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All too often, muscle cars fall prey to negligence and damage that could have been easily prevented with proper care and maintenance.
That bright shiny muscle car sitting in the driveway is the pride and joy that has taken so many hours of attention that it may seem like a marriage. In a way, it is. People love their cars almost as much as they love their families. Some perhaps a little more than others. It would be a shame to see that muscle car spring a leak, blow a head, or even throw a rod through the bottom of the block.
These break-downs happen all too often—damage that could have been prevented with some basic maintenance procedures done in time. Whether the work is done personally or not, makes no difference. On that note, let's discuss a few of the worst mistakes that you can make when it comes to the maintenance of your gorgeous muscle car.
Rust spots are a common issue found on older cars that have been in the weather. The reason is that rust is a reaction to iron and oxygen when they are both present to an outside catalyst, such as water or air moisture. A common catalyst that wreaks havoc on your car is humidity in high salt areas, such as around a beach by a body of saltwater.
What this means is that the body panels, frame, and suspension parts, and even pieces of metal that have been used to support or connect the surrounding areas fall prey to corrosion. Rust will literally eat away at your muscle car. It can weaken frames and joints to the point of being dangerous to drive. The body panels will end up with huge, gaping holes that have been formed by extensive rust spots, and floor boards will open up leaving gaping holes where your feet are supposed to go.
Related: 5 Cars That Are Notorious Rust Buckets (And 5 That Never Rust)
So, you are in the middle of the local retail store, and you remember that you need some brake fluid for your old muscle car that you have been working on. The only option on the shelf is one that is marketed as a “universal” type that can be used in any car, of any age. If you read the specifications, you would realize that it will not work for your ride, but you are in a hurry and throw it into your cart, and off you go.
Once you put the brake fluid into your car, which it was not designed for, you have done one of two things: it will not be rated for the proper temperature level and your brakes will melt, or it may not absorb the amount of water needed, causing the brakes to fail. Basically, a universal type of any fluid should be avoided at all costs. It can prevent brake issues, transmission issues, engine issues, or cooling system problems.
We have all cringed at the sight of an engine-shaped light when it lights up the dash console. It's the car talking to you, warning you that something is wrong with the car. If you have not kept up on your maintenance tasks, it could be a simple thing to fix, such as a new air filter. On newer cars, if the "check engine" light stays on, it is usually a warning that something needs your attention. If it blinks, park the car until you find out what it is, unless you want a muscle car that needs extensive, costly repairs.
Let’s run through another quick scenario, so you understand the steps of the check engine light. The light originally comes on because you have been driving down some old dirt roads, clogging your air filter with dust. You ignore the light when it first comes on because you know what the problem is. After a while of not changing the filter, your car has an oxygen sensor go out because the car is not running properly. This is a much more expensive fix that is not as simple. If that is left unfixed, the next step will be a catalytic converter malfunctioning and having to be replaced. A basic engine light that is ignored leads to more complex problems, ones that cost you time and money.
Car experts have been saying for decades that you should never let your car's fuel tank go below a quarter of a tank. There are a few simple reasons for this rule. Simple reasons that can easily turn into serious problems. Older muscle cars will tend to build sediments in the bottom of the tank due to the metal used in the production process. This can be sucked up by the fuel filter and plug it, the lines, injectors, or the carburetor. You get the idea.
In newer cars, fuel tanks are made of high-density plastic, so they are not as prone to getting any build-up in the bottom. Going below a quarter tank of fuel in these newer muscle cars can cause the fuel pump to work harder, burning the pump up due to overheating. Another problem that can happen in any type of car is water in the fuel. As long as the tank is kept over a quarter, the water will not be sucked out by the pump, but once the levels get below that, the water will end up in your fuel lines and engine.
Related: These American Muscle Cars May Be Cool...But They'll Cost You A Fortune In Repairs
We all take time to wash the muscle car that we spend so much time with. It is common to see people like us with a hose and a bucket of warm water out shining up our already-clean car. We have been taught since we were young that hot soapy water is what you want to clean with, so warm water and dish soap are a common choice when washing the car.
