Recommissioning after storage

The first drive of spring is when stored cars fail: a stuck brake, a perished hose, a fuel leak that was not there in October. A methodical hour before that drive is the whole of the art.

Before the engine turns

• Fluids: oil, coolant, brake and clutch fluid, checked for level and condition. Look for evidence of leaks that developed while the car sat.
• The fuel system: smell for petrol around the pump, lines and carburettors before cranking. A leak that drips onto a hot exhaust is the storage failure with the worst consequences.
• The battery: charged, terminals clean and tight.
• Tyres: pressure, condition and age, plus a look at the spare.
• Belts and hoses: squeeze and inspect, especially any hose that has held the same coolant for years.

The brakes, always

Storage attacks brakes: pistons stick in their bores, the handbrake mechanism bonds to its discs, and fluid that has absorbed moisture corrodes from inside. Before any road speed, confirm the pedal is firm, the car stops straight at walking pace and each corner releases freely. A dragging wheel after the first short run is a brake asking for attention, not one to drive through.

The first run

Make the first drive short, gentle and close to home, and let the engine reach full temperature. Listen for new noises, watch the gauges, and check for leaks and hot smells afterwards on the drive. Anything found now is a small job. The same thing found fifty miles from home is a recovery truck.