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!