Muscle cars are among the most sought-after cars among automobile enthusiasts. Many of the original versions, which have gigantic fire-breathing engines and a more typical pony car look, are now worth many times what they were worth at the time of launch. So, if you already own a muscle car, you should take the necessary precautions to prevent your classic car from degrading over time. Offering optimal maintenance to your muscle car will help to safeguard its market value and guarantee that it is always at peak performance. In this post, we will explore the best preventive maintenance tips for your muscle car. They include the following:
1. Wash and Wax Regularly
Washing your muscle car often is the first step in keeping its paint finish in good shape. You should wash your car, at least, once a week using a high-quality car wash detergent and warm water for the best results. This will keep your car looking brand new.
After properly cleaning the automobile, dry all of the surfaces with a clean cloth. As soon as the automobile is totally dry, apply auto wax or polish, following the directions on the label. This will help to protect the paint from damaging UV rays and water stains when it rains.
2. Don`t Let It Sit for Long
Keeping your car active by driving it is one of the best preventive maintenance tips for muscle cars. We understand that getting your car costs quite a fortune, including the maintenance costs. You are probably weary of driving it regularly to avoid any potential harm to your beloved car. However, letting your car sit for long is not the best way to care for it; most of the moving parts of the car need to be in motion often to work optimally.
Instead of letting your car sit idle in your garage, go for a ride and let the world see how much effort you are putting into the maintenance of your classic car. That being said, while driving your car helps to keep it in good shape, you should avoid driving excessively long distances. So, if you want to move to another city, consider contacting a tow truck company to avoid causing wear and tear to your muscle car due to driving long distances.
3. Leave Some Fuel in the Tank Before Letting It Sit
As we mentioned earlier, it is best to ensure that your muscle car does not sit idle for too long and give the engine a tune-up now and again. However, if you must leave your car parked for a lengthy period, fill up the fuel tank beforehand. This is because oil condensation and other types of condensation are prone to occur in empty gasoline tanks, which may harm the interior components of your car.
However, keep in mind that fuel has a shelf life of around 30 days and may cause damage to the car if not emptied on a regular basis.
4. Apply Lubricant to Rust-Prone Areas
Rust is metal’s most dangerous adversary. And since muscle cars are mostly made of metal, you should exercise extra caution to protect your classic car from rusting. It is strongly advised to treat the most susceptible areas of your car on a regular basis with a high-quality lubricant to prevent rusting. This is because, if left unchecked, the rust-prone areas can easily accumulate plenty of rust in a short time.
5. Find a Good Mechanic
One area where you should not cut corners is finding a suitable mechanic for your muscle car. This is because muscle cars are high-performance cars with complex components that not all mechanics can handle, so you must find a mechanic who is skilled in muscle cars in general and your specific model in particular. This will ensure that your classic car has many happy years ahead of it. Regardless of whether anything seems amiss with your automobile, you should schedule frequent checks with your mechanic.
6. Keep it Dry
Driving in the rain is not ideal for your car, as it can wash off the waxing and polishing. But sometimes, we can`t help but drive, even while it is raining. The best bet is to ensure you thoroughly wash off any filth that has accumulated in the engine compartment while driving in the rain. Then, thoroughly wipe every area that your hand could reach dry. In some cases, it might also be a good idea to rewax your muscle car to improve its water resistance.
7. Choose a High-Quality Car Cover
Always have a high-quality cover designed expressly for your muscle car on hand in case you find yourself in a scenario where you can’t keep your car in a garage. If you do this, your automobile will be safe from the elements and protected from serious damage since the cover provides good protection. On the contrary, this should only be a temporary precaution, and muscle cars should never be left outdoors for prolonged periods.
8. Check the Fluid Levels in Your Car
Before you head out for a ride in your muscle car, double-check that all of the fluid levels in your car are right. The essential fluid levels to check for include the levels of water, oil, coolant, and brake fluid. When traveling long distances, ensure you pack extra fluids to refill in case they run out. However, when buying essential car fluids, it is important to ensure you buy the type or quality that is best suited for your muscle car.
Your Car Deserves Maintenance
If you own a muscle car, you have to ensure that it is always in good shape. This is important both for your car and your safety, too. Carrying out regular preventive maintenance on your muscle car would ensure that it continues to operate optimally for many years. The various tips shared in this post can help you give your classic car the maintenance and care it deserves. Interestingly, many of the preventive maintenance tips in this post are do-it-yourself actions that can be performed without the assistance of a professional mechanic or specialized equipment.