HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-10-22, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2015.
Give your car an
extra push to get
through winter
BOOK FALL DRIPLESS
UNDERCOAT
Mechanical Repair & Used Car Sales
30 Ontario St., Clinton, ON N0M 1L0
519-482-8439
Email: aandt@bellnet.ca
Offer good with coupon
Oil Change Service
$3995
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 light trucks)
and receive a
$20 Tim Hortons
Gift Card!
Being prepared can solve many car troubles
MS –Sudden car trouble is
something no driver wants to
experience, but many a driver has
been driving down the highway only
to feel his or her vehicle start to
sputter. Such sputtering might
indicate a car is running low on fuel,
or it could be a sign of something
more serious that requires motorists
to think as quickly and safely as
possible.
When car trouble strikes while a
vehicle is on the road, the first thing
many drivers do is check their fuel
gauges. A car that runs out of gas is
certainly inconvenient, but if you
can pull over to the shoulder or make
it to the nearest filling station, then
this unfortunate situation can be
remedied rather easily.
But when a car’s tank is full and it
is still showing signs of trouble,
drivers must take steps to protect
themselves, their passengers and
their vehicles. The following are a
few simple tips motorists should
keep in mind so they can safely
handle any car trouble that may arise
while they are out on the road.
• Keep a first-aid kit, spare tire and
tire jack in the car at all times. Flat
tires are no fun, but they are even
more of a nuisance when drivers are
not prepared to address them.
Always keep a jack and spare tire in
your car, even if the spare is a donut
you can temporarily use to replace a
flat tire until you make it to a filling
station or automotive supply store.
As an added safety measure, keep
a fully-stocked first aid kit in your
vehicle in case you cut yourself
while changing the tire or need to
address another medical situation.
Keep a blanket in the trunk as well
so your passengers can stay warm
should you experience car trouble on
a cold day or night.
• Make note of your surroundings.
Some car troubles can only be fixed
by the professionals, so pay careful
attention to your surroundings in
case an issue arises and forces you to
pull over and call for help. Always
pay attention to mile markers and
any landmarks that might help you
describe where you are. Car trouble
can strike at any time and anywhere,
so be sure to pay special attention to
your surroundings when driving in
unfamiliar areas.
• Pull over. Don’t panic if an issue
arises suddenly. Remain calm and
pull over onto the shoulder. The right
shoulder is the area for pulling over
on most roads, but you may also use
the left shoulder on multi-lane
highways with medians. Try to get
as far away from traffic as possible
without driving off of level ground,
and always use your signals when
pulling onto the shoulder.
If the vehicle can’t make it to the
median, put your emergency flashers
on and get out of the car, moving
away from both the vehicle and
traffic. Immediately call for
emergency roadside assistance,
alerting the authorities if need be.
• Use flares or triangles to alert
other drivers. So long as you are not
risking your well-being, you can
place flares and/or warning triangles
behind your vehicle so oncoming
traffic knows to drive around it. It is
recommended that the first flare or
triangle be placed 10 feet directly
behind the side of the vehicle that is
closest to the road. The second
should be placed between 30 and 60
feet (increase the distances as the
posted speed limit increases) behind
the middle of the bumper, while the
third flare or triangle should be
placed between 120 and 360 feet
behind the vehicle’s right side.
• Stay with the vehicle. Once you
have called for help and set up flares
or triangles, stay with the vehicle,
though do so at a safe enough
distance so you are not in harm’s
way.
Sudden car troubles can be scary,
but drivers who approach such issues
calmly and quickly can reduce their
risk for accident or injury.
Check us out on
Get up to a $70 Cooper Tires
Prepaid card when you buy
a new set of 4 qualifying tires.
See our website for complete details
www.townsendtire.ca
519-523-4742
40356 Londesboro Rd., Londesborough
Celebrating 20 Years of Great Service!
RADAR
AUTO PARTS
"You will find it at CARQUEST"
235 Turnberry St.,
BRUSSELS 519-887-9661
Highway 8 West,
MITCHELL 519-348-8485
20 King St.,
CLINTON 519-482-3445
Also at:
and
Complete Collision
Repairs
519-523-9474 • TOLL FREE 1-800-350-6993
Auto Body & Towing Ltd.
24 HR.
Light and Heavy Recovery & Towing
290 BLYTH ROAD, BLYTH, ON N0M 1H0Being prepared
Whether it’s running low on gas or a more serious problem, being cognizant of and prepared
for trouble can reduce not only the risk associated with having vehicle troubles but also help
to make sure a vehicle, its passengers and other vehicles on the road remain safe. Having
proper supplies for emergencies is a great first step in making sure car trouble doesn’t
become more problematic than it needs to be. (MS Photo)