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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1991-10-30, Page 11A —WTNTF.R CAF[ CARE aw 4aaa- How to clean up your used car: Simple tips to maximize the value of your trade-in It's no secret that a clean,. new -looking car will sell more quickly than one that has been neglected. So when it comes time to trade-in your used car, here are a few quick, easy steps to maximize its value at resale. Begin with the finish The first step to a newer - looking car is a thorough car wash. although it is tempting to save money by using household products to wash a car, these ac- tually do mom harm than good. Some household cleaners con- tain a high alkaline content that is effective on grease, but can streak a car's wax and leave un- sightly spots that are difficult to remove. Instead, use a car wash formu- lated specifically for the car's paint surface. Products such as Armor All Car Wash are pH balanced to safely remove paint -damaging residue that builds up on the surface. Next, a new coat of wax will enhance the car's shine and give it a showroom finish. Most cars manufactured after 1980 require a wax that is safe for today's multi -layered paint systems. These systems are finished with a clean top coat which can be damaged or scratched by waxes with abrasive ingredients. Cleanliness counts inside After thoroughly vacuuming the car and trunk, remove ground -in dirt and stains from the carpets, upholstery, dash- board, door panels, console and headliner with an all-purpose car cleaner. After cleaning these surfaces, a quality, silicone -based protec- tant such as Armor All will help restore the original shine and colour. Applying protectant to the dash will make a bid differ- ence, but for the finishing touch, use protectant on the door pan- els, weather stripping, trim, bumpers and - don't forget the tires. Easy under -hood cleaning Finally, rinse away dirt and grime from under the hood. Use an engine degreaser or all- purpose automotive cleaner on tough spots. Armor All Car Cleaner, for example, is strong enough to degrease an engine and clean brake dust from wheels, yet still safe enough to remove stains from upholstery and carpeting. A small investment of time and money will eliminate many of the headaches normally asso- ciated with selling car. Attentive care now, will contribute not only to prolonging a car's life, but to increasing its resale val- ue, as well. Maximizing the value of your trade-in •Wash the car with a product designed specifically for automotive use. Beware of using household cleaners which may strip the wax, leav- ing unsightly spots. • Apply a new coat of wax. Use a wax that is safe for all finished. • If the car has a traditional enamel finish, and shows symptoms of ox- idation or has "flat" areas, use a cleaner -wax to remove the oxidized paint layers. • If oxidation on the traditional finish is severe, a polishing compound will remove it. Follow with a new coat of wax. • Vacuum the car thoroughly. Don't forget the trunk. • Clean ground in dirt and stains from the door panels, console, weath- er stripping, trim, bumpers and tires with an all-purpose car cleaner. • Use a silicone -based protectant to revitalize the car's interior surfac- es, tires, rubber bumpers and trim. • Lubricate squeaky door hinges and latching mechanisms. • A do-it-yourself car wash makes engine cleaning easy. Use an all- purpose car cleaner or engine degreaser on tough spots. The high viscosity advantage... How to choose the right grade of oil The motor oils available for to- day's passenger cars provide a wide choice of viscosity grades. Motor- ists must choose between lower vis- cosity multi -grade oils, such as Castrol GTX SAE 5W-30 and SAE IOW -30, and higher viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W-50. Choosing the proper grade depends to a large de- gree on your local seasonal temper- ature range and on the particular engine you own. For good oil flow under severely cold temperatures, lighter "W" grade oils such as SAE 5W-30, SAE lOW-30 or SAE IOW -40 are generally recommended. However, at moderate to high ambient tem- peratures, which constitute the ma- jority of U.S. driving conditions, a higher viscosity oil, such as SAE 20W-50, can afford more engine protection. It is well documented that lubri- cant viscosity influences the amount of oil film thickness be- tween critical engine components such as the main and connecting rod bearings. During normal pas- senger car acceleration, bearing oil films can be reduced to a thickness that is 100 times thinner than a piece of paper. A high viscosity oil such as SAE 20W-50 provides a significantly larger cushion of oil film protection against engine wear and metal to metal contact than do lighter viscosity oils. Also, SAE 20W-50 motor oils have improved volatility, or less tendency to evaporate under high temperature conditions, than lower viscosity oils. You may find that your automo- bile manufacturer recommends a lighter viscosity oil, such as SAE 5W-30 or SAE IOW -30 in your owner's manual. Since 1975, under government Corporate Average Fuel Economy (C.A.F.E.) require- ments, automobile manufacturers must meet minimum fuel economy limits or face heavy fines and pen- alties. Lighter viscosity oils, which are classified as Energy Conserving 11 (ECU), are frequently recom- mended because they can provide incremental increases in fuel econo- my. However, a high viscosity oil such as Castro) OTX SAB 20W-50 