The Citizen, 2009-04-09, Page 17Vehicles can sometimes be
dangerously uncommunicative
devices, often failing to make
their owners aware of potential
problems.
Unless you know how to interpret
their often subtle clues they might
not let you know their tires are worn,
their shock absorbers lame, their
transmissions failing and their
engines losing efficiency.
But one system, the brakes,
always communicates its ills to the
driver.
Sometimes they employ sign
language. The simplest to read is a
red warning light on the dash,
although sometimes it can be as
subtle as a small puddle of brake
fluid.
But they also communicate by feel
through a soft, spongy or even overly
hard brake pedal, or through
rhythmic pulsations or vibrations
felt through the pedal. Or by
juddering or pulling to one side
when the brakes are applied.
Brakes can be vocal too, emitting a
range of highly audible squeals,
squeaks, chirps, groans, rattles and
grinding sounds.
These can be dire warnings or
simply pleas for maintenance, but
either way prompt response is
required to prevent potentially life-
threatening situations caused by
poor braking performance or
outright failure.
A vehicle’s brakes work by
forcing a friction material against a
disc or drum that rotates with the
wheel. Hydraulic pressure applied
by the brake pedal works callipers
that clamp brake pads against brake
discs, or shoes against the interior
surface of a drum. Even normal
usage generates a lot of heat, and
obviously wear over time.
Many of the small mechanical
components involved can also wear,
rust, seize or otherwise malfunction.
Brake fluid can also degrade and
must be changed periodically.
A new vehicle’s brakes should last
60,000 to 80,000 km on average, but
a number of factors can shorten this
dramatically. A properly done brake
job should last at least as long.
Car Care Canada recommends
brakes be checked at least once a
year, or every 20,000 km, to monitor
wear and catch developing
problems. A number of service
providers offer free brake
inspections, others maintenance
packages that often include an oil
and filter change, along with an
inspection and minor adjustment of
various systems, including the
brakes.
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2009. PAGE 17.
Summer is the season for major
car-battery problems. Heat, not cold,
shortens battery life, says Car Care
Canada.
Excessive heat and overcharging
are the two main reasons for
shortened battery life. Heat causes
battery fluid to evaporate, damaging
the internal structure of the battery. A
malfunctioning component in the
charging system, usually the voltage
regulator, allows too high a charging
rate. That’s slow death for a battery.
True, there are more road service
calls in cold weather for dead
batteries that cause starting failure.
That’s when a battery’s output is
diminished because of sluggish
electro-chemical action that gives the
battery its power. Also, colder
temperatures increase thickness of
the engine oil, making the engine
harder to turn over. These factors
lead to harder starting.
“An average of one out of four
vehicles gets a new battery every
year,” says Marc Brazeau of Car
Care Canada. “Sooner or later all
batteries have to be replaced, but
having to so prematurely can involve
more than the cost of a road service
call and a new battery, it can be
inconvenient as well.”
To get the most life out of a
battery, Brazeau suggests the
following:
• Be sure the electrical system is
charging at the correct rate;
overcharging can damage a battery
as quickly as undercharging.
• If your battery is the type that
needs to be topped off, check it
regularly, especially in hot weather.
Add distilled water when necessary.
• Always replace a battery with one
that’s rated at least as high as the
one originally specified.
• Keep the top of the battery clean.
Dirt becomes a conductor, which
drains battery power. Further, as
corrosion accumulates on battery
terminals it becomes an insulator,
inhibiting current flow.
When your brakes are talking, pay attentionOOnn tthhee RRooaadd
1994 Chev S10 -purple, 4.3 L, V6, auto, loaded, 4x4, 170,000 kms.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,495.
1995 Ford F150 -white/silver, 4.9L, 6 cyl, auto, 103,000 kms.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,995.
1996 Pontiac Grand Am -white, V6, auto, loaded, 180,000 kms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,395.
1998 GMC Sierra -red, V8, auto, 289,752 kms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,495.
1998 Dodge Dakota -black, V8, auto, loaded, 4x4, 204,000 kms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,995.
1998 Pontiac Sunfire -white, 4 cyl, auto, air, cruise, tilt, 170,000 kms.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,495.
