Quick Fixes

[Moggie25]

Next month I collect my first ever Caterham, a Sigma powered Superlight 150. I’m excited beyond words! The car will be my primary mode of transport (the wife has a Golf but she uses that) and it will live outside for most of the year. I’ve been reading through the forum and keep coming across ‘quick-fixes’ which help protect the car or improve it in some way. For example:

Replace standard fuses with LED fuses
Place insulation tap on leading edge of wishbones to protect from stone chips
ACF50 / POR15 etc. the chassis

What are your ‘quick-fixes’ or what would be on your to-do-list if you were collecting a new (used) car for everyday use?

[downsman]

I would buy plenty of corrosion inhibitor and spray it liberally along the sides of the engine bay and around the fuel tank/rear suspension. I like Dinitrol cavity wax.

[grenpayne]

I guess simple stuff, like make sure it's got a decent battery in it and ensure the tyres are up to scratch, it'll most likely have CR500s on which are ok in the wet. If it was me, I'd also invest in a decent car cover (or possibly a CarCoon). Definitely treat the chassis as mentioned or it'll deteriorate. Oh and make sure you're familiar with putting the hood up quickly

[anonymous-user]

Go aero.

[framerateuk]

I'd recommend a battery conditioner. I've got a CTEK one and it's been great.

[snapper seven]

I'm reading that the OP will use it as a regular (daily?) driver. Would doubt you'd need a battery conditioner if it is.

I'd suggest getting a half hood and a shower cap, will be far easier to live with day to day than a full hood.

Also re the car cover, I would only use a framed cover such as an AirFlow chamber, rather than a fabric cover, you'll just rub grit and dirt into the paint.

[k20erham]

Get it trackered, Acutrak ETC, the very best/most you can afford just so much piece of mind, I've had my R1 recovered twice, stolen when away from home once outside the cinema in Greenwich in the afternoon!!! and the other a multi-story and also found my superlite 3 streets away at 3am when they put a pair of vice grips on the steering shaft when the steering wheel had been removed, and it was left in gear (Sadev sequential) Geartronics and no gearlever!!!left outside my house for 2 nights as I was going to work in it,went the 2nd night (normally kept else where) thats London for you.

[framerateuk]

I highly recommend fitting a high level brake light too.

Caterham sell one but it's quite expensive. I built mine from parts from Maplins for less than £20. It does the job brilliantly and makes sure people see me when I brake!

[onward]

framerateuk said:

I highly recommend fitting a high level brake light too.

Caterham sell one but it's quite expensive. I built mine from parts from Maplins for less than £20. It does the job brilliantly and makes sure people see me when I brake!

can you post a pic of it please? intrigued

[K800 RUM]

Well done for being a caterham daily driver, unlike us fair weather softies.
Has your superlight got the removeable steering wheel? A useful thing I did if you don't always want to carry it around with you is a steel cable bike lock looped around the roll bar in the boot. Lock the wheel to this when not in use. Simples.
Agree about the high level brake light, a must have. Car builder solutions to a good range. I have the second longest, 40 LED I think, really bright.