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Spring brings longer days, sunshine and warmer weather, but most importantly it brings another exciting season of pleasure drives and car shows. After a long winter, you will need to prepare your car for its first drive. It is important to perform a pre-travel check. This should include:
- check tire air pressure, including spare
- locate jack, tire iron and hubcap tool
- inspect belts and hoses (rubber can dry rot in storage)
- ensure lights, including signals, are operational
- check condition of carburetor air filter
- change in-line fuel filter
- repair any brake or engine irregular performance
In addition, don’t be alarmed if there are oil or fluid leaks under your car. This is common when cars are in long-term storage. Seals and gaskets often shrink causing the car to leak and they will begin to expand and reseal again once the car is driven. Because of the fluid loss, you should check all fluid levels, engine oil and coolant, brake master cylinder, differential gear oil, transmission fluid and power steering fluid before driving the car. You should continue to check fluids until the leakage stabilizes.
Taking your car for a pleasure drive on a beautiful day is only one way of enjoying the hobby, and attending car events is another. Whether you show your car or enjoy strolling through aisles of collector vehicles and vendors, car events are a great way to spend time with your family and friends. Here are a few tips to maximize your car show fun & safety:
- Take a kid to a car show! Sharing your appreciation & enthusiasm for collector cars is a great way to nurture a kid’s interest in the hobby. A recent survey of over 800 American Collectors policyholders showed that 69% of collectors got into the hobby because of a friend or family member.
- Car shows are usually very crowded events – be cautious when you carry cash. Keep your cash or wallet secure by carrying it in your front pocket (or wear a pouch).
- If the weather is warm & you’re walking around, it’s easy to get dehydrated. Carry some drinking water with you, even if food & drink is being sold at the event.
- Consider purchasing an emergency expense reimbursement plan for extra peace-of-mind when driving your classic. American Collectors offers a TLC (Towing & Labor for Collectors) Plan*, tailored expressly for car collectors. Offered in 3 levels of coverage, the plan offers reimbursement for things other towing plans do not, such as car show registration fees and non-refundable hotel expenses when you cannot attend a car show due to mechanical breakdown. Find out more about the TLC Plan and add it to your policy by clicking here.
Be safe and have a blast this car show season!
*State availability varies. |