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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1970-11-12, Page 19• RicLAUGHLIN MOTORS Complete Collision Service FORD - MERCURY DEALER PHONE 527-1140 SEAFORTH • iati:igi040:# PLUGS ( lieLpJ JOYCE "This is the exact spot where our canoe tipped over last summer!" THE HURON EXPOSITOR, SEAFORTH, ONT., NOV. 12, 1970-51 The More Modern the Car, the More Care Needed Importance of Service Will Grow As Manufacturers Produce More Sophisticated Automobiles By DOUGLAS W. TOMS Director, National Highway Safety Bureau Not long ago we' heard a prediction that the next few years would find the U.S. auto industry building cars that will be totally garage-proof — serving out their useful life from assembly line to junk heap without need for servicing. The prediction made no mention of "Car-Care" —that essential responsibility of the owner, spelling the difference between risk of life and investment and the security of bgth during the life of the vehicle. „s Most of us remember when a good garage mechanic could tell by the sound and feel — by the seat, of his pants as the saying goes — what ailed the family car. Matter of fact, most of us kids could take down an engine and do our own valve and ring job if we had to, But it isn't true any more, Few would try it on a modern automobile, Few of us would re4sh the job of stripping air- conditioning, power-assist systems and a dozen other modern extras — let alone try our do- of computers; insuring fuel it-yourself skills on those temperamental "horses" un- der the block. Yet Car-Care — even if it's passed beyond the average owner's Mine grown skills — is more important than ever. And predictions notwith- standing, it's going to be more and more important as the automobile takes on a degree of sophistication far beyond today's level. Maximum Power Response In the first place, many experts question what kind of power plant will be doing the job in "tomorrow's" autos. Whatever it is, we know that future energy conver- sions will answer to a series Douglas W. Toms irresponsible driver — the drunk or the addict — who becomes a killer, behind the wheel. Both Kinds of Cars So vital will the role of professional Car,-Care be- come, many experts believe, that the auto showrooms of tomorrow feature both kinds of autos — the sophis- ticated "automatics" on one side, and the do-it-your-self- er's line on the other. But no matter which you buy you will drive in a world, and at speeds, demanding better Car-Care — more of it and more often ---eeo insure the safety and satisfaction tomorrow's driver not only ought to have, but will be required to guarantee for , others on the highway. • K a a consumption without pollu- tion to atmosphere, without waste, and with maximum response in power and ma- neuverability. We are looking at drawing board ideas and devices near- ing production status which will need—for proper servic- ing and tune-up — advanced and specialized equipment. The future probably holds some form of radar brake control, guided highway lanes and a whole family of integrated, automatic safety devices. The goal will be maximum crash-avoidance and maxi- mum crash-survivability; and'not the least of the ideas under serious consideration are device capable of "sniff- ing" or reening out the