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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1997-06-04, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4,1997 PAGE 7. Is replacing your old car worth the hassle? Is your old car squeezing you for everything you're worth? Are you fighting the urge, with every last ounce of determination, to head for the dealer's showroom or used car lot? Well, whether it's the once-trusty old family sedan, the once-shiny sports car or the pick up that was once the envy of truckers from across the country, your once-prized vehicle probably repre-sented a sizeable investment. Thinking about investing perhaps no more than the amount of a down-payment to fix it up may just make the soundest financial sense. A little money can go a long way toward upgrading a car. Here’s how to consider this option objectively: 1. Visit a mechanic and let him inspect your car. After compiling a list of mechanical needs, he can approximate the cost to put it back in good shape. If the car is paid for, you’ll probably save money by giving it a new lease on life. Further, by having it repaired, you can make your car serviceable for another two to three years while saving toward its replacement. After all, you'll even have more value to bargain with when you're ready to trade! 2. Diagnosing mechanical problems is one consideration, but how about a manicure? Car owners should look to buffing out the paint job, fixing denied fenders or replacing missing trim. Some touch-up work or perhaps a new paint job may be needed. How about pin stripes or adding rims to dress up the tires a bit? 3. Next, look al the interior. Does the fabric need to be cleaned and/or repaired? Would a sun roof make "Old Faithful" snazzier? To estimate the costs of a cosmetic upgrading, you'll need the help of a body and paint shop plus an upholstery and trim professional. If you decide to revamp the car you already own, de pending upon the extent of the project, you may need a little help from your bank. Most banks will be eager to finance a loan for repairs on an older car — the sum will be less and therefore a reduced risk. The customer's payments will be smaller and on a shorter term. So the options beckon: • a new car that may strain the budget and depreciate greatly once you drive off the lot; • a used car that's an unknown; and • the once-beloved car you already own. Remember, regardless of the work your car requires, it won't likely be as costly as the first two options! Pul the pencil to it and arrive at a conclusive figure. Treat your car to a makeover or an upgrade and, in return, it will give you extended years of driving enjoyment. Programs to help you shop smarter Aside from choosing a make and model, one of the most important decisions facing the car buyer is who to buy from. Motor-vehicle experts at Ontario's consumer ministry want car buyers to know about two programs that can help them make a well-informed choice. The buyer of a car less than four years old may be protected by the Ontario Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (OMVAP) and a vehicle of any age is covered under the Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund (MVDCF), provided it was bought from a provincially registered dealer. OMVAP is an arbitration program to settle disputes between consumers and auto producers when cars driven for personal or family use - not commercial vehicles - show signs of manufacturing defects. "Whether you bought a Lamborghini or a Land Rover, if it's a lemon you may be awarded compensation for repairs or even replacement of the vehicle under this plan," says Bob Pierce, the ministry's registrar of motor vehicles. "OMVAP provides an alternative to court action with no cost to the consumer." Because the plan is funded by manufacturers and importers of cars in Ontario, only residents of the province may apply for arbitration. When applications are made to OMVAP's central office, the files are handled by one of six branches of the Better Business Bureau across the province or the Arbitration and Mediation Institute of Ontario. One of the offices will contact the applicant and ask for any documents needed for the case. A neutral third party will then be assigned to arbitrate. Most people who call OMVAP to inquire about the program don’t file a claim. However, the majority of those who do file receive an award. As well as the protection against mechanical defects offered by OMVAP, car buyers are protected by another safety net when they buy from a dealer - the Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund. This fund is sponsored by dealers and applies to any vehicle sold by a car dealer registered in Ontario. If the dealership goes bankrupt or doesn't deliver a car you have paid for, you can apply for compensation of up to $10,000. For more information on buying a car, including private sales, write or call for a free copy of a brochure. They are available from the Consumer Information Centre, 1st Floor, 555 Yonge St., Toronto, or call 326-8555. Protect from summer heat Summertime temperatures and heat from your car's engine can cause motor oil to lose viscosity or become thinner, resulting in an overheated automobile. Engineers suggest checking the owner's manual to select the correct motor oil viscosity grade. A SAE 10W30 or 10W40 motor oil is recommended for year-round use where there is a seasonal temperature change. The majority of late model cars suggest a SAE 5W3O or 10W30 motor oil. For areas with consistently warm climates, experts recommend using a thicker oil such as SAE 20W40 or 20W50 motor oil. It is a good rule of thumb to change the oil every 5,000 kms (3,000 miles). They also emphasize the importance of closely monitoring engine oil levels and changing the oil and oil filter. With an increased emphasis being placed on self service, it is important to check your oil often and not to let the level get down below one quart. Engines on the new cars often hold less oil than in years past, magnifying the problem of running low on oil. The ^1 simply has to work harder, and it is prudent to use a high quality oil. Here are six easy steps for changing your own oil and saving money, too. You will need: an oil filter wrench, the amount and type of motor oil recommended for your car's engine, an oil filter, a wrench to remove the drain plug, and a low, wide pan to catch the used oil. • Step 1: Position car in a safe spot. Run engine up to operating temperature, then turn off. Set the parking brake. • Step 2: Place drain pan under the car beneath the oil drain plug. Use the wrench to loosen the drain plug. The oil will be hot, so watch your hands. • Step 3: Next, remove the oil filter with the filter wrench by turning counter-clockwise. Be careful not to turn the oil filter upside down because it will be filled with oil. • Step 4: After allowing enough time to drain the oil fully, replace and tighten the oil drain plug, and install the new oil filter. Use your finger to put a light film of oil on the filter gasket and tighten the new filler by hand to ensure a tight seal. • Step 5: Check the owner's manual for the oil fill location and add new oil. Use the proper weight for your car and climate. • Step 6: Dispose of the used oil in an environmentally safe and legally recognized manner. SHARP DEALS Jeff Cook Licenced Class 'A* Mechanic Box 608, Clinton, ON JC AUTO REPAIR ON QUALITY - CLEAN READY-TO-GO USED CARS Great Savings on These Used Cars & Trucks. Some One Owner Low Mileage. 1995 Tauras GL - loaded, 4 door 1994 Ford Tempo GL - 4 door with air 1993 GMC Half ton pickup with fiberglass top 1992 Grand Caravan LE, loaded 1991 Grand Marquis - 4 door, loaded 1989 Olds Custom Cruiser Station Wagon - air and other options 1988 Chev Caprice Brougham - 4 door, loaded 1987 GMC Pickup - V8, with topper, good condition 238 Albert St. (Hwy. #4 N.) CLINTON (519) 482-1143 ~ Repairs to all makes of cars and trucks. ~ HAMM’S BLYTH PHONE 523-4342 CARTER’S WEST END GARAGE AND BODY SHOP EXHAUST AND BRAKE COMPLETE COLLISION REPAIR SPECIALISTS AND PAINTING WHEEL ALIGNMENT & BALANCING TOWING OWNER-OPERATOR HARVEY CARTER 215 HURON ST., BOX 728 PH: (519) 482-9363 CLINTON, ONT. N0M 1L0 FAX (519) 482-3534 DAN'S AUTO REPAIR - COMPLETE MECHANICAL SERVICE - COMPUTERIZED TUNE-UPS - TIRES - BRAKES MUFFLERS - VEHICLE INSPECTION STATION Owned and Operated by Dan & Heather Snell RR 3, Blyth, Ont. NOM 1HO (on the Westfield Rd.) DAN SNELL, Automotive Technician 523-4356 i r r WING HAM V y Certified Used Cars & Repairs to all makes and models Box 874 North St. W. Wingham, Ont. NOG 2W0