HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1980-11-05, Page 18HAM, ONT. -3460
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TPOIE ONUISCL5 FMT NOW 1.81
Ppniestie:auto:'makers ~
gain on; small. niodels
"Why don't the car corns
panics just switch from making
large cars to the pOpular small
ears?" asks a customer who has
waited several months for a
subcompact.
The auto makers would. like
to do just that to meet the new
wave demand, but it can't be
done Oidly with a wave of a
magic wand, the Automotive
Information Council points, out.
Converting from one size of
car production to another calls
for revamping the assembly•
lines, making dies for body
stampings, foundry changes for
new engines and transmissions
and hundreds of other factors
involving thousands of sup-
pliers, AIC points out.
From blueprint stage to on-
scale date for an all-new car
takes several years and many
billions of dollars in capital
investment.
Why weren't the car com-
panies prepared for the switch
to small cars?
They were, in fact. And
that's why the resized cars of
today get 50 percent better
mileage than those of only six
years ago=unknown to many
import buyers—and why more
and more U.S. small-car
models are coming on stream,
AIC says. -
However, it points out, the
speed with which the market
switched to small cars surprised
everyone. Small cars Were a
drug on the market until early
last year when the gas lines in
California started showing up
on TV newscasts. Until that
time the larger cars, vans and
pick-up trucks were the hot
sellers,,V-8s were wait-listed.
For example, March 1979
was the 18th consecutive
monthly record for Lincoln-
Mercury, Cadillac and off-road
or four wheel-drive vehicles
such as Jeep were also experi-
encing boom times. So were
many recreational vehicle,
makers.
At that same time, the im-
ports'and other small cars were
dangling discounts and rebates.
Then came the temporary gas
lines followed by jumps in gas-
oline prices, and almost over-
night the hot sellers became the
dust-collectors and vice versa.'
"It was the most dramatic
market turnaround theindtistry
has ever seen," said.a. veteran
auto observer. ,•,,%
The import makers were able
to flood the market with small
cars beCause, with a few excep-
tions, they historically have
built nothing .but small models
because of their roads and
streets and the high cost of fuel
in other countries.
Consequently, imports ac-
counted for an all-time high' of
One in five new car sales in
1979,
Tune-up for
cold starting
Sometimes a little Misinfor-
mation can lead to a heap of
ttbuble, especially if it:involves
neglecting the probable causes
of cold weather starting prob-
lems. For example, when one sur-vey conducted by Champion
Spark Plug Company asked
consumers about the benefits
of new spark plugs, only 27
percent connected spark plugs
With starting.
. The only way to reduce start-
ing failure—nearly a third of all
family-owned automobiles
were affected during one winter
recently--is to make motorists
aware of the real trouble source:
An undermaintained engine.
Dead batteries'often are more of
a 0 symptom than th e cause;
probably that -battery was
drained by constant grind-
ing during the starting attempt.
Cold weather starting tests
show untuned automobiles
have 'nearly two and aalf times
greater incidence of starting
failure than cars that-are tuned
and, on the average, these
tuned cars Start 15.4 percent
more quickly, - •
FORD
SALES & SERVICE
CAR CARE QUIZ
for batteries
TUNE UP SNOW TIRES
is
3: As a conscientious car •owner, ,yoU
look underneath your car occasion-
ally for leaks and find one of the' .
shock absorbers appears to be leak-
ing oil.
A. You replace it and, keep an eye oh
the others. r '
B: You replenish the fluid.
C: You, have new ,shock seals in-
stalled. •
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"Gas-and-go" service station patrons should ,be particularly aware. of the
Importance of regular car checks. If you're among this growing motoring popula- ,
tion, see how well you do on this car, owner quiz.
1. You changed oil and filtei just a few
hundred miles ago and on your weekly
dip-stick check you disbover the oil
looks dirty. Most likely reason is:
A. You have a faulty oil filter.
B. This is the normal appearance of
detergent-type oil,
C. The engine has excessive corn-,
bustion.
. ••• • 2. When traveling; tire pressure should •
4. Power steering and brake fluid levels
' should be checked: •
A. Annually.
B. Before starting a long trip.
C. Monthly.
5. Battery connections should be
checked regularly for accumulation
of corrosion, which: •
A. .Causes the battery to overheat.
B. 'Reduces battery efficiency.
C. Can ruin the battery plates.
• ;
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Save gas-ensure quick Kelly Springfields are
starts this winter leaders in winter traction
WINTER MARK
G78 x 14 or 15 $5419S h
H78 •
4 5
each x 1.4 or 15 $58
cy $16°2
195
SNOW MARK RADIALS
PARTS EXTRA GR78 x 15 68 $.95
each
Get your front end alignment checked for safe winter driving.
Cars $19.00
"Check 'your ti-freeze nOwodShield washer fluid, and the
Condition of hosesand belts to help ensure no winter break downs."
UNDERCOAT NOW
to prevent rust from startin. on your ear!
Oil Base S;ray $45.00
FREE BRAKE CHECK
"Only Class A Mechanics"
•- SCRUTON'S . IRE "a A TO SERVICE
Albert St, [Highway No. 4 North], C UN TO tt... „ .
•
be checked:
A. More frequently.
B. At the beginning and end of the
trip.
C. When tires appear to be low.