[November 25, 2014] |
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GEICO offers tips to keep your classic car in top condition this winter
WASHINGTON --(Business Wire)--
Cold weather is usually the cue for classic car owners to place their
prized possessions in storage away from the elements. Even with your car
tucked away until spring, experienced car enthusiast know that hitting
the road will require some prep work during the winter. GEICO offers the
following tips
to help classic car owners protect and winterize their cars so spring
road trips will be a breeze.
1.
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Drain the fuel tank - Old gasoline contains deposits that
can clog your car's carburetor and cause your valves to work
improperly. Drain and replace your car's fuel to prevent
contaminated gas from entering the fuel system. Add a fuel
stabilizer to keep the gas from breaking down.
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2.
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Change the oil - Once you have your classic car parked for
the winter, change the oil to prevent moisture from building up
and condensing in a cold engine. The clean oil will also reduce
the risk of harmful contaminants from damaging your engine during
hibernation.
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3.
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Bleed the brake system - Bleeding your car's old brake
fluid is the best insurance against brake deterioration while your
car is inactive. Remember to replace it with fresh brake fluid
when you are ready to get back out on the road.
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4.
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Inspect the hoses and belts - If you store your car for a
long period of time, thoroughly examine the car's hoses, belts,
tires and filters for wear and tear and dry rot.
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5.
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Replace the coolant - During the winter, it is wise to
drain and replace the coolant from your car's radiator completely.
Disconnect the heater hoses and open the petcock with the radiator
cap off so air can circulate freely throughout the system. Make
sure to top off your car with fresh antifreeze.
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6.
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Remove and store the battery - Months of inactivity will
drain a car's battery. Disconnect the battery and wash it with a
solution of water and baking soda. Top the battery off with
distilled water and store it on a shelf in a dry place until you
are ready to reconnect it. Using a battery tender will keep the
battery fully charged during storage.
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7.
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Give your car a good detailing - Before you put your ride
away for the winter; detail your car with soap and water to wash
away any residual road salt and grime. Salt can ruin a car's paint
job if left over time. A thorough waxing and lubricating all
rubber and leather interior surfaces will prevent rotting and
cracking.
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8.
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Cover up your ride - The right car cover goes a long way to
protect your vehicle during the winter months. A cotton flannel
car cover will allow air to circulate, keep out unwanted moisture
and is also easy on the car's exterior paint.
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GEICO
(Government Employees Insurance Company) is a member of the Berkshire
Hathaway family of companies and is the second-largest private passenger
auto insurance company in the United States. GEICO, which was founded in
1936, provides millions of auto
insurance quotes to U.S. drivers annually. The company is pleased to
serve more than 13 million private passenger customers and insures more
than 22 million vehicles (auto & cycle).
GEICO's online
service center helps policyholders take care of policy sales, policy
changes and claims reporting, and print insurance ID cards.
Policyholders can also connect to GEICO through the GEICO
App, reach a representative over
the phone or visit a GEICO
local agent.
GEICO also provides insurance quotes on motorcycles,
all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), travel trailers and motorhomes (RVs).
Coverage for boats, life, homes and apartments is written by
non-affiliated insurance companies and is secured through the GEICO
Insurance Agency, Inc. Commercial auto insurance and personal umbrella
protection are also available.
For more information, go to www.geico.com.
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