HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-10-14, Page 15THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14,1992. PAGE 15.
Today’s engines still need cold weather protection
Today's smaller, more efficient
car engine runs approximately 25
per cent faster than the large V-8
powerplant that was the standard
10 years ago.
As it creates proportionately
more heat that dissipates through
the cooling system, the four- or six-
cylinder engine is working in a
very compact engine compartment.
This leaves little space for air to
circulate around individual
components.
Car makers and their suppliers
have improved parts technology to
Don’t leave your
Contrary to popular belief, winter
is one of the most important times
of the year to keep up your car's
appearance. Left untreated, the
snow, salt, mud, and freezing
temperatures of the season wreak
havoc on a vehicle's surfaces, and
in the long term can reduce its
meet the greater heat and wear
demands created by smaller cars.
However, The Gates Rubber
Company advises motorists to
place additional emphasis on
preventive maintenance of the
cooling system to avoid problems
this winter.
Adding Coolant
Start with a good quality, brand
name antifreeze. Usually, the
coolant mixture should be 50 per
cent antifreeze and 50 per cent
water. This will help prevent
overheating in the summer and
car in the cold
to prevent fading and hardening of
your car's rubber and vinyl
surfaces.
Putting extra effort into winter
car care will help to preserve your
investment. Think of it as a
survival kit for your car's
appearance.
provide freezing protection down
to -34°F, which is sufficient for
most geographic areas.
Check coolant levels often, and
drain the system, back-flush, and
add fresh coolant every two years.
The old rule of changing the
coolant at the two-year or 24,000
mile interval is still valid. For a
while there was concern that annual
changes might be needed on
modem bimetal engines or those
with aluminum radiators. However,
the use of improved alloys and
silicate antifreeze formulas has
overcome the shortcomings of early
aluminum applications.
The best way to check the
antifreeze protection of the coolant
is to obtain an inexpensive pocket
hydrometer or chemical test strip
from your auto parts store.
Checking hoses
The coolant hose is a very
important part of the cooling
system. It is the fluid connector
between the engine, the radiator
and heater. Most cars have at least
four or five hoses.
The upper radiator hose delivers
hot coolant from the engine to the
radiator, while the lower radiator
hose returns coolant to the engine
through the water pump. The
bypass hose circulates coolant
through the engine when the
thermostat is closed. Heater hoses
carry coolant between the engine
and the heater core.
Since hoses are so vital to safe
engine operation, Gates recom
mends checking them at least every
six months.
Caution: Allow the engine to
cool down for at least one hour
before inspecting the hoses, or any
other under-the-hood components.
This normally is enough time to
reduce the temperature and
pressure in the. cooling system, and
diminish the chance of personal
injury.
Immediately replace hoses
showing obvious signs of wear,
such as cracks, cuts, stiffness,
bulges, excessive softness or
abrasions. They can be convenient
ly replaced when it's time to flush
the cooling system and install new
antifreeze.
Gates recommends replacing
coolant hoses every four years at
the very least, because there often
is no visible, early warning sign of
failure.
A good-looking hose can fail due
to deterioration of the reinforce
ment that results from an
electrochemical reaction to the
tube.
This cracks the hose tube, allows
liquid coolant to weaken the
reinforcement, and eventually
results in a burst hose or a pinhole
leak.
Because of the importance of
antifreeze and cooling system
hoses, car owners should check
them as part of regular mainten
ance, or whenever the engine is
being serviced.
value.
“Many people think they only
need to wash their cars in the
summer, in fair weather,” says Rick
Manoogian, marketing manager for
Armor All Products Corporation.
Kocks from the road create small
chips in the paint. The road's mud
and salt, which both absorb and
hold water, forms a layer over the
paint, and slowly corrodes it.
Winter's freeze/thaw process of
night and morning worsens the
situation, causing “micro cracks.”
Water enters the cracks, and
through the same process causes
cracks to enlarge.
With each expansion, water
penetrates further through the paint,
until it eventually reaches metal
and begins rusting. Rust will spread
under the paint layers, and bubbles
can form on the paint surface due
to the expansion of metal during
the rusting process.
“Although it's not always
possible, frequent washing and
waxing - perhaps on the first clear
day after a storm - is the best
preventative measure,” says
Manoogian. “Just waiting until the
next rain storm won't adequately do
the job - it would be like taking a
bath without soap.”
Armor All recommends the
following:
• Wash your vehicle with a
product specifically formulated for
cars.
• Ordinary household dish soap,
which is sometimes used because
it's handy and less expensive, may
strip the wax off a car's finish and
leave the paint unprotected.
• Be sure to hose off all the mud
caked in crevices.
• Dry with a clean, cotton flannel
cloth.
• Then apply wax or polish, to
form a protective layer that helps
repel water and dirt.
Just as important, be sure to
apply a protectant which will help
LARRY'S
Car Oiling
by appointment only
523-4701
Dura Shield
rust inhibitor
"Rust's worst enemy"
BEAT ( Geortfa Radford
THE
RUSH
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BOOK A SAFETY CHECK FOR YOUR
TRUCK TODAY!
fiwrS whsd atom® nitAs of January 1993 vehicles with a RGW of 10,000
kg. and over will be required to have a PMCV1
annually.
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RADFORD AUTO
FARMAND
L INDUSTRIAL /
PARTS
Be prepared for winter driving.
Make up an emergency kit. Be sure
to include:
Flashlight & batteries
Warning triangle flare kit
First Aid Kit
Snow brushes & scrapers
• Lock De-icer
• Booster cables
• Gas line antifreeze
I
F
BRUSSELS
887-9661
Congratulations to the
draw winners from
Brussels ‘Environmental
IB air
Vincent Bauer
who won a first aid kit
Ann Elliott
who won a T-Shirt
Betty Bodfield
who won a T-Shirt