1998 Saturn -purple, 4 cyl., auto, loaded, 180,000 kms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,695.
1998 Pontiac Grand Am -green, V6, auto, loaded, 180,000 kms.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,695.
1999 Ford F150 -white, 4.6L, auto, a/c, ext. cab, short box, 4x4, 4 door. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,495.
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 -green, V8, auto, reg. cab, long box, air, cruise, tilt . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,995.
1999 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Larami -green, 5.9 L, auto, quad cab, loaded, 204,000 kms.$5,495.
1999 VW Golf -red, 4 cyl, 5 speed, 180,000 kms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,495.
2000 Ford Ranger -black, 4L, V6, auto, ext. cab, short box,
step side, 210,000 kms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,995.
2000 Pontiac Grand Am -white, V6, auto, loaded, 161,000 kms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,995.
2000 Chrysler Neon -silver, 4 cyl., 5 speed, loaded, 170,000 kms.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,495.
2000 VW Golf -silver, TDI, diesel, 5 speed, loaded, tku 110,000 kms.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,995.
2001 Ford Winstar -blue, V6, auto, loaded, 7 passenger, TV/VCR, 160,000 kms.. . . . . . . $4,495.
2001 Dodge Dakota - white, V8, auto, 4x4, quad cab, 4 door, loaded, 220,000 kms. . . . . . $6,495.
2002 Pontiac Sunfire -silver, 4 cyl, auto, 160,000 kms.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,495.
2003 Ford Ranger - white, V6, auto, 4x4, reg. cab, A/C, cruise, tilt, 200,000 kms. . . . . . . . $5,495.
519-524-9878
Service all makes & models ~ 2 Full-Time Licensed Mechanics
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ARE YOU
READY FOR THE
OPEN ROAD?
Get your car ready for spring touring
Call 519-523-9308 and book your tune-up today!
❀❀ Exhaust Systems ❀❀ Brakes
❀❀ Dripless Undercoats ❀❀ Tune-ups
Repairs to all
makes & models
of cars & trucks
Jack Van Dorp
Located 2 miles south of Blyth
Corner of London Rd. & Hullett-McKillop Rd.
Used Car and Truck Sales
Blyth 519-523-9681
We have everything you need
to get your vehicle ready for summer
• Interior and exterior
cleaners and
protectants
• Aftermarket
accessories
• Mechanical parts
Bill Glousher
Ian Hunter
BUSHELL’S
AUTO SALES
WINGHAM
Cell 519-357-6731
Fax: 519-357-4693
UCDA ~ Buy With Confidence
2007 Chev Silverado LS ext. cab,
4x4, 100 K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $18,995
2004 GM Sierra ext. cab, 235 K . . . . . . . . . . . $8,995
2006 Grand Caravan SXT
sto ’n go seating, 75 K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $11,900
2000 GMC Yukon 4x4, 180 K. . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,995
2000 GMC Envy SLT, 4x4, 119 K. . . . . . . . . . $6,495
2007 Honda Fit only 1,300 K,
rated 50 mpg/5.6 L 100 K highway . . . . . $15,900
2005 Pontiac G6 76 K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,995
2004 Toyota Corolla 114 K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,995
2002 Honda Civic 167 K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,695
2001 V.W. Jetta 200 K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,695
2001 Chev Malibu 106 K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,995
1999 Dodge Neon 86 K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,995
Carter's
West End
Garage
& Body
Shop
215 Huron St.,
Clinton
519-482-9363
or if busy
519-482-3534
For all your
Spring car
needs!
Hot weather the true culprit behind battery woes
ON $6.00 THURSDAYS
Drop into either of our offices any
Thursday with your word classified
(maximum 20 words) and pay only
$6.00 + GST (paid in advance).
That’s $1.00 off regular rates.
The Citizen