The Citizen, 1987-04-15, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1987.
Good maintenance keeps car in top shape
breakdown if you or your mechanic
have performed the following
checks.
•Engine tune-up: A tune-up at
least once a year will help assure
the best fuel economy and perfor
mance, protection against pollu
tion, starting difficulties, and
expensive repair.
•Oil: check the level often, and
change the oil frequently, espe
cially if you do a lot of driving on
dusty roads.
•Battery: most car batteries are
efficient in warm weather, but
have the charge checked once in a
while, anyway. Ifthe charge is low', 1
have it recharged.
Even if your car has a so-called
“maintenancefree” battery, it
still should not be ignored. Only
Chrysler and General Motors /AC pads. Check the brake-fluid level
Delco Freedom batteries are truly once a month.
sealed. In a sealed battery, the •Cooling system: Atthe same
electrolyte solution can be checked time, check the cooling-system
through a small indicator window. thermostat to be sure it opens at the
Scryb the terminals occasionally
with a wire brush.
•Tires: Check the owner’s man
ual for proper inflation. Atleast
once a month, or before any long
trip, use a good-quality pressure
gauge to make sure the tires
conform. Check also for uneven
wearing and thin spots. On
front-wheel-drive cars, the front
tires wear and age faster because
of the up-front turning and pulling
of the front-wheel design.
Proper inflation not only extends
tire life, but also saves fuel.
•Air filter: Check at least every
two months and replace it when
dirty.
•Brakes: Have the brakes in
spected to ensure proper pad
thickness on shoes and disc-brake
“Dear, remember that strange noise whenever I applied
the brakes?”
right temperature. Inspect for
leaks as well as loose and frayed
belts and hoses. A cracked hose
means trouble ahead. Keep an eye
on the coolant level.
•Drive belt: The common acces
sory drive belt, or fan belt, is one of
the most neglected parts of your
automobile.
Whether one belt or several, the
belt system drives not only the
engine fan, but also the alternator,
water and air pumps, power
steering, and air conditioner.
Periodically, take the time to check
the belt drive for wear or separa-
tionofthecordfromthe rubber.
Are the belts heat-hardened and
glazed? Oil-soaked? If you’re not
sure, ask a competent mechanic to
check them out.
If you can depress a belt more
than half an inch, have it tightened
or replaced. It’s a good idea to
replace the belts about every four
years.
You’re buzzing along Highway
400 at night, or just poking your
way through traffic at the end of a
busy day. Suddenly the fan belt
snaps, the engine overheat light
blinkson, the airconditioner stops,
and you wrestle with the steering
wheel to get over to the side of the
road.
You’re not going anywhere
until the belt is replaced. If you had
kept a cautious eye on the belt
system beneath the hood, you
might not be in such a fix.
With the proliferation of fill-it-
yourself gas stations, too many
motorists ignore their cars, waiting
for the vehicles to let them down
before they look under the hood.
Preventive maintenance can
save you expensive and untimely
repairs. Harsh driving conditions
will be less likely to cause a
Gas mileage change
clue to emission trouble
You don’t always need an
exhaust check to discover your
car’s emission controls are out of
order. Keep a check on gas
mileage; if the car begins using
more than the normal amount, get
it checked. Another indication is
poor idling or hard starting. If you
notice the engine or the perform-
ance deteriorating, something
may be amiss in the emission
control system.
More often than not, a profes
sional engine analysis will quickly
locate the trouble. Car Care
Council recommends an annual
diagnostic check as a preventive
measure.
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