The Citizen, 2016-10-20, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016.
Winter weather strains gas, electrical vehicle systems
NC — Just when you thought you makes it worse. Plus, snow, ice, and
were already way too familiar with slush compete with salt, gravel and
winter's downsides, it turns out sand to grab at your tires and make
facing the cold season means more your engine work harder.
for your car than just a set of winter • The gas you use does less:
tires. Driving in long Canadian Gasoline blends are adjusted to
winters can make your wallet account for seasonal temperatures.
unpleasantly light, and here's why: For example, a litre of winter gas
• You use more gas in the winter: has less energy than a litre of
A drop in temperature from 24°C to summer gas, as much as three per
7°C can raise fuel consumption in cent less. Add that to the higher gas
urban commutes by as much as 28 use winter brings, and it's a double
per cent. holiday helping of hurt for your
With the cold comes dry winter air wallet.
that's denser than summer's humid • Winter driving puts more
air, which spells bad news for your strain on your electrical system:
gas tank. The colder temperature Cold weather brings more electrical
increases the aerodynamic drag on strain on your car than just using the
your car, and adding winter's higher hot air and heated seats. Shorter days
average wind speed to the drag only mean more headlight and interior
light use. Cold mornings mean more
heating and defrosting windows and
mirrors.
Nasty weather means more
windshield wiping and using the
washer pump to spray all that
antifreeze. And all the electrical
systems in your car get their power
from the engine which means, you
guessed it, more gas consumed.
So what can you do? Despite all
the added costs of winter driving,
you can make a difference for
yourself at the pump by doing
something as simple as keeping an
eye on your tire pressure or using a
block heater with a timer in the
morning instead of idling. In fact,
keeping your tires at the right
pressure can completely offset
The billion dollar problem
Automobile theft costs Canadians $1 billion per year according to the Insurance Bureau of
Canada. To make a car a less attractive target to a thief, which will cut down on insurance
premiums paid throughout the country, park in well -lit areas, keep vehicles locked both when
they are parked and being driven and avoid keyless ignition systems. (MS Photo)
Parking smart can prevent theft
Continued from page 19
keyless ignition systems once
they're inside a car. Reprogramming
devices are not legal, but they are
available and can be used to shut off
automobile alarm systems in a
matter of seconds.
• Lock your vehicle at all times:
One of the simplest ways to protect a
vehicle from prospective thieves is
to always lock the windows and
doors, even when you're inside the
vehicle. Auto thieves like things to
go quickly and smoothly and locked
doors and rolled up windows only
complicate things for thieves. Get in
the habit of locking the vehicle when
you're driving, as unlocked doors
#1 And We
Still Try Harder
Recent circulation figures
show The Citizen has the
highest circulation in the
northern part of
Huron County,
#3 in the entire county.
The Citizen
Proudly Community -Owned
Since 1985
make it easier for carjackers to
surprise unsuspecting motorists.
• Park smart: Some motorists
like to park far away so their
vehicles are not at risk of being
dinged or scratched by inattentive
drivers and passengers getting into
and out of nearby vehicles. Others
may simply not have the patience to
find parking spots in well -lit areas
close to home or storefronts. But
thieves may target vehicles parked
nowhere near foot or automobile
traffic. Always park in parking
garages or other well -lit areas, which
deter thieves from breaking in and
driving away with your vehicle.
• Etch the VIN onto your
windows: Car thieves are not in the
auto theft business so they can build
a fleet of stolen cars. Upon stealing a
car, many car thieves head right for a
chop shop, which is a place where
stolen cars are disassembled and
then sold for parts. By etching the
VIN (vehicle identification number)
of your car or truck on your vehicle's
windshield or windows, you may be
making your car less attractive to
prospective thieves and the chop
shops they do business with.
Vehicle theft remains a problem
even as technology has done much
to prevent it. But drivers can take
steps to reduce their risk of being
victimized by car thieves.
TUNE-UP TIME
Make sure your car is ready for the road
- brake service - oil, lube, filter
- tires - battery service
and much more
Service and repairs to all makes
of cars and light trucks
JOHN HOCKEY'S
Automotive Repair
519-356-9000
6590 Perth Line 72, Atwood
the lower -energy winter gas in Find more information online at
your tank.
vehicles.gc.ca.
CUSTOM EXHAUST SYSTEMS
& GENERAL REPAIRS
• Auto, light truck & agricultural
maintenance & repairs
• Custom bent exhaust systems
made with precision & pride
• Aluminized & stainless tubing
• Bending up to 3"
• Expanding up to 4"
• Diesel 4" & 5" systems
Bob Jamieson - Class A Mechanic
519 -482 -pipe (7473)
41477 Winthrop Rd.
Londesboro, ON
liorwismo\
ffOWMASIER
MAGI !LO W
AUBURN AUTO TRIM
• Truck Accessories
• Truck Caps
• New & Used Truck Toppers
• Tri -Fold Covers
• Box Liners
• Stainless Steel Set Bars
38505 Blyth Rd., Auburn • 519-526-1078
Get your car or truck ready for
the cold weather •• book your
Fall & Winter tune-up
• General Repairs & Maintenance
• Brakes • Tune -Ups
• Repairs to all makes and models of cars & trucks
McClinchey
South End Auto
Wayne McClinchey
82991 London Road, South of Blyth
519-523-4424
r
BOOK FALL DRIPLESS
UNDERCOAT
and receive a
320 Tim Hortons
Gift Card!
Offer good with coupon
f
L J
Look for the Red Roof!
dry
Mechanical Repair & Used Car Sales
30 Ontario St., Clinton - 519-482-8439
Email: aandt@bellnet.ca
Give your car an
extra push to get
through winter
Oil Change Service
$39"
Up to 5 qts. semi synthetic oil & free
disposal (most cars and light trucks)
Brake Special
20/Off Service
Front or Rear Axle
(most cars and Tight trucks)