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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1995-04-26, Page 161995 LUMINA - white, loaded, under 18,000 km 1993 BUICK REGAL LIMITED - burgundy, loaded Only 67,000 km 1991 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS LS - luxury auto, only 79,000 km 1991 GRAND AM - 4 cyl., silver, only 88,000 km 1989 OLDS CUTLASS SIERRA - white, top of the line, loaded, 115,000 km Lots of other models to choose from "We service what we sell" SALES & SERVICE LTD Brussels 887-9269 12th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL Have your windshield replaced and receive a Lined Jacket FREE (while quantities last) APPLE AUTO GLASS $50 PAYS YOUR DEDUCTIBLE °P T° On All windshield Replacement Claims At Your Home, Office, Farm or Apple Locations BOND law APPLEk" ratooss SUNROOFS CAR STEREO UNITS • Windshield replacement & repairs • Auto upholstery • Vinyl convertible, boat tops Mobile service at no extra charge 50 Locally Owned & Operated AutoGlitt APPLE Auto Glass 190 Mitchell Ave., S. LISTOWEL 1-800-663-5130 291-1300 PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1995. --GEARING UP '95 First Alert says every car should carry fire extinguisher Fire extinguishers should be mandatory in all automobiles due to the high incidence and high cost of vehicle fires, says First Alert, the nation's leading supplier of fire safety products. According to the Ontario Fire Marshal, more than 7,000 vehicle fires were reported in Ontario in 1990, causing more than $36 million in damage. "For maximum safety, cars should be equipped with a specially designed fire extinguisher," says Jim Hind, general manager of BRK Electronics Canada, makers of First Alert products. "Vehicle fires are a common car emergency which most motorists are unprepared for. A vehicle fire With the hot summer months ahead, it's important to make sure your car's finish is "summerized." This is one of the easiest and most satisfying maintenance tasks that you can perform. And, preserving a showroom shine will not only pro- long the life of your finish, but also elevate the resale value. Keep in mind that protecting your car's finish with just any wax is not enough to truly guard against the summer elements. Finishes A quick spring car care checkup is one way of helping to prevent major break-down problems during the upcoming hot summer season. Most automobile owners remember to examine major parts of the vehicle for problem areas; however, hose clamps, which play an important role in keeping these extinguisher, stowed in a convenient location, can help reduce damage and prevent injury." According to the Ontario provincial office of the Fire Marshal, a fire extinguisher should only be used to put out fires that erupt inside the car's interior, and not for dealing with more serious engine fires. Should fire erupt, follow these guidelines: • At the first sign of fire drive the car off the road, stop as quickly as possible and turn the ignition off. • Get out of the car quickly - do not pause to remove valuables. • Grab the fire extinguisher on he way out of the car, and use it while need extra protection from summer heat, salt water, air and sand. Here are some simple tips on how to achieve that showroom shine and protect your car's finish. The car should be washed before applying any type of wax. Washing and waxing in the shade will give you the best results. Generally, a mild detergent is the most effective, because it can be used on various types of finishes, yet is strong enough to remove parts in good working order, are oftentimes completely overlooked. Hose clamps are located in many areas under the hood of an automobile, including the radiator, heater, fuel line, vacuum line and emission control system. Not replacing worn clamps can lead to overheating or other serious breakdowns, according to the Ideal outside the car. Try to put out the fire if it's coming from the car's interior, but if the fire continues to spread, or if it's coming from the engine, call the local fire department at once. Use your common sense to determine when to employ a fire extinguisher. • Move away from the vehicle. Be aware that there is always a possibility of explosion. Of the more than 7,000 vehicle fires reported in Ontario in 1990, almost half were caused by mechanical or electrical failure. Arson, accident and vandalism were among other leading causes. There were 85 injuries and four people killed by vehicle fires in accumulated mud, road salt, insects and dirt. After the entire car is hosed down, gently rub with a soft sponge and wash the car from the bottom up. For best results, never wash more than a three-square-foot area at a time. After washing and drying, the car is prepared for the wax application. Not all waxes are created equally. Different car finishes warrant dif- ferent waxes. The