The Citizen, 1999-04-21, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1999.
Spring Car Care 1999
Pre-vacation check-up lessens worries
Planning to explore Canada in
your car during your spring or
summer vacation?. Or are you
driving to the cottage this summer?
Canada is a beautiful country,
and there is so much to see and do
on your summer vacation, but if
your family vehicle will be used on
this trip have it checked out before
you leave. It could mean the
difference between an economical
family vacation and a disastrously
expensive one.
Like most Canadians you
probably experienced a relatively
mild winter, so you may be
tempted to think that your regular
spring maintenance on your vehicle
isn't required. Think again. The
winter months, no matter how mild.
can cause normal deterioration of
certain vehicle parts, such as rubber
hoses and belts, exhaust brackets,
fluid level depletions, etc.
If you are one of the millions of
Canadians who will be vacationing
in your family vehicle, Car Care
Canada recommends you follow
this simple advice and avoid the
last minute rush for needed
maintenance or repairs. It could
save you time and money. Planning
pays off.
Before you leave on your trip,
have the following systems
checked and serviced as needed.
• Cooling system
• Engine system, including an oil
and filter change
• Engine and Electrical system
• Under car, including brake and
exhaust systems, tires, suspension
and wheel alignment
• Transmission, verify fluid levels,
etc.
• Lights
• Windshield wipers
And don't forget the intenor and
exterior appearance of your vehicle
- family travel can be hard on a
vehicle. For example, a minor
upholstery tear can turn into a
gaping hole during a family
vacation. A hole in the carpet at the
accelerator pedal can become a
safety hazard if it catches your heel
in an emergency. A dragging mud
guard can turn into a dangerous
projectile for the car behind you.
Consider repairing these minor
problems before you leave so that
th’ey don't become major problems
on the trip.
It's really quite simple, practising
these simple preventative
maintenance techniques can save
you lots of time and money on your
vacation. Replacing a bracket on
your exhaust system before you
leave will cost you under $20,
replacing your entire muffler on
your vacation will cost you
considerably more money, as well
as a great deal of your vacation
time.
Car Care Canada wishes you a
safe and fun vacation.
Car products better choice
For many drivers, the first warm
days of spring bring the unwelcome
realization that their car still wears
its winter coat of grime. Worse
than being unsightly, that layer of
dirt represents a corrosive assault
on a car's finish.
So along with your household
spring cleaning, why not include a
fresh approach to cleaning your
car?
Too often a car wash consists of
the traditional hose and bucket
mixture of dishwashing liquid.
While household cleaners may be
convenient and mild on your hands,
they can be hard on your car.
Do the job properly, suggests Car
Care Canada, by assembling a kit
of the right car cleaning necessities
and keeping these materials
together and available for regular
use. Some products once available
only to professionals now can be
found at your local automotive
store.
Constantly improving their
formulas, the car care chemical
industry offers entire lines of
advanced products that provide a
hi-tech clean. Some boast the
ability to bond, protect and/or
intensify hues.
Specially formulated products
include^cleaning solutions for both
interior and exterior finish as well
as tires, glass and trim. Rubber,
trim and vinyl protectants, along
with detailing solutions and waxes,
also are in the line-up.
Are so many items necessary?
They are if you're planning to do a
first class "home detailing",
according to the Council. The mild
cleaner for your car's finish won't
clean the stubborn dirt off your
tires nor will it preserve flexible
rubber seals and mouldings. In fact,
using the wrong cleaner on some
newer car surfaces, like those
"chrome" plastic strips, can damage
the finish.
Time spent in the automotive
aisle reading the labels of these
new cleaning products and waxes is
time well invested. Components of
your car cleaning kit should include
a soft sponge for cleaning the car's
surface, a brush for the tires and a
chamois or terry cloth towel for
drying. Read and follow the
directions for each product. Advice
you're likely to read: avoid washing
or waxing in the sun and don't use
hot water.
Car Care Canada suggests a good
cleaning, inside and out, monthly,
depending on weather and other
conditions. In between regular
cleaning remove bug splatters, road
tar and bird droppings as soon as
possible. The latter can leave
permanent spots on the paint.
Regular visits to the drive-
through car wash will help keep
your vehicle sparkling clean.
Waxing is recommended at least
once a year, preferably every six
months.
Again, be careful to pick out the
right product for your car's finish.
If you have questions, consult your
owner's manual or ask someone at
your auto supply store.
CdRQUEST
AUTO PARTS
Gaunt QatUaio-n
<£ QiL&to-tniainy
* Free Estimates * Insurance Claims
RAYMOND WILTS
PROPRIETOR
TELEPHONE 1-519-523-9726
FAX 1-519-523-9908
R.R. #1
Auburn, ON
N0M 1E0
1 1/2 miles south of Blyth
Wheeler Auto Glass
Div. of Wheeler Bus Lines Inc.
New location 32 Water St., Wingham
Box 117 Wingham, Ont. NOG 2W0
FREE MOBILE SERVICE - (519) 357-1270
INSTALLER - JIM RIVETT,
MANAGER - GERALD WHEELER
Jeff Cook
Licenced Class 'A' Mechanic
Box 608, Clinton, ON
JC AUTO REPAIR
238 Albert St. (Hwy. #4 N.) CLINTON
(519) 482-1143
~ Repairs to all makes of cars and trucks. ~
Car Clean Up Specials
EXTERIOR CLEAN - exterior wash,
exterior chamois, clean white walls
FULL CLEAN - exterior wash,
clean interior & exterior windows,
vacuum interior, clean dash
WASH & WAX - full clean, exterior wax
SHAMPOO INTERIOR
$15.00 all vehicles
$30.00 cars
$40.00 vans & trucks
$79.95 & up
$75.00 & up
FORD BRIDGE MOTORS LIMITED
FORD SALES, LEASING & SERVICE
Wingham
Call 519-357-3460
Say Good Bye to the Winter Blahs
As well as the salt and grunge & say
Hi to Spring with a car care cleaning
at Radford Fuels
Call Donna & book now to have your car cleaned
inside and out, waxed and polished
523-4581
Or do-it-yourself with these fine products
from Radford Auto
Blyth 523-9681 or Brussels 887-9661
SAVE 10% on the following car care products
Blue Diamond - one step glaze
425 ml pt# 298
metal polish
100 g pt# 1000
glass treatment
See better, drive safer
200 ml pt# RX713
one step, shampoo
and waxing system
455 ml pt# 851
Armorall -
Autosol -
Rain X -Spray Nine
protectant
protects and beautifies
vinyl, rubber & plastic
500 ml pt# 10500
muli-purpose
germicidal cleaner
700 ml pt# KI
Wash 'n Wax -
cSrquest
AUTO PARTS
Specials in effect until
May 5, 1999
C4RQUEST
AUTO PARTS