Millers Oils Cares About Your Classic Vehicle

Here we are in October: the nights are drawing in, the weather has most definitely turned, and it looks like we may have a long winter ahead of us. Time to protect the classic cars and motorcycles we love.

It’s undoubtedly been a tough year with a lot of uncertainty, but rest assured that Millers Oils Classic treatment range can take one worry off your mind, and will see your vehicle through until spring.

Here are some top tips from Mark Crossley, Millers Oils’ very own technical guru, for laying up for the winter:

Check your oil

Engine oil can degrade over time. If vehicles aren’t doing many miles there’s increased chance of fuel dilution, which promotes oil oxidation and degradation. I’d recommend an oil change, or at least an oil sample to check the condition before lay-up, in order to maximise engine component protection over winter. Classic Preservation Oil 20w50 is an ideal engine oil to use for lay-up: with vapour inhibition additive, by the time you’re ready to use your vehicle next year you’ll have a corrosion-free engine filled with fresh oil for the new season.

Protect against corrosion

For non-painted areas including the underneath of the vehicle and suspension components, use a multi-purpose lubricant such as Dewatering 1782 for light corrosion protection, or for more robust and long-lasting protection, use PW11 Wax Film to underseal the vehicle.

Fill her up

A full tank of fuel will limit any condensation forming in the fuel system, and help to avoid potential corrosion. Don’t forget to use Millers Oil Tank Safe (which can be used in both petrol and diesel engines) for additional corrosion protection through vapour phase inhibition, and to improve carburettor cleanliness.

For vintage and classic vehicles, I’d recommend adding VSPe Power Plus to your fuel. This will protect against adverse effects of ethanol in modern fuels up to and including E10, as well as adding lead replacement, octane enhancement and a light detergent for the fuel system.

For modern classics blighted by ethanol, choose our EPS to add to your fuel and protect against the corrosive nature of modern fuels.

Clean and polish

Give your car or motorcycle some final TLC at the end of the season. I’d recommend a wash using your favourite wash and wax car shampoo to make sure the paint is in tip top condition before storage.

Storage

The best place to store your vehicle over winter is a heated garage, and left on trickle charge. If you don’t have access to a garage then try to ensure it’s as protected from the elements as possible, and disconnect your battery so you’re able to start up again in spring.

Check the condition of your tyres and slightly overinflate to avoid any side wall damage.

If you have any technical questions about any of the products mentioned, contact technical@millersoils.co.uk or 01484 475060