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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 \ oeory nadforq 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. Oafl 523"*4ool for on BDpoirifixioiif ior HOD! BLYTH 523-9681 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