Dish soap is not a viable choice, though. It can eat through the clear coat of your pristine paint job. Household chemicals are designed to clean the house, not the car that can be harmed by anything acidic. Buy some cleaner designed for cars and use it as directed. Never grab the bottle of dish soap and use it as a substitute.
Checking the fluid levels should be as routine as putting gas in the tank. Unfortunately, it is a task that many people avoid doing. Perhaps it is too much effort to lift the hood and check the dipstick. Or maybe it is something that you expect your significant other to do.
None of these reasons are acceptable. Checking your fluids should be done at least once a month to prevent damage due to lack of lubrication. The point of the fluids in your car is to keep things lubricated and running smoothly, or to keep engine components cool and at optimal operating temperatures.
A muscle car is built with power and torque in mind. You have been told for years that you never want to let the horses out to play when it is cold. This means that you do not want to push the engine in your car when it is cold. Drive gently and slowly until the engine has time to warm up completely. On the other hand, you have been told not to let your car idle in the cold, giving it too much time to warm up.
There is a middle-ground that you can achieve and still be able to stay within both rules. The engine needs to warm up enough where the fluids are flowing freely and all the areas of the motor are at an even temperature. If you take off too soon, the engine will have hot and cold spots, which could cause severe damage to the motor. If you allow the car to warm up longer than necessary, you are not only wasting gas, but you are causing more wear and tear.
Related: 10 Notoriously Expensive Repairs You Can Easily Prevent
Older muscle cars can overheat for a number of reasons, all of which should be addressed. Many will push it to the limits, though. Driving until the temperature gauge reads all the way to the top of hot, then pulling over to let it cool. After a few minutes, the car cools down a little so off we go again, just trying to make it back home.
This type of behavior will not end well for your car. When the engine overheats it can cause the heads to warp, which in turn will cause performance issues and eventual permanent engine damage if not dealt with. Overheating the engine can also melt wires, harnesses, and sensors. The bottom line is if your pride and joy is running hot, park it and solve the problem before you cause more severe damage.
The filters in your muscle car can be compared to the filters in your body. The air filter allows the car to breathe similar to a pair of lungs. The fuel filter makes sure that fuel gets to the motor, and only fuel, no contaminants are allowed to pass through, kind of like your liver. Oil filters keep the oil flowing while trapping particles that could cause damage to the inside of the engine, just like your kidneys.
If the air or fuel is starved from the system, your muscle car will not perform correctly. It can cause spitting, spurting, loss of power, and even stalling. The air-fuel mixture must be precise in order for the car to run at its most optimal level. Oil filters prevent particles from entering into the engine, and the pistons, preventing damage that could be done. Severe damage such as scored piston walls or plugged oil pumps can happen if the filter is neglected.
Related: This Is The Best Performance Air Filter
Your muscle car would not drive properly without suspension parts being in tip-top shape, and your alignment set for the type of driving that you do. These two basic maintenance tasks are two of the most neglected ones. Most of the time, this is not something that can be fixed at home, especially the alignment. You can make a good guess, but unless you have the proper equipment it will not be perfect.
The suspension and alignment work together. If you have some suspension parts that are bad, your alignment will be off. If your alignment is off, your suspension parts will wear out faster. These issues will decrease the performance of your car and will cost you extra money due to the premature wear and tear on the parts.
Your muscle car is the center of your attention and the attention of any people that drive by. When out on the road there is no greater adrenalin rush than stomping on the pedal, feeling the horses open up under the hood, and being thrown back into the seat as the car launches forward. Nothing compares, except maybe taking the same car up onto the highway and letting all the power loose.
Basic maintenance tasks can increase the life of the car and can keep the performance levels up to the standards that are expected. Most of the tasks that need to be done on a regular basis are simple ones that you can do at home. Some may need a professional shop to get things perfect, but if you own a muscle car you should already have a mechanic that you trust.
I have been a professional freelance writer for over twenty years. Mostly ghostwriting for other people but I do have a couple of websites that I run. I specialize in articles about the automotive industries, and on the side I take cars from the junkyard, rebuild them, and sell to people in need.