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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1980-11-05, Page 18HAM, ONT. -3460 144_2 ituwaviza_retog.2.mvilwo r J.4,..ioiiiewmogfl. or "1p:et:. 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. • •Ottoi Ottt uo JOAO SOI:14 tuoLio eidtuis e jii.inatiaid 6111, BUildekib 10e.i4OO, lie eat b Out 9 'y 'a , illf Waage eie set3ttitto yielift pue 110- 0100iitid Atm 9041 •40.1600.:4000( oPisUr 4UtOpqhjt SO DOM SO Mkt 4.10olo '0 Se suoltoufl 110 loeii0o..01 • "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. • ; 'ate" t tiOuO ;stet suonotiuuoo 09044 utelb ItOd Jo letjitu.let put eiquO jo sebt) BUIlOinUO6- Utoomlaq ue enii Uoisonoo 164.lio0 si 9 .9 !AititUotti op colts tstieps .404 wing' 09044 )1000 Asee S,ii Ole 'to •SOgtlielOtietio BulIP eiqntt eantUe o4 inot Jo .6M1 to SOS hl peoeidei eq WOO spotIB .'eptpieptAlea- ire8tiol ou ,S1 51UOtia 6014641, Si '104-060 91 40O14' Zino 133H3 tIVO C:01 SW3/ASNV 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.