type of wax you choose division of Parker Automotive, a manufacturer of automobile hose clamps, thermostats and flashers. Their recommendation to all car owners is to look for, and replace, any missing, damaged or rusty clamps, and tighten any loose ones. One thing a car owner should keep in mind, however, is that soft hoses, such as the silicone hose 1990. First Alert makes a fire extinguisher designed for vehicle use. The FE2BCA is equipped with a bracket which prevents it from rolling around under the seat or in the trunk of the car. The compact unit fights grease, oil and electrical ;fires. It can also be used in boats, trucks, vans and campers. Vehicle fire extinguishers - like all residential fire extinguishers - require routine maintenance. Check the instructions for details. And while maintenance is important, so is familiarity. Learn how to use your fire extinguisher by contacting your local fire department for a demonstration. depends on your vehicle's finish. If your car has a clear coat fetish, for example, use a wax specially for- mulated for that purpose. The best way to keep a car look- ing new is to begin the process of maintenance before deterioration begins. Experts recommend waxing a vehicle two or three times a year. Regular monthly washings are also vital to maintaining a car's finish. Here's to a beautiful, enduring shine! used on fuel injection systems, require special clamps. Hose clamps are inexpensive too. Readily available from-Any parts outlet, they are easily installed with a screwdriver or nut-driver. _ An inexpensive investment in hose clamps today could help prevent a more expensive car repair in the future. Protect car's finish from summer elements Examine hose clamps during spring checkup Clean all auto glass regularly All glass surfaces of a vehicle should be cleaned on a regular basis or whenever visibility is reduced because of foreign matter on either the inside or outside of the glass. Failing to keep windows and the windshield clean produces a potential safety hazard. According to automotive special- ists at General Motors, you should never use abrasive cleaners on any car glass, as they may cause scratches. If an abrasive cleaner is used on the inside of the rear win- dow, the electric defogger may be damaged. And decals should never be placed on the rear window, since they may have to be scraped off Checking pressure You car's cooling system is pressurized. Using the same principle as a pressure cooker (which raises water's boiling point above normal, an engine operates at temperatures of 250 -275 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooling system pressure, generally 14 - 17 PSI, is controlled by the radiator pressure cap. When this component cannot maintain correct pressure, the boiling point decreases and the coolant begins to boil off. Hence, the engine overheats. Described as the "safety valve" of the system, the pressure cap is one of the least expensive parts of a vehicle, says Car Care Council. But, with the loss of just one pound of pressure, amounting to a three degree drop in boiling point, the later. Windows can be cleaned with an ordinary liquid household glass cleaner. Such a cleaner will effec- tively remove normal tobacco smoke and dust film sometimes caused by materials that are used in vinyls and interior plastics. If your windshield is not clear after using the windshield washer and wipers or if the wiper blade "chatters" when running, wax or other material may be on the blade, or on the windshield. The wind- shield is clean if beads do not form when rinsing with water. Wiper blades can be cleaned by wiping a cloth soaked in a solution cap good measure pressure cap plays an important role in protecting the engine. Symptoms of failure can be insidious, often not surfacing until an inconvenient time or place when overheating occurs. In a service station inspection of 100 cars by Automotive Cooling System Institute, 16 were found to have defective pressure caps. The most common reasons for failure were the rubber seal and the pressure release valve. Either or both deteriorate with time, requiring replacement of the cap. Most service dealers charge little or nothing for checking a customer's pressure cap. It takes but a few minutes and is a good preventive measure before the height of summer heat. of one-half water and one-half methanol alcohol. Rinse the blade with fresh water. Some vehicles have a special plastic-coated windshield surface on the inside to help protect occu- pants in a collision. This Glass Plastic Material" (which will be so marked at the lower centre) requires special cleaning, and you should not stick decals on the side of the glass. Consult your owner's manual if your vehicle is so ecluiPPed- FREE Brake inspections & Tire rotations offer in effect until May 31, 1995 BLYTH SERVICE CENTRE Blyth (519) 523-4800