Two Maintenance Procedures You Should Perform After Buying A Used Sports Car

Before you take your new-to-you sports car out for spirited drives on twisty backroads or outings at the race track, you should make sure the tires, wheels, and suspension system are all in tip-top shape.

Tire and Wheel Inspection

A lot of modern sports cars come equipped with large-diameter wheels and low-profile tires. The combination looks really cool and sporty, but it also makes the sidewall of your tires and wheels more prone to damage from potholes and curbs.

A damaged sidewall isn't merely a cosmetic blemish. It can weaken the structural integrity of your tire and make it more likely to blow out at high speeds. With your wheels, it can make them wobbly, which can even allow air leaks if the damage is deep enough.

To avoid those issues, have your tires and wheels inspected by a professional tire shop. Make sure there is no pothole or curb damage that can lead to safety issues.

Your tire repair shop should also inspect the tread depth and overall health of the tires' rubber compound. If the tires are overly worn or hardened due to a long life, you should have them replaced with fresh rubber right away. Your car will drive a lot safer and will handle high-speed corners better as well.

Suspension System Inspection

Your tires, wheels, and suspension system go hand in hand when it comes to making your car handle turns safely and reliably. Worn-out shocks, bushings, and loose stabilizing components can lead to unpredictable handling and poor road-holding ability. That can make your car dangerous and ruin its sporty nature.

Have your suspension system fully inspected. Make sure the shocks are in good operational health and free of any leaks. Have all of the suspension bushings and bearings inspected for signs of degradation too. Rubber bearings and boots are especially prone to wear-and-tear over time due to dry rot or the general stress of being stressed and compressed constantly.

If everything looks to be in tip-top shape, have all of the bushings and joints freshly lubed and greased. That will keep them in good health for longer while ensuring your suspension system remains as smooth and quiet as possible. While your mechanic is at it, make sure they check every nut and bolt too. Ask them to add rush-preventative spray to any rusted hardware to ensure that it doesn't break down or become brittle over time.

Finally, ask them to re-torque everything to spec so that you can enjoy your coming spirited drives with the peace of mind that your suspension is working as efficiently as it did the day your car left the assembly line.