Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1987-11-11, Page 26Page 1OA Times -Advocate, November 11, 1987 Prepare for winter months ahead Don't get caught by an early freeze this.ycar. Take the time now to pre- pare your car for the cold winter monthjthead: The experts at Prestone offer these guidelines to help you give your car the winter protection it needs: * Check Antifreeze/Coolant Level If your•car's cooling system has an antifreeze/coolant recovery reser- voir, the radiator should be full of antifreczt. If your car does not have a recovery reservoir, the antifreeze Ievc; should be about one inch be- low the filler neck when the engine is cold. Antifreeze/coolant like Preston° Advanced Formula is especially g(xxl for cooling systems because it not only lowers the freezing point of the system to -84 degrees F., but raises its boilover temperatures to 276 degrees F. Protects all types of metals In addition, the product incorpo- rates an inhibitor system that pro- tects against corrosion on all types of metals typically found in cooling systems. *inspect For Contamination - Visually inspect the antifreeze, which should be free from sedi- ment. If sediment is present, the cooling system should be flushed and refilled with fresh antifreeze. * Flush Out Radiator Corrosion - Old antifreeze may still prevent freeze-up and boilover, but the chemicals that prevent rust and cor- rosion are substantially depleted af- ter an average year's service. To keep your cooling system in the best condition, it should be cleaned out with a product such as Prestone Super Flush before a new supply uply of antifreeze/coolant is add- Fluhing is a simple procedure, re- quiring only a garden hose in addi- tion to the attachments supplied with a kit such as the Prestone Flush'N Fill Kit. Flush entire system The kit allows you to flush out your entire cooling system in about five minutes, leaving it clean and operating more efficiently. * Refill Antifreeze/Coolant - To refill the antifreeze/coolant, check the capacity of your cooling system in your owner's manual. Pour enough antifreeze into your radiator Special chemicals available to solve new car problems Within the past 12 to 18 months, a number of new car problems have been in the news. These problems have centered around the great strides forward in automobile tech- nology and great strides backward in gasoline technology. First, increases in engine octane requirements have been occurring as automobile manufacturers have been pressured to find new ways to fur- ther improve fuel economy. Second, the combination of new fuel injector technology and lower fuel quality has caused many new engines to experience loss of perfor- mance due to -injector clogging. Finally, the removal of lead from gasoline is threatening autos de- signed to run on leaded gasoline with catastrophic valve seat wear. When these problems occur, the solution is often expensive. Premi- um gasoline is more premium than ever, with cost differentials between premium and regular gasoline push- ing 30 cents or more per gallon in many cases. Fuel injector clogging requires a visit to the dealer or repair shop for a costly injector cleaning service or, in some cases, injector replacement. A new approach to handling these problems is the use of special chemicals added to gasoline in the vehicle tank. One company, Gold Eagle Co., of Chicago, Illinois, has introduced a whole new line of four do-it-yourself gasoline additives called The Quantum System. Each of the four formulas is de- signed to solve one of the problems mentioned above. This preiblem- solving approach is expected to be the new trend in gasoline addiives. The days of mystery are fading away. Now gasoline additives vire more than just a wish and a prayer, With products like the Quantum System, auto DIYers can find the product that solves their particular problem instead of buying a general purpose gas additive that may or may not help. -~WHAT'S CAUSING AI.1. THAT RuST?" Look out for salt, corrosion Winter is just around the corner. Driving will be hazardous. Your lo- cal highw y department is readying its snow removal equipment, and stockpiling mountains of salt and calcium chloride. These ice and snow melting chem- icals mix with sand and dirt and ac- cumulate in hidden areas of your car: Fender wells, door and vehicle frames, moldings, and all sorts of nooks and crannies. The damp mixture rapidly attacks metal areas where paint or under - coatings have chipped or worn away. Oxidation begins and shows up as ugly rust. The process continues eating away at