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The Citizen, 1992-04-15, Page 11THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15,1992. PAGE 11. Interpreting car noises helps find trouble Ominous car sounds tell you something may be wrong; under­ standing their cause can help you and your mechanic find and correct the problem before it becomes seri­ ous. Here are some of the more common noises, listed by Car Care Council. • A “clunk” from under the car when you start forward or back up could be a warning that a universal joint is failing. That's serious if it Don ft let towing take its toll Every year, more and more Americans are hitching some sort of trailer to their vehicles when they take off on their annual vaca­ tions. But the effects of towing a trailer can be a pretty high toll for a vehi­ cle to pay. And we're not talking about turnpike tolls, either. Extra weight may cause strains According to Dave dark, nation­ al manager, Technical Services, Pennzoil Products Company, the extra weight of whatever is being towed can put quite a strain on a vehicle. He says it's a good idea to give your vehicle a checkup before you do the hook-up. Here are some of the things Clark feels should be checked: • Engine - Under the heavy-load conditions of pulling a trailer, an engine needs to be finely tuned. Additionally, he says, at the same time, it would be wise to change the engine's oil and oil filter. Importance of quality oil He emphasized that using a qual­ ity oil, will provide your vehicle's engine with much better protection, and keep it running cooler under the severe driving conditions of pulling a trailer. • Brakes - Clark says that, since breaks and the drive shaft drops while you're driving. If you have a front-wheel drive car, you'll also get a clunking sound if you have a looseness in a CV joint (like a universal joint that con­ nects the front wheels to the trans­ verse axle). • When you apply the brakes and hear a squeal or a scraping sound, that could indicate wom brake lin­ ings or pads. If allowed to continue, the extra weight of the trailer adds to your stopping distance, it is imperative that the vehicle's brakes be in top operating condition. He lists four areas to be especial­ ly concerned about: 1) The brake lining, 2) completely leak-free components, 3) solid pedal pressure without sponginess, and 4) properly filled fluid reservoir. Clark recommends using a heavy-duty DOT3 fluid. • Transmission - Towing a trailer makes tougher demands on a trans­ mission, because it causes it to work harder. It is especially impor­ tant in automatic transmissions, Clark says, to use a fluid that pro­ vides both superb overall perfor­ mance and smooth shifting properties. • Cooling System - If it has been a year or more since you had your cooling system serviced, Clark rec­ ommends doing so before going very far with a trailer dragging from your rear bumper. He says a 50 per cent solution (water, plus a rust corrosive-resis­ tant anti-freeze assures a boiling protection safety margin. it could result in damaging brake drums or rotors, making the repair more expensive. • A thumping sound from a tire could be caused by flat spots on the tread due to improper balance or alignment. It also could be tread separation, which could result in a blowout. • The sound of ticking in the engine usually is a valve lifter, gen­ erally heard when the engine is Test for leaks He also cautions that hoses and fittings be tested for leaks, that the thermostat and water pump be working properly, and that the fan belt be tight and in good condition. • Tires - Clark warns that you should be sure the tread is wearing evenly on all tires. Each, he says, should have a minimum of 1/16" of tread. Also, he recommends check­ ing tires for cracks or cuts. As a safety precaution, he sug­ gests carrying along a tire sealant and inflator. This will eliminate having to make a very difficult tire change on either the trailer or your vehicle. 1* ■■ Get Ready For Great Summer Memories idling. • A sudden screech from under the hood could be a wom or loose drive belt. • A knocking or pinging from under the hood when you acceler­ ate could be from low grade gaso­ line, incorrect timing or others tune-up adjustments. • A whining sound as you move from a standstill to normal driving speed could be coming from the transmission and could mean that you are low on transmission fluid. You probably won't hear this sound when the car is idling or in neutral. • A spitting sound or rumble from somewhere under the car could be an exhaust leak. This is a potentially dangerous situation, due to poisonous exhaust fumes that could seep into the car. • If you raise the hood and hear a steady snapping sound that speeds up if the engine runs faster, it could mean a spark plug wire is loose or shorting out. The snapping sound is a spark jumping from the bad wire to the metal of the engine. • If you turn on the ignition switch and hear a clicking sound, but the starter does nothing, your battery may need charging or replacing. It also could be loose or corroded connections. The clicking comes from the starter solenoid, which isn't getting enough voltage to engage the starter. • A whirring sound (when the car doesn't start) could be the starter drive. Replacing this part normally will correct the problem. USED CARS 79 Ford Fairmont 4 dr., 6 cyl., auto, 1 owner, original paint, oiled yearly, certified. $1900. 84 Buick Skylark 4 dr., V6, auto, p.s., p.b., new paint, certified $1800. 79 Cadillac Fleetwood Fully loaded, as is $1800. 82 Ford LTD 2 dr., small 8, certified $1600. L& B Auto Wreckers 1/4 miles south of Brussels Cty. Rd. #12 887-9499 M-W MOTORS MAZDA SPRING SPECIAL SPRING TUNE UPS &UY NO|/y ENGINE OIL & FILTER CHANGE SPECIAL ONLY $2495 THEY'RE OUR SPECIALTY... 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