HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-04-10, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2008.
As they make the rounds to select
their new vehicle, many shoppers
recoil at the sticker prices. With cars
now averaging well above $25,000,
some buyers reevaluate their needs
and desires, reluctantly settling
for the no-frills, “plain vanilla”
model.
With time, however, these same
motorists may find themselves with
a few extra dollars they can invest in
their vehicle. Is it time to buy
another car, even though there still
are payments to make? Car Care
Canada says instead of replacing
your vehicle, consider repairing and
upgrading what you already
have.
The accompanying list includes
some of the accessories that can add
new personality to your basic
vehicle. Most of the products are
totally functional; some combine
function with cosmetic
improvement.
The cost of these components
ranges from a few dollars to a few
thousand. Still you could have most
of them installed for much less than
the price of a new vehicle.
A classified phone directory is the
best way to find your local sources
or performing a search on the
internet.
So if you’re considering trading,
crunch the numbers first. You might
find you’d be just as happy, and
many dollars richer, with a few
selected enhancements.
VEHICLE PERSONALITY
ENHANCEMENT LIST
• Air dams and spoilers
• Anti-theft devices
• Bug deflectors
• Camper caps
• Car phones
• Carrier racks
• Custom seats
• Custom wheels
• Grille guards
• Instrumentation
• Keyless entry systems
• Neon trim lighting
• Personal breath alcohol testers
• Pick-up bed mats
• Pick-up box tonneau covers
• RV and towing accessories
Car Care Articles
• Radar Detectors
• Remote engine starting systems
• Running boards
• Special shock absorbers
• Stereo systems
• Striping and/or decals
• Sun roofs
• Upgraded Headlights
• Vehicle navigation systems
• Wheels & tires
• Window tinting
(MS) - Research by industry
experts shows that nine out of 10
automatic transmission failures are
caused by overheating normally
attributed to summer driving
conditions ranging from stop-and-
go traffic, to towing heavy loads, to
carrying extra passengers or cargo.
Gates Corporation product
engineers say that an often-
overlooked cause of transmission
failure is a leak in the transmission
oil cooler hoses.
Gates says the transmission
should be inspected and the cooler
hoses should be replaced, if
necessary, at the beginning of the
summer driving season.
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 do 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.
Hot weather the culprit behind battery woes
Consider upgrades rather than repairs
Don’t
overlook
annual
transmission
service
OOnn tthhee RRooaadd
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389 Queen St.,
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