The Citizen, 1992-10-14, Page 12F GE 12. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14,1992.
Winter driving means thinking safe
Winter’s blast
Drivers need to learn how to drive safely in winter's
hazardous conditions.
Avoid heater problems in winter
There is perhaps no greater
inconvenience of winter driving
than a heater that won't work.
Most passenger compartment
heaters use the coolant to warm the
incoming fresh air. In addition to
providing driver and passenger
comfort, the warm air directed to
the inside of the windshield
generally prevents fogging or icing
which obscures vision.
The personal distress of cold
fingers and toes can be avoided, by
inspecting the heat producing
cooling system components in your
car.
The heater and its system of
hoses are very much an integral
part of your car's cooling system.
The heater, in fact, is like a small
radiator and functions in much the
same way.
Here's how. Hot coolant is piped
from the engine through the heater
control valve and into the heater
core, located under the dash in
most cars. The coolant passes
through the core's finned tubes and
releases its heat.
A small electric fan forces air
past the finned tubes and directs the
warmed air into the passenger
compartment. The coolant is then
piped back into the cooling system
at the water pump.
Begin with coolant
Troubleshooting should begin
with the coolant level (it should be
visible just below the filler neck)
and mixture (50 per cent each of
water and anti-freeze is recom
mended). A low level will reduce
or cancel the flow of coolant to the
heater, thereby reducing or prevent
ing any heat output.
The radiator pressure cap helps to
raise and control the temperature of
the coolant in the system, and
provides a limited reserve against
coolant loss due to boiling.
The cap should be replaced if the
seal or gasket is damaged, or if the
spring is broken. The radiator filler
neck also should be inspected for
nicks or cuts which could allow
pressure to escape.
HOW THERMOSTAT
WORKS
The thermostat acts as a heat
sensitive valve which regulates the
flow of coolant to the radiator.
When the engine is cold, the
thermostat is closed and the coolant
recirculates back into the engine to
pick up more heat until it reaches a
predetermined temperature.
When the thermostat fails or
malfunctions, the engine will either
overheat or it will take longer to get
any heat because the engine will
take longer to reach proper
operating temperature.
Continued on page 13
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,
not enough about safety and the
car's longevity.
With today's cars, as long as the
engine is tuned up and the battery
good, cold starts are not the
problem,” says Robert J. Sinclair.
Think safety instead.
Safety is a matter of common
sense. For example, you'll be using
headlights a lot more, so make sure
they are aimed properly.
Visibility is a prime concern in
the winter. Check that all lights
function so your car is visible to
others. And buy fresh replacement
for the windshield wipers.
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 precipitation.
Road oils washed up from the
pavement end up on your car. The
spray from trucks on a wet road is a
mixture of oil, dirt and salt that
does no good.
Wax gives the best protection,
but apply with care. Avoid polishes
or cleaner waxes, which contain
abrasives. They clean old finish by
removing the outer layer of paint.
Never use these products on a new
car. 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 automatic
transmission fluid levels between
hot and cold temperatures. The
notches in the dipstick give hot and
cold readings, but if the
temperature is below zero, you
might get no reading at all. Drive a
few miles to warm up the
transmission.
Few northern drivers think about
the air conditioner in January, but
it's good practice to turn it on once
m a while if the temperature climbs
above 38 degrees. This lubricates
the seals and helps prevent freon
leaks.
M-W MOTORS LTD.
AND
HAS THEM51993 B2200 PICK UPS!
ink 22L SOHC 6-valve. 4 cylinder engine with multi-port electronic fuel injection. 5-
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I brakes with rear-wheel Anti-lock brake system. Styled steel wheels with 205/75R14
' Hk steel-belted radei tires Full size spare tire Double-wall cargo bed with one-touch
▼ Tk tailgate release and 4 cargo tie-down loops. Dual black door mirrors. Tinted glass. 3-
- pasenger bench seat with adjustable head restraints. Vinyl upholstery. Ftdl colour
m •> keyed floor carpeting, Resettable trip odometer. Healer/defroster with 4-speed
I f 1 blower and front side-window demisters, intermittent windshield wipers. Day/mght
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Sales * Service • Parts • Leasing
300 SUNCOAST DR. EAST, GODERICH
524-2113
Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 8 - 8, Fri., 8 - 6, and Sat., 9 - 4
ALL SERVICE SPEC/A^
McCutcheon motors
90 Chev Corsica LTZ blue,
loaded with options, 6 cyl,
3.1.
90 Pontiac 6000 LE white, 6
cyl., good economical family
car.
90 Buick Century black,
with all needed options.
84 Pontiac Parlslenne grey,
priced for fall clearance.
85 Mercury Marquis 2 tone
brown, good winter car -
priced to sell.
84 Chrysler New Yorker
red, loaded with many
options
TRUCKS
90 Ford Custom 8 cyl.,
auto, very low KM.
89 Chev Silverado top-of-
the-line, many extras, loaded
with options.
88 Ford Aerostar XL blue,
like new, only 75,000 KM.
BRUSSELS
AUTO SALES
& SERVICE
519-887-9269
Oil Lube Filter
22.95
Includes: 4 Litres Shell 10W30 Oil
Lubricate All Grease Fittings
One Oil Filter Change
Check All Fluid Levels
10 Point Winterize
No Charge*
* Materials not included
1. Test Antifreeze
3. Check Rad Hoses
5. Check Rad Cap
7. Check Tire Wear
9. Check Lights
This offer good t
2. Check Fan Belts
4. Check Radiator
6. Check Wiper Blades
8. Check Exhaust System
10. Check Heater
til November 14, 1992
Safety & Accessories
Call For An
Appointment or
Free Estimate
Exhaust - Tires
Shocks - Tune Up
Wheel Balance
Tire Rotation
Body Repairs - Painting
Paint Stripes
Running Boards
Toppers - Box Rails
Mud Flaps
Bug Deflectors
Turnberry St. S.Brussels 887-6856