can provide superior engine protec- tion and continues to represent an excellent lubricant choice for to- day's vehicles. MacTavish Sunoc 544 Main St. S., Exeter 2352244 Ultra Clean 94 Exeter's only soft cloth automatic car wash Interior & Exterior Clean Up only $1850 plus G.S.T. 1 4 Tips to tote for year round car travel Fall travel can be an exciting family experience if the correct precautions are taken before the trip. Obvious things like getting the car in shape and planning ac- tivities for the children, as well as knowing where to turn in case of an emergency, are important to minimize the headaches and max- imize the pleasure of your trip. One of the first things to inves- tigate is your car's maintenance. This is the time to get an oil change, if needed, and check the cooling system hoses and connec- tions for leaks and weak spots. Make sure to bring an emergency kit that includes flares, jumper cables, tools, a flashlight, a dis- tress sign (many are on the back of cardboard windshield shades), and a fust aid kit. While driving, keep constant tabs on tire pressure and fluid levels and be on the lookout for anything unusual in the engine's performance or in the steering or brakes. Another thing to have in your back pocket is a plan including reputable credit card in case your car breaks down or an emergency occurs. While you may be Lucky enough to avoid any medical mishaps on the road, one thing you'll have to deal with is boredom. One cure is to bring along your children's fa- vorite toys and give them out one at a time throughout the duration of the trip. If travelling to a warm climate, consider sun protection; window shades are an important safety and comfort feature for the back seats where the children sit. Also, remember to bring plenty of beverages and nutritious snacks such as fruit or vegetables to tide the little ones over until mealtime. If you know the roadways will be busy, leave yourself plenty of extra time to get where you're go- ing in case there is traffic. Also, make sure to take plenty of rest stops to keep alert, and chart your route carefully if you are not fa- miliar with it. Traveling can be a pleasure if planned correctly and nothing is left to chance. Take the precau- tions you need to ensure a safe and comfortable trip for your precious cargo. . Read the owner's manual What is black and white, seldom read and usually gathers dust in your vehicle's glove compartment? If you said it's the owner's manu- al, go to the head of the class. If like most buyers of cars, vans and light trucks, however, you failed to read the manual carefully, be pre- pared to pay for your oversight. "Nobody bothers to read them," states Tom Walker, Protection Group Product Manager at Ziebart. "Yet the owner's manual spells out every precaution an owner must take to satisfy the manufacturers warranties on the vehicle." Most of these precautions are es- pecially critical when it comes to preparing your vehicle for winter, says Walker. "The average owner pays atten- tion to such things as engine cool- ants, batteries, tires, belts and wind- shield wipers, and that's good," he notes. "However, they seldom both- er to check unseen areas that are equally critical to warranty mainte- nance." Virtually every vehicle manufac- turer specifies that drain holes in doors, quarter panels and fender wells must be kept open to prevent mud and moisture buildup in corro- sion -prone body components. High-pressure cleaning of enclosed areas and metal underbody parts to remove dirt, mud, and dust -control chemicals is recommended, along with retreatment of surfaces that are exposed to continual dampness caused by humidity from salt -laden snow or sea air. Manufacturers also caution vehi- cle owners to wash exterior body metals frequently to remove con- taminants like industrial pollutants and dust -control chemicals that at- tack painted surfaces. "Getting a vehicle ready for win- ter isn't necessarily a priority for most people during the fall months," says Walker, "but they can save themselves time and mon- ey by preparing for the worst that winter weather inevitably brings." There are outlets that specialize in a wide range of automotive after- market services for both new and used vehicles, many of them availa- ble on a while -you -wait basis. "Like the manufacturers, we sug- gest carefully following the advice offered in the owner's manual," says Walker. "That's the best way to make certain the warranties on your vehicle will remain in effect." Kids and cans! If your autumn plans include car trips, make sure you take these important precautions: Check out your car's engine before the trip plan amusements to keep the kids occupied while on the road, and bring your Gold Mas- terCard. S Straight Line � Collision Have you ever been locked out of your vehicle, while you have the keys In your hand??? This is what could happen to you in the cold months of winter if your lock and door handle Iinkeages aren't properly lubricated. Stop in and see us and we'll save you from being late', 'for an important date FREE of charge. Offer good throughout the month of November. 4 miles South of Exeter on #4 Hwy. 228-6114 Don Stuckless Authorized GENERAL TIRE Get Dealer ,AF XP2000 AS HR AMERI*WAY XP2000H AMERI*WAY XT XP2000 GRABBER AT DUAL STEEL GRIPPER GENERAL RADIAL MS "You say Generals are some of the best tires on the road." "Just try 'eat!" PLGOMA 1 JIRE Algona TIr.(Ex.Nr) Ltd. 235-0330 246 Main St. North Exeter Out of town 1-800-265-4247