Winter Driving

Winter isn’t over yet, which means there’s certain to still be a few hurdles to overcome when it comes to driving in the snow and ice.

Winter driving requires careful handling and preparation in a standard runaround, but there are many more factors that need to be considered when driving a classic make and model in these conditions. In this blog post, we reveal our top tips for using your classic car this winter.

Give your classic car a check up

Starting and running your classic vehicle when it’s particularly cold requires a little more care and attention. As well as having age against it, the components that make up your classic car may be more fragile than the same components found on a modern-day vehicle. These delicate parts can become particularly vulnerable as temperatures dip.

Giving your classic car regular check-ups throughout the winter months, especially if you’re due to drive in snowy or icy conditions, is therefore a must.

Take it easy when driving this winter

Your classic car may also need more time to warm up ahead of its wintry outing so be sure to account for this, especially if your journey takes you to the motorway or a single/dual carriageway. If your classic vehicle is fitted with cross-ply tyres, as many models are, fitting snow tyres is recommended to ensure you gain the traction you need to maintain the highest level of safety when driving on winter roads.

When driving in snow and ice, keep your speed low to ensure effective control, and the smoothest and safest ride.

Beware of the salt!

In winter, it’s not just the snow and ice that can put your vehicle at risk without the right precautions. The damage that can be caused by gritted or salted roads can be particularly devastating for owners of classic cars.

Repeated exposure to road salt can cause corrosion, resulting in the formation of rust which can penetrate your vehicle’s paintwork deeply. Whilst on the surface bubbled up paint can be easily remedied, underneath the metal that makes up your vehicle’s body can become brittle and permanently damaged.

With this, we’d always recommend treating your classic car with a coat of anti-corrosion spray to safeguard against the damaging effects of road salt. When spraying your vehicle, don’t forget to coat under the chassis to protect your classic’s most vulnerable parts.