The Citizen, 1999-10-20, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1999.
Gear Up for Fall Car Care
Find the right mechanic
The average Canadian consumer
spends more than $750 per year on
maintenance. By practising regular
maintenance you can reduce that
amount and prolong the life of your
vehicle.
But how do you find a mechanic/
automotive service technician,
you can trust?
Rule number one for finding a
good mechanic/technician: don’t
wait until you’re desperate for help.
Finding an automotive service
technician you trust, is like finding
a doctor or a minister - you need to
build a relationship based on trust
and mutual respect. These things
don’t happen overnight.
Most of the business for a repair
garage is from referrals. The only
way to get referral business is from
satisfied customers. So, if you are
looking for a new automotive
service technician, ask around. Ask
your friends, relatives, business
associates, church members -
anyone you can think of. You’ll
probably get a more reliable feel
for who is good and who is not by
getting several opinions instead of
just one.
If you get a chance, drop in and
meet the technicians who will be
working on your car. Is the shop
tidy and well organized? Do they
have the latest computer
equipment? Is there evidence that
the mechanics jn the shop take
regular training courses on the
latest automotive and diagnostic
technology?
The days of the mechanic under
the hood with a screwdriver, tuning
things until they sing just right, are
a distant memory. Now, they have
to be computer literate technicians,
interpreting the communications
between the on-board computer
system and the diagnostic
computers in the shop.
Whether you go to an
independent garage, a department
store, or a franchised repair centre
doesn’t matter all that much. In the
end, it all comes down to trust.
You’re looking for somebody who
is willing to tell you which repairs
should be made immediately,
which can be delayed without
affecting safety, and which are
completely optional
performance upgrades.
Look for certificates
diplomas on your service
technician’s wall indicating that
they are continuously upgrading
for
and
their skills by taking courses and
completing a variety of programs in
their field.
Car Care Canada notes that you
can help your automotive service
technician to help you, too! When
you take your car in with a
problem, tell the technician what
the symptoms are (not what you
think the problem is). Describe
whether it happens when the car is
warm or cold, at highway speeds or
in the city, stopping or accelerating,
etc.
Get to know your car, too. Read
through the owner’s manual so you
know what to expect. Turn off your
stereo once in a while and listen to
the sound of your car when it’s
healthy, so you’re better able to
notice when it needs help.
M.G.M.
Townsend Tire
We sell, service & install a full line of
farm, truck & passenger tires
1 mile east of Londesboro
on County Rd. 15
“We'll keep you rolling”
Phone 523-4742
After Hours: (519) 523-9190
(519) 522-1629
Matt Dan
George Carrie
Wes
PREVIOUSLY OWNED MINIVAN
Sale Prices Valid Until October 31,1999 Only!
1997 Chrysler Town & Country LXI
3.8L V6, leather, traction control, CD player, etc.,
Loaded ++. 62,000 kmt $23,999.
Affordable
Cars J
1993 Nissan Sentra
Sedan
5 spd., stereo, one owner.
ONLY’4195.°°
1992 FORD TEMPO GL
SPORT COUPE
V6, air, stereo low km.
only $3695.°°
1992 PLYMOUTH
ACCLAIM SEDAN
4 cyl., auto, air, sfereo.
only $3995.°°
1991 FORD TEMPO GL
SEDAN
Well equipped, low km.
only $3495.°°
1990 CHEV CORSICA LT
SEDAN
V6, well equipped.
ONLY $3195.°°
1989 PLYMOUTH MINI VAN
Lux. edition, well equipped.
only $2995.°°
1988 FORD Fl50 PICKUP SL
5 spd., above average.
only $3495.°°
MURRAY
MOTORS
SALES
230 Huron Rd., Goderich
524-2888
1997 Dodge Caravan SE Sport
3.3 L V6, air, cruise, tilt, power door locks, power windows,
anti-lock brakes, cast aluminum wheels.
$15,995.
1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager LE
Loaded, air, cruise, tilt, power windows,
locks, driver's seat, etc., 106,000 km
_ 5,995.
1996 Dodge Caravan, 98,000 km.....................$11,995.
1996 Ford Aerostar 103,000 km.............................$8,995.
1995 Dodge Caravan 104,000 km.......................$8,995.
1994 Dodge Grand Caravan SE $7,995.
1993 Plymouth Grand Voyager LE loaded . $7,995.
1993 Plymouth Voyager LE loaded...................$10,995.
1993 Plymouth Grand Voyager LE loaded... $6,995.
1992 Ford Aerostar XLTAWD .......................$4,995.
1991 Dodge Grand Caravan LE loaded..........$6,995.
1991 Plymouth Voyager SE...................... $6,995.
1991 Plymouth Voyager LE AWD, loaded .. $7,995.
1991 Plymouth Voyager SE...........................$5,995.
1989 Dodge Grand Caravan LE loaded..........$3,995.
1989 Plymouth Voyager LE loaded.....................$3,995.
1989 Plymouth Voyager LE loaded.....................$3,995.
North End of Brussels 887-6173
Dodge
Dodge Trucks
CHRYSLER