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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2008-10-23, Page 15THE CITIZEN. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2008. PAGE 15.FFaallll oonn tthhee RRooaadd Includes oil, oil filter, chassis lube and 105 point vehicle inspection, includes brakes, steering, suspension and drivetrain. To keep your car running at top performance, change your oil every 5,000 km or every three months. FALL SERVICE SPECIAL 40486 B-Line Road WINGHAM Ph: 357-1997 Fax: 357-9978 We also do Engines • Brakes Transmissions and more, for less. $39.95 We also do Engines • Brakes Tune-ups and more, for less. R & S ALIGNMENT SERVICE ALIGNMENT - SUSPENSION SERVICE & TIRES 519-357-1230 Hwy.86 West,R.R.3 Wingham,Ont.N0G 2W0 Most people think that if theywinterize their cars in the fall, before it gets really cold, they will make it through the winter without problems. And they are mostly right. Others think that if they haven’t had a problem yet, they won’t have one for the rest of the winter. Difficulty starting? A cold engine is a stiff engine – it is hard to get the pistons moving, to draw in the fuel, and get started. So it needs more battery power. In cold weather, your battery may produce only 40 per cent of the power it produces in warm weather, so give it a break – use a block heater. A block heater, with a timer to turn it on a couple of hours before you need your car, will make starting much easier. Starting warm can save you money on gas, too! Take a look at your battery terminals. Is there any white deposit on them? That corrosion can insulate the terminals and prevent the battery giving your car its first boost of power in the morning to get it going. If your battery is getting a little elderly, you may not get a second chance.It can take up to 40,000 volts to zap a spark into your cylinders. If the ignition wires are worn or cracked, some of that power may not make it, and you could have starting troubles – especially in damp weather. Another tip – keep your gas tank at least half full. That limits any condensation in the tank, so you are less likely to get gas line freezing. Add a little gas line antifreeze every second time you fill up the gas tank just to be sure. One of the most important things to watch is your cooling system. There are two things to watch: the concentration of coolant, and the amount. In most parts of Canada, a 50/50 mix of coolant and water keeps the coolant from freezing, lubricates the water pump, and protects the cooling system from corrosion. In very cold areas, it may be necessary to increase the concentration of coolant – but never more than 70 per cent coolant to 30 per cent water. But if you are like most Canadians, you are more concerned about heating than cooling at this time of year. The only heat you get is from the engine, which is whyyour heater blows cold when you first start your vehicle (before the engine warms up). If your coolant is low, your heater is the first thing to suffer, so keep your antifreeze topped up. You may also hear a squealing noise (audible over your own teeth chattering) from the heater fan. That could indicate a worn bearing in the fan motor, which will probably seize up on you when you need it most. If you travel or commute, it is worth taking a little extra time to make sure you have an emergency kit in the trunk. Winter additions to the usual emergency kit include the following: • good scraper and snow brush • blanket, hats, and mittens • matches and candles • canned fruit/nuts/survival rations • can opener • tin cup • traction mats • small shovel • red cloth (help signal) or a call police sign • jumper cables Winter check-up? It is never too late. WINDSHIELDS OUR SERVICE WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE Locally Owned & Operated LISTOWEL 519-291-1300 190 MITCHELL RD. S. CALL NO CHARGE 1-800-663-5130 Windshield Repair Safety Glass (for heavy duty equip., etc.) House Glass & Mirrors (Small frames & screens) Sun Roofs Auto Upholstery (seat repair) Convertible Tops (boat tops) Vinyl Tops Truck Accessories Car Stereos Window Tinting Truck Caps & Hardcovers Trailer Hitches Detailing Rustproofing Auto Trader photo ad centre Open Saturdays 8 am - 12 noon Cold enough for you? The nights are getting colder and by the time you read this, the first frost has probably arrived. Car Care Canada reminds motorists to start thinking now about safe winter driving – and winter tires are a must. Don’t be caught off guard by the first snowstorm or a quick drop in temperature! Why winter tires? Winter tires have an aggressive tread design that provide a better grip while throwing off snow and slush, providing more stability when braking and better vehicle handling. The rubber compound of a winter tire is relatively soft. The rubber in an all-season tire starts to lose elasticity and harden at temperatures around -8°C to -10°C, greatly reducing grip. At -15°C, this type of tire will have lost all its elasticity, whereas a winter tire will only harden at around -40°C – it therefore retains its elasticity for much longer. When purchasing/installing winter tires, remember the following: • Install four winter tires - To help maintain control and stability of your vehicle in icy conditions, always install winter tires in sets of four. • Mixing tires with different tread patterns, internal construction, and size degrades the stability of the vehicle and should be avoided. • As a tire wears, snow traction is reduced.Tires that are worn close to the tread-wear indicators have reduced traction and should not be used on snow-covered roads or in severe snow conditions. • Proper air pressure extends tread life, improves safety, and reduces fuel consumption — all vital factors in saving energy and protecting the environment. Tire pressure decreases as temperatures drop, so be sure to check the pressures at least once a month when the tires are cold, preferably after the car has been outside all night. For more information about vehicle maintenance and safety, visit the Be Car Care Aware website at www.carcarecanada.ca. The Rubber Association of Canada also offers more information about tires through their “Be Tire Smart” program. Visit www.betiresmart.ca. John Cullen Chevrolet Ltd. “We sell and service cars and trucks but our business is pleasing people.” 115 Josephine St., Wingham 519-357-2323 Sales Hours Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sat. 9 a.m. - 1p.m. Service Dept. Hours Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sat. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. BRAND NAME TIRES. 14" tires installed from: $8995 per tire Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice & Snow P185/60R 14 (Part # U83087) fits Aveo/Wave $15995 P225/60R 17 (Part # FB114249) fits Uplander/SV6 Firestone Winter Force $20995 LT245/75R16 (Part # BFG85980) fits C/K Pickup Trucks BF Goodrich Comm Tract LRE Wiper Blade and Optikleen Package Two wiper blades and jug of Optikleen $4995 Fall / Winter Maintenance Special REMEMBER LAST WINTER? EXPERT SERVICE AT COMPETITIVE PRICES. Inspection and checks of: Restraint system, throttle system, wiper blades, transmission, steering, suspension, air cleaner, engine cooling system, brakes, ignition, parking brakes, electronically test battery. Lubricate all:weather strip, hinges, latches, pivots, anchors, releases, key lock cylinder. Tire rotation and inspection. Plus: Lube, oil, filter - includes 15 point inspection and top up fluids $7995 All for (Diesel engines add $3500) Some winter tire wisdom