your car as long as the caked -up masses of dirt stay moist. During dry weather, the rusting stops but, as soon as it snows or rains, it starts again and will continue this way until it consumes all metal to which it is exposed. Car makers constantly are trying new metal coatings to prevent rust from starting. But, once chipped or scratched away, the bare metal will start rusting at the first sign of moisture. There are steps you can take to stop this vicious destruction of both the underside and the. painted areas of your car. Next time your car is in the shop for repairs, have your service man r put it on a lift. Use his work light or take your own powerful flash- light. Make a note of all the pock- ets of accumulated mud and dirt. Also, these types of products are often able to solve the problems of dirty fuel injectors, power loss, hes- itation, stalling, surges, sluggish- ness, rough idle and lost fuel econo- my with only one treatment. Old gas additives had to be used with every tankful to be fully effec- tive, and problems would persist for several tankfuls before the additive could help. The new stronger addi- tives work much more quickly, and need not be used more than once every two to three months. Slow warmups can be harmful If your car has been slow to warm up during these cold mornings, your engine may need a new ther- mostat. This is a temperature - `actuated valve that controls the flow tf cool water from the radiator to he engine. Its main function: To hod the engine temperature within specified limits, not only for maxi- mal') efficiency but also for passen- ger ctppmfort. Relipcing this part is a relatively minor'expense that could pay for it- self in Kort order, says Car Care Council, A thermostat that's stuck in the op4n position will allow the engine toun too cold, accelerating wear on %tical parts. Cold opera- tion can create condensation water in the crank1ase, causing the oil to form sludge, oo. Further, a old engine may burn 10 to 20 perc should. A the the closed posi hand, will restr causing overheat damage to the engi Another valve in t tem is the radiator This keeps the cooli der pressure, thereby i boiling point of the c. When the pressure cap t more gas than it stat that sticks in n, on the other t coolant flow, and possible cooling sys- ressure cap. system un- rcasing the n1 its the car may overheat and coop will be lost to the overflow tank. for a 50 to 70 percent concentration (70 perccnt will provide maximum freezing protection for cooler weath- er). Blore replacing the radiator cap, run the engine until it reaches a nor- mal temperature. Then turn off the engine, let it cool about three min- utes, and check the coolant level. Again, add more antifreeze if neces- sary. Importance of periodic checks Finally, remember to periodically check your coolant level to ensure trouble-free driving all winter. SUNOC Dripless Car OiIing • Guaranteed Walker Exhaust • Tires • Batteries • Brakes •Servicing • Sunoco Gas and Oil Erb Bros. Garage Ltd. 16 Main St., Zurich 236-4812 ��- HENSALL MOTORS LTD. MERCURY ' LINCOLN T "When we fix it... • Alternator • Fuel Pump • Carburetor • Shocks • Water Pump + Thousands of other parts! • Thermostat • Headlights • Ball Joints • Muffler � guarantee it for life::" WM,�E o tie_ SERVICE MANAGER We use.only genuine Ford, Motorcraft, or Ford Remanufactured parts.. "These parts and thousands of others are backed by my free Lifetime Service Guarantee I'll give you a repair guarantee that lasts a lifetime — and it's free Here's how it works. When we fix your Ford -built car• or light truck, you pay only once. I'll guarantee that if the covered pan ever has to be fixed again, see will fix a free. Free parts. Free labour. My Lifetime Service Guarantee lasts as long as you own your vehicle, no matter where you bought it or how old it is So come in today and find out more about my Lifetime Service Guarantee. I back our repairs for life." This limited warranty covers vehicles in normal use. and rutudes routine maintenance parts. belts. hoses, sheet metal. and upholstery LINCOLN, MERCURY We fix cars for keeps. & FORD TRUCKS OUR QUALITY IS SHOWING AT HENSALL MOTORS LTD. 94 London Rd., Hensoll, Ont. (519) 262-2604 LONDON LINE - 227-1020 Business Hours Service 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p. Mon. to Fri. Soles 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p. Mon. to Fri. 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p. Saturday Michelin's NEW winter tire...the -biter that • longer! True gripe Excellent traction, efficient braking on ice and snow!