HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1986-11-05, Page 14PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1986.
Winter means thinking safety
When it comes to cold weather,
most people have the wrong idea of
what the family car needs. Drivers
worry too much about cold starts,
notenoughaboutsafetyand the
car’s longevity.
Keep oil clean,
prolong engine life
Clean oil, at the right level on the
dipstick, is the lifeblood of your
car’s engine. Not only does it
lubricate those precision internal
engine parts, oil also serves as a
cleaning agent. Because it has
detergent capabilities, a quality
grade of motor oil will clean
harmful contaminants and grit
inside the engine and carry them to
the oil filter where they are
trapped.
Surprisingly, changing the oil
andfilterhasbecomeoneofthe
most neglected maintenance ser
vices, according to a Car Care
Council survey of auto shop
owners.
Beyond failure to change oil,
people are not even raising their
hoods and checking their engine
dipsticks as often as they should.
An American Automobile Associa
tion survey of 5,147 vehicles in
seven states showed 21 percent at
least one quart low on oil. In
another AAA test, 44 percent were
found in that condition.
Check oil regularly, keep the oil
level up to or near the full mark,
and when buying oil, pay attention
to the label on the container. Your
best bet: select a brand you
recognize of the type specified for
your car. A product with the SF
code on the container is required
for most cars. Diesel engines and
some turbo-charged or high per
formance engines require special
types. Check your owner’s manual
to be sure.
Oil does not wear out, but its
chemical additives do. Conse
quently, it’s wise to change oil
regularly for maximum protection.
Every owner’s manual describes
driving circumstances which de-
mand more frequent maintenance.
Those conditions, usually referred
Tune-up tips
Many motorists wait until the
first cold snap to winterize their
automobiles.
The result is usually a frantic
phone call to their local service
station mechanic, whoby this time,
is already deluged with time-con
suming road calls for dead batter
ies, frozen radiators and various
ignition ailments.
To make sure your engine will
run properly when it’s ten below
zero, tune-up for your car’s cooling
system, the cause of many cold
weather driving problems.
1) Examine all hoses, especially
the radiator and heater hoses, for
swelling, soft spots, cracks, a
partially collapsed condition, cuts
and general deterioration.
2) Tighten all hose clamps.
Replace those which can’t be
adequately tightened, or that show
corrosion.
3) Check all V-belts for wear on
bottom and sides. Pay particular
attention to the alternator drive.
Replace or retension as necessary.
If belts are more than four years
old, replace them regardless of
visual condition.
4) Check the coolant for rust and
the concentration of anti-freeze.
Auto parts stores sell inexpensive
testersfor checking anti-freeze
protection. Flushing the system
(about every two years) and
replacing the coolant with a 50-50
mixture of water and anti-freeze is
a do-it-yourself job.
With today’s cars, as long as the
engine is tuned up and the battery
good, cold starts are not the
problem,” sa*ys Robert J. Sinclair.
Think safety instead.
Safety is a matter of common
sense, according to Saab’s Ameri-
to as ‘‘severe service operation,”
may prove to be normal driving
conditions for many drivers. A
good rule of thumb, says Car Care
Council, is to change oil seasonally
or every three to four thousand
miles. For added proection,
change the filter each time you
change the oil. oil, dirt and salt that does no
Remember
last winter?' .
Don’t get caught in the cold this year
Give vour car the tune-up it needs__
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P225X15 Radial Snow 121.00 97.00
P235X15 Radial Snow 152.75 123.00
P155X13 Radial Sffow 68.85 64.50
P195X14 Radial Snow 95.90 82.50
P205X14 Radial Snow 113.00 86.00
F78X15 Belt Snow 74.45 50.00
G78X15 Belt Snow 79.70 70.00
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700X15 Truck Snow 107.40 88.00
750X16 Truck Snow 128.50 102.50
875X16.5 Truck Snow 137.00 105.00
950X16.5 Truck Snow 162.50 130.00
*While Stock Lasts
can president. For example,
‘‘You’ll be using headlights a lot
more, so make sure they are aimed
properly,” Sinclair notes.
Visibility is a prime concern in
the winter. Check that all lights
function so your car is visible to
others. And buy fresh replace
ments for the windshield wipers.
‘ ‘The last thing you want is to peer
through a streaked windshield,”
Sinclair says.
Keep tires inflated to recom
mended pressures - this improves
handling on wet roads.
ROAD SPRAY ATTACKS
THE FINISH
Winter is rough on the car’s
paint, not only because of road salt,
but because there is more precipi
tation. ‘‘Road oils washed up from
the pavement end up on your car, ’ ’
Sinclair says. ‘‘The spray from
trucks on a wet road is a mixture of
good.”
Wax gives the best protection,
but apply with care. Avoid polishes
orcleanerwaxes, whichcontain
abrasives. They clean old finish by
removing the outer layer of paint.
Never use these products on a new
car, warns Sinclair. “Synthetic
enamel paints must age five or
six months before they are com
pletely hardened. Instead, use a
pure wax.”
TOO COLD FOR DIPSTICK
Extreme cold does strange
things to the car’s vital fluids.
There’s a big difference in auto
s FORD
TRUCKS
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NOW... THE ULTIMATE
PRECISION WHEEL ALIGNMENT
matic transmission fluid levels
between hot and cold tempera
tures. The notches in the dipstick
give hot and cold readings, but if
the temperature is below zero, you
might get no reading at all. Saab
recommends driving a few miles to
warm up the transmission.
Few northern drivers think
about the air conditioner in
January, but the Swedish auto
maker says it’s good practice to
turn it on once in a while if the
temperature climbs above 38
degrees. This lubricates the seals
and helps prevents freon leaks.
Winterize Special
1 - Test Antifreeze
2 - Test Rad Cap Pressure
3 - Check Rad & Heater Hoses
4 - Check For Radiator Leaks
5 - Check All Fan Belts
6 - Test and Fill Washer Fluid
7 - Check Wiper Blades & Washers
8 - Check Tire Wear and Air Pressure
9 - Check Thermostat Heat
10 - Check Heater and Defroster Blower
*AII replacement parts and
installation extra
McCutcheon
r Motors Ltd.
Brussels 887-6856