HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1987-10-14, Page 28PAGE 28. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1987.
Battery performance can be reduced by the condition of the alternator
drive belt. All V-belts should be inspected and replaced if the car is four
years old, or sooner if the belts show obvious wear.
EARLY THIS YEAR TO AVOID PROBLEMS.
AT OLDFIELD'S WE CAN PROVIDE YOU
WITH EVERYTHING YOU'LL NEED FOR
Pre-winter battery check
will keep car starting
All too often, the engine battery,
especially in the winter, is named
the culpritfor sluggish starts or the
reason for a car not starting at all.
It's true, of course, that when a
battery is not fully charged, it will
not crank the engine promptly.
However, there are other compo
nents which might also be the
source of your starting problem.
An undercharged or defective
battery can be caused by a faulty
alternator of voltage regulator, a
worn or improperly tensioned
drive belt, or loose or broken cables
and cable connector corrosion. Any
of these can be the underlying
reason for poor starts.
Poor maintenance is another
factor. Often overlooked proce
dures include cleaning and tight
ening corroded terminals and
connectors, checking for case
damage caused by loose battery
hold-downs, and periodic testing
for the general condition of the
battery.
Here’s a checklist to ensure
prompt starting all year long:
•Battery: Primarily, a battery’s
function is to crank the engine -
start the car. Secondary functions
are lighting and operating electri
cal accessories when the engine is
not running. The battery should
provide both good engine cranking
capability and reserve power.
The power required to start an
engine varies from car to car. It
depends on the rpm demanded by
the engine, the compression ratio,
cylinder wear, temperature,
weight of the oil, and the number
and variety of accessories on the
vehicle. Worn belts or loose fan
belts can slip, causing a voltage
shortage to the battery.
Actually, most battery failures
are caused by problems in the other
areas of the electrical system. But,
you should develop a habit of
checking your battery, as well as
the other components of the
electrical system.
Whenever you raise the hood of
your car, make a visual inspection
forcorroded terminal posts and
connectors. Check for tightly
sealed cable connectors, and look
for worn or damaged cable insula
tion. And, make certain the battery
is held tightly in its tray.
More thorough battery testing
can be done quickly by a mechanic.
A load test, for example, is the
basictestof a battery’s starting
capacity.
Ifthe testing determines that
you need a replacement battery,
install a unit with at least as much
starting power as the original
equipment battery. Refer to your
car manual or the battery applica
tion data information available at
your service station or auto parts
store.
Cold weather makes starting
more difficult because low temper
atures reduce a battery’s power
potential. A fully charged battery
at 80 degrees F. will deliver only
about 65 percent of its full power at
32 degrees F , and 40 per cent at 0
degrees F.
The heavy current drain impos
ed on a battery by cold weather
starting cannot be delivered by a
discharged or weak battery. The
result: An immobilized vehicle.
•Drive belts: Since most engine
power is transmitted by V-belts, a
worn, defective or incorrectly
tensioned belt results in a loss of
power to drive the fan, water
pump, alternator (or generator),
power steering pump, air condi
tioning compressor and exhaust
emission system air injection
purrtp.
In fact, the lack of regular belt
service is one of the top engine
service problems contributing to
loss of power.
You should regularly inspect
your car’s belts for signs of wear.
Cracks on the underside of the belt
canenlargeasthebeltflexes. A
belt with cracks can break without
warning.
Belts with oil and grease-soften
ed under-core and slick sidewalls
may slip in the pulley. Such belts
wear and break rapidly.
A glazed belt with its slick, hard,
board-like sidewalls may slip and
fail to grip the pulley properly. This
can cause a discharged battery,
engine overheating and premature
belt failure.
Because of the types of belts
found on most of today’s cars, belt
wear can’t always be easily
detected without removing the
belts for inspection.
So, as a rule of thumb, if your
belts are four years old, replace
them - even if they don’t appear to
need it. You should replace them
sooner if you do a great deal of
driving.
•Tune-up: One of the most
effective methods of maintaining
your starting power is to have a
regular tune-up. In fact, a com
plete tune-up is more than twice as
effective against winter starting
difficulties as is battery service
alone.
This is true in both cold, snowy
weather and in warm climates
which generally experience wet
and humid conditions.
Following these simple hints can
help maintain your car’s starting
ability. With proper care, regular
tu ne-ups and a scheduled mainten-
ance program, your car can be a
reliable performer this winter.
Buying or selling
a car?
Use The Gtizen
classifieds
FALL CAR CARE!
• Booster cables
• Battery cable
terminal ends
• Automotive bulbs
• Windshield scrapers
• Floor mats
• Wiring kits
• Charging clips
• Battery chargers
• Trouble lights
• Anti-freeze
• Oil
MANY MORE ITEMS
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OUR LOW PRICE $70 33
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Group 27 (60 mo. warranty)
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OUR LOW PRICE $75.03
with M-F Rebate Only $68.53
M-F Battery Rebate forms available
at our store:
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H. LOBB & SONS LTD.
BAYFIELD ROAD 482-3409
MASSEY-FERGUSON