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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2006-04-20, Page 16YTYVVYTYVVYYTTYVVITYVVYY -441 -40 -411 -4111 UURKHOLDEil -.. -.4 1.- r.- AUTO BODY & TOWING LTD. ...- -.. po.▪ Owned and operated by Bill & Brenda Burkholder BLYTH, ON NOM I HO 1.1P- 24 Hour Towing • "Big or Small, Will Tow 'em all!" 519-523-9474 • TOLL FREE 1-800-350-6993 = Complete = Collision Repairs Our Farmers, Friends, Our Neighbours Are Facing Real Challenges Particularly. Canadian Beef Producers! 1111 Farmers Feed Cities 411. PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2006. ON THE ROAII.! Hot weather the culprit behind battery woes Summer is the season for major car-battery problems. Heat, not cold, shortens battery life, says Car Care Canada. Excessive heat and overcharging are the two main reasons for shortened battery life. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, damaging the internal structure of the battery. A malfunctioning component in the charging system. usually the voltage regulator, allows too high a charging rate. That's slow death for a battery. True, there are more road service calls in cold weather for dead batteries that cause starting failure,. That's when a battery's output is diminished because of sluggish electro-chemicat action that gives the battery its power. Also, colder temperatures increase thickness of the engine oil; making the engine harder to turn over. These factors lead to harder starting. "An average of one out of four vehicles gets a new battery every year," says Marc Brazeau of Car Care Canada. "Sooner or later all batteries have to be replaced, but having to so prematurely can involve more than the cost of a road service call and a new battery, it can he inconvenient as well." To get the most life out of a battery, Brazeau suggests the following: • Be sure the electrical system is charging at the correct rate; overcharging can damage a battery as quickly as undercharging. '• If your battery is the type that needs to be topped off, check it regularly, especially in hot weather. Add distilled water when necessary. • Always replace a battery with one that's rated at least as high as the one originally specified. • Keep the top of the battery clean. Dirt becomes a conductor, which drains battery power. Further, as corrosion accumulates on batteky terminals it becomes an insulator, inhibiting current flow. Take the drivetrain quiz Your car's drivetrain is a vital power-transmitting component and key to dependability. It's responsible for transmitting the flow of power from the engine to the wheels. The components include the clutch, torque converter, transmission, driveshafts (or axle shafts in front wheel drive), Ujoints, CV joints, differential and axles. Most motorists take these components for granted until something goes wrong. That "something" can range from leaks or strange noises to shifting problems to total failure. If you do a lot of stop-and-go-driving, tow a trailer or otherwise subject your vehicle to unusual service, check your owner's manual for recommendations. With regular checks and maintenance you can expect two bonuses: a more dependable car, as v, ell as fewer and smaller repair Although you may want to get rid of your present vehicle in favour of a new car, taking better care of your current set of wheels may make much more sense in the long run — helping you- achieve a goal of financial freedom. "We advise our clients that if they want a 10 per cent increase on their investments every year, they need to cut down on their expenses," said Terry Mulcahy, vice presi- dent of investments for R.W. Baird. "A new automobile is, for most people, their second biggest investment next to a home, so a great way to save money and increase financial assets is to hang onto their currem. vehicle rather than buy a new one every tew years. Budgeting for and doing pi eventauve maintenance on your „ar is one of the hest ways to cut your costs and Keep your car." Car Care Canada estimates that more than $2 billion in vehicle maintenance and repair is not performed every year. evidence that there is considerably more that consumers should he doing to protect their automotive investments. "!Wnether its an oil change, replacing brakes or new belts and hoses, that periodic repair bill is a drop in the bucket compared to monthly payments on • a new car," says Car Care Canada's Marc Brazeau. "The bottom line is that a properly maintained vehicle is sale. more dependable, more iuel efficient. less polluting and more valuable. The smartest way to get a solid return on im estment, is to keep your car bills. See how much you kno,w about your vehicle's drive train. I. If you hear a loud clucking sound as you shift your rear wheel drive car from-drive to reverse, you probably need: a) new universal joints. b) universal joints tightened. c) transmission mounts tightened. - 2. The most common cause of damage to an automatic transmission is a) driving too fast in second gear. b) failure to have bands adjusted. c) overheating due to improper use. 3. The drive train most commonly used in new cars is a) front engine, front drive. b) front engine, rear drive. c) rear engine, rear drive. 4. Most automatic transmissions are cooled by a) the vehicle's air conditioning system. - through what we call the 'Cinderella Era.' It's that. period of time after the payoff when your car is still in great shape and needs only modest repairs." Figures from Runzheimer International, a management consulting firni that measures travel and living costs, confirms Car Care. Canada's claims. Recent figures Iron) a Runiheimer study show that trading a vehicle b) a fan driven air cooler. c) the engine cooling system. 5. A lock-up torque converter is a a) theft-proof device built onto an automatic transmission. b) torque converter that serves as a parking brake. c) torque converter in which the fluid coupling is mechanically locked out, providing a solid, non- slipping connection for better efficiency. ANSWERS: 1. a) By the time the noise has become noticeably loud universal joint failure may be imminent. You could be stuck on the side of the road. 2. c) Improper use can range from heavy duty- trailer towing without adequate cooling to excessive "rocking" out of a snow drift. 3) a) 4) e) 5) c) sense every eight years instead of every four can save more than $3,000 a year after the payoff. That includes repairs and maintenance, licence, registration. axes and insurance. BUY? SELL? TRY CLASSIFIED J.L. McCUTCHEON GM MOTORS CHEVROLET Canada. Downtown BRUSSELS 887-6856 or 1-888-351-9193 LUBE, OIL & 412708 FILTER and IIPA & 10 POINT CHECK 10 Point Check Includes... * Test Antifreeze PH * Check Cooling System Leaks * Check Wiper Blades * Top Up Washer Fluid Check Air Conditioning Performance * Check Air Filter * Check Fan Belts * Check Rad Hoses * Cneck Tires Check all Lights Remember... Every Wednesday is Senior's Day Receive 10% off parts & labour Free pick up and deliver within 5 miles of Brussels vehicle may make Maintaining present AUBURN AUTO TRIM New & Used Truck Accessories • Toppers • Box Liners • Tonneau Covers • Running Boards • Trim & Striping • Detailing 131 York St., P.O. Box 134 Auburn, ON NOM 1E0 Phone: (519) 526-1078 1 1 95