HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1987-10-14, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1987.
Experts give tips
on preparing cooling
system for winter
Don’t get caught by an early
freeze this year. Take the time now
to prepare you car for the cold
winter months ahead.
Experts offer these guidelines to
help you give your car the winter
protection it needs:
•Check Antifreeze/Coolant
Level - If your car's cooling system
has an anti-freeze/coolant recov
ery reservoir, the radiator should
befull of antifreeze. Ifyourcar
does not have a recovery reservoir,
the antifreeze level should be
aboutone inch below the filler neck
when the engine is cold.
•Inspect For Contamination -
Visually inspect the antifreeze,
which should be free from sedi
ment. If sediment is present, the
cooling system should be flushed
and refilled with fresh antifreeze.
•Flush Out Radiator Corrosion -
Old antifreeze may still prevent
freeze-up and boilover, but the
chemicals that prevent rust and
corrosion are substantially deplet
ed after an average year’s service.
To keep your cooling system in the
best condition, it should be cleaned
out before a new supply of
antifreeze/coolant is added.
Flushing is a simple procedure,
requiring only a garden hose in
addition to the attachments suppli
ed with a kit.
A tune-up
and oil change
gives jump
on winter
Now is the time to get a jump on
winter by restoring life to your
car’s engine after the wear and tear
of summer driving. A tune-up and
oil change are recommended for
the cold winter days ahead.
Start with motor oil, the lifeblood
of your car. Oil acts as a lubricant to
minimize friction between moving
parts, and wear caused by oxida
tion, carbon formation, corrosion
and foaming. It also absorbs and
cushions engine parts and acts as a
cooling and cleaning agent.
You may want to keep a supply of
oil in the trunk of your car so you
can add oil when needed.
Be sure to clean the oil pan, oil
screen and oil pump when chang
ing oil. Oil filters should be
replaced when changing oil. Oil
filters should be replaced every
other motor oil change, to allow oil
to circulate easily through the
engine for protection against dirt,
debris and other foreign matter.
It is important that your car’s
coolant be strong enough to
withstand cold temperatures. If
your coolant appears rusty, drain
and flush the cooling system, and
periodically add water to maintain
a proper coolant and water mix.
Inspect the radiator and radiator
hose for leaks and cracks and
replace the pressure cap if the
rubber gasket is torn or missing.
(Always make sure the engine is
cool before changing oil or remov
ing the radiator cap.)
Theradiatoraccommodates a
Urge volume of coolant, enabling
heat to transfer from the coolant to
the air.
It helps to maintain an accurate
and organized car care record with
an auto log that keeps track of
gasoline usage and essential car
parts £hat require regular check
ups.
The kit allows you to flush out
yourentirecooling system in about
five minutes, leaving it clean and
operating more efficiently.
•Refill Antifreeze/Coolant - To
refill the antifreeze/coolant, check
the capacity of your cooling system
in your owner’s manual. Pour
enough antifreeze into your radia
tor for a 50 to 70 per cent
concentration (70 per cent will
provide maximum freezing protec
tion for cooler weather).
Before replacing the radiator
cap, run the engine until it reaches
a normal temperature. Then turn
off the engine, let it cool about
three minutes, and check the
coolant level. Again, add more
antifreeze if necessary.
Finally, remember to periodi
cally check your coolant level to
ensure trouble-free driving all
winter.
The staff at J.L. McCutcheon Motors Ltd. in Brussels recently received a special award in recognition of
the high level of customer satisfaction they have given in the sale, delivery and servicing of new cars over
the past six months. At a General Motors convention in Toronto on September 1, the award showing a
rating of 98 per cent “customer satisfaction" was presented to Jack McCutcheon on behalf of his staff
[above, from left] John Exel, Don Van Der Borgh, Jack McCutcheon, Mel McArter, Mabel Willis, Don
Bray, Mel McCutcheon, Bob Richmond and Gerry McCauley.