Tyres and paintwork.

If you inflate the tyres during winter parking, check the condition of the tyres before reducing their pressure to the nominal values stated on the fuel filler flap. Pay attention to cracks in the rubber, especially on the sides where the tyres are the thinnest. If you notice something disturbing, it is best to avoid longer journeys on tyres that require replacement and arrange a tyre service immediately.

Sometimes, after a longer period of non-use, one or more tyres may completely deflate. There are many reasons for this, but the most common is a faulty valve, which may be replaced at any tyre service station. Do not drive your car with a flat tyre, as this may damage not only the tyre, but also the rim.

Many owners of classic vehicles put covers on their cars to protect the windows and paintwork from dust and other factors. If you washed your car thoroughly in autumn, before installing the cover, the vehicle should look as beautiful as on the day of covering.

If you suspect that dust or other contaminants could settle on the car before putting the cover, ask your friends or family members to help you remove the cover without too much contact with the paintwork. Few drivers know that dry-wiping a dusty car causes the paintwork to be scratched with particles of dust. You will see the micro-cracks only in the sun or in with the help of special lamps used in detailing studios. When you discover the micro-cracks, your car qualifies for polishing, which is particularly effective on non-metallic paints, polished to a high gloss. In order to save time and avoid unnecessary costs, it is better to spend a few more minutes on a touchless car wash rinsing the layer of dust or contaminations and then wiping the car body with a special microfiber towel.

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Fluids and fuel.

When checking the tyre pressure, it is also worth taking a look under the car and check for any signs of leakages. If you discover a stain under the car, it is best to wipe it with a tissue or a paper towel and then put e.g. a piece of cardboard in the same place to check if the leak repeats. Before you throw away the tissue or towel used to wipe the stain under the car, check its colour and consistency to discover the origin of the leak. This will facilitate finding the cause under the hood of the car. The location of the stain, as well as its colour and size is an important information for servicing technicians.

Another essential part of starting up is checking the condition and consistency of all fluids you have access to. Engine oil dipstick, gearbox oil dipstick, coolant condition, its colour and consistency - these basic parameters will help you safely start a classic car after a longer break.

Adding fuel to a full tank and possible topping up the fuel injection system with a cleaning agent for is another activity important for the efficiency of the system.

Fill the tank with fresh fuel if you are sure that there is no corrosion in the tank. Best practice is to empty the tank and inspect it before filling it with fresh fuel.

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Battery.

The battery is also very important component. The basic operation is to check the battery voltage and connect it observing the correct polarity. If you did not charge the battery during winter stoppage, your car may not start. The best way to charge the battery is outside the car. A deeply discharged,' sulphated' battery may overheat during charging. In extreme cases it may lose its sealing and leak electrolyte, which is highly corrosive to the metal parts of the car.

First engine start-up.

As you know - the engine is lubricated with oil when it is running – during a particularly long operational break, the oil flows down to the lower parts. After a long standstill, the oil film may be interrupted, thus the engine operation would generate very high friction. The best solution is to turn the starter on, but not allowing the fuel-air mixture to ignite. Most Mercedes models have an oil pressure sensor that should be monitored to check if the pressure is rising. After a few pumping actions and making sure that the oil has been distributed through the system, you can deliver fuel to the injection / carburettor system and try to start the car.

After starting, the engine should work idle for a few minutes to be sure that the engine warms up slowly. We suggest to turn on the heating in order to bleed the heater. During this time, apart from oil pressure, special attention should be paid to the temperature of the coolant.

If the parameters are normal, verify the operation of the drive unit in order to check the correct functioning of the ignition system. Check the colour and smell of the exhaust gases to verify that the injection system is functioning properly. Remember to open the garage! The accumulation of exhaust gases in a closed room is a threat to your health!

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Lamps, brakes, clutch.

Other important components that require operational check include lamps, braking system and clutch. You can check the lamps yourself by placing a mirror opposite the front or rear lights of your car.

After starting the engine, you can also check clutching of gears and the clutch pedal without moving the vehicle, paying attention to any disturbing noise after pressing or releasing the clutch pedal.

Test Drive.

We recommend starting the vehicle and rolling it slowly to check its braking ability. Drive first few miles with extreme caution. We recommend to turn off the radio to hear any disturbing noises. The tyres, the braking system and the driveline, must be properly lubricated and operated. After a few miles, we recommend to check the operating fluids, their condition, colour and consistency.

Can I handle it?

If you do not have the time or skills, or are just afraid to start your classic car first time after a longer break, Legends Duda-Cars will take care of your vehicle. Our service offers a full check and any necessary repairs before setting off to new journeys. If you highly value your time, check our door-to-door service: we will take your car to the workshop and deliver it after the inspection to the indicated address.

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Zestaw do pielęgnacji wnętrza auta Mercedes-Benz

Dwa wszechstronne produkty pielęgnacyjne: balsam do kokpitu i płyn do spryskiwaczy, wnętrze (oba produkty posiadają certyfikat ECARF) oraz szklana gąbka (podkładka ze skóry syntetycznej) i ściereczka do okien.

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Zestaw do pielęgnacji zewnętrznej auta Mercedes-Benz

Dwa wszechstronne produkty pielęgnacyjne: szampon samochodowy i środek do czyszczenia felg z gąbką i rękawiczką oraz gąbka samochodowa i ściereczka samochodowa (imitacja skóry).

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