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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1992-10-28, Page 14Page 14 Times -Advocate,. October 28, 1992 FALL CAR CAR Don't get stuck... I for todav's auto consumers Prepping your cooling system for winter Tips for your car's upholstery specuon. Here is a systematic checklist that you can do in your own driveway, in about an hour. Inspect for cooling system leaks by staging the car And allowing pressure to naturally build up in the sys- tem. After eeirming up the engine, the radiator hoses will become noticeably stiffer, indicating adequate pressure in the system. Turn off the engine. With the aid of a flashlight, inspect the exterior of the radiator, and the upper and lower hoses connect- ed to the radiator. Check all the other smaller, cool- ing system hoses, connected by clamps to the front of the engine. Ycu should immediately replace any hos- es that have cuts, abrasions or bulges. Replace hoses Most cooling system hoses fail from the inside, ac- cording to Gates Rubber Company engineers. So, to avoid an unexpected burst or pinhole leak, Gates sug- gests that you replace the hoses - especially the upper radiator hoses - every four year. Before inspecting the antifreeze/coolant, make sure the system's pressure has dropped. (The upper radia- tor hose will feel soft and luke- warm.) Do not remove the cap en- tirely until you arc sure there is no pressure. Once it has been re- moved, inspect the cap's rubber gasket for any signs of cracking. Renlace the cap if its condition is questionable. Inspect the antifreeze. If it has an oily, reddish -brown foam, it may be contaminated by leaking transmission fluid II the anti- freeze is rusty, the cooling system may need a chemical cleaning and flushing. Do -n -yourself kits arca avaialble at parts stores, or professional service will cost you possibly under $50. You should flush the system every two years. Mix proper coolant Once the flush is complete. re- fill the system with a mixture of antifreeze and water that is at least 50 percent but no more than 70 percent, antifreeze. (Your car's owner's manual will list the cool- ing system capacity.) This recom- mended mixture will offer freeze protection to at least ten degrees below zero, and will provide ade- Winter has an uncanny way of creeping up on even the most efficient, most organized car owner. Every car, even a new one, is a candidate for a thorough cooling system in- quate boilover and anticorrosion protection inmost cases. Do not mix different brands-of-antlfroeze. Some brands are not fully compatible with other brands. Gates also advises completing the cooling system service by checking the condition of all drive belts. Several V-shaped belts, a single, long V -ribbed belt, or a combination of both, may be required to turn the cooling system water pump and otter accessories. Twist the bet to look for excessive cracks, fraying of the reinforcement, glazed sidewalts (if it's a V -belt), and missing chunks of ribs if it's a V -ribbed belt. The replacement recommendation is the same for belts and hoses - every four years - or immediately, if damage is severe. A car owner with average mechani- cal skills can change the modern V -ribbed belt in less than an hour. To complete your pre -winter checklist, you should check several other car parts. Inspect the depth of the tire treads, check the windshields wiper blades for tears, cracks and uneven wear, refill the windshield washer reservoir, and clean off the battery cable ter- minals. Preparing your car for winter driving this autumn is a good investment in carefree driving. Easy -to - perform preventive maintenance can save you the cost and inconvenience of a breakdown or the tor- ment of a not -start on a frigid winter morning. j i rL'r/ep ,t) .. .. Propane for winter - aging, tube cracks and hot summer driv- ing may lead to unexpected cooling -System hose failure this winter. It is recommended that you replace these hoses if the car is four years old. 0 Fall Specials The Leaves are Falling and So Are Our Prices FREE Spam Plugs* • With tune up S 89* • 4cyl. .5999* • 6cyl. .7999* • 8 cyl. • Plus parts, some models extra • V6 extra 011 Changes 19995 • With oil change and tune up • Trucks extra, diesels extra SPRING SERVICE SPECIALS mileford 600 Maf� ExeterSt. S., 1 exeter '/!/ The Road to Quality Service* We go the extra miles Call Today 235-0121 For appointment Ask for James or Paul Seniors Extra 1O% oft both parts and labour, t xospt oil changes * with oombleed,# tls "Free Ghastlier series in town" Expires November 30th • .4, Next to your home, your auto-- mobile uto=mobile is probably the second larg- est investment you will make. And with today's high auto prices, keep- ing the inside of your auto clean and stain free can help to increase the vahue of your vehicle over the years. Soil Shield International, the world's largest supplier of retailer - applied DuPont Teflon® fabric protection products, shares several ups to keep you car interior look- ing newer, longer: • Prevent fading by parking your auto in the shade or in a covered area, such as a carport or a garage. • Vacuum upholstery and, carpet each week. Use a clean crevice tool extension to lift out dust and food particles from the seams. • Discourage pets from sitting on or rubbing against car upholstery. Pet hair and body oil transfers easi- ly to fabrics, causing general soil- ing. • Blot spills immediately with a clean white cloth. If the spill is sol- id or semi-solid (like ketchup from french fries at the drive through), remove the excess by gently lifting it with a dull knife. The longer spills are allowed to remain, the more difficult they are to remove. • Always use recommended up- holstery cleaning products. Never use general household cleaning products, because some .may con- tain bleach and abrasive cleaners. • If you find a stain on your auto upholstery, always pre-test the up- holstery cleaning products on an inconspicuous area of the uphol- stery before using the product on the stain. - • Periodic upholstery cleaning by a professional cleaner will help maintain the beauty and extend the life of your car interior. • Use a fabric protector on all of your upholstery and carpet, includ- ing floor mats. Retail sales tax for used vehicles As of October 1, the Ontario retail sales tax (RST) paid on the private purchase of a used car, van or light truck will be based on the vehicle's fair market value. "The fair market value is the greater of the purchase price or the wholesale value of the vehicle, as listed in the Canadian Red Book, a well-known standard throughout the used car industry," says Reve- nue Minister Shelley Wark- Martyn. "It's always been neces- sary to pay tax on the purchase of a used vehicle, whether through a dealer. or privately. However, the appropriate amount of Ontario RST is not always paid when a ve- hicle is transferred. This program will ensure that everyone pays their fair share." The change in the way the tax is calculated is part of the Used Ve- hicle Information Program, a joint project of the ministries of Reve- nue, Transportation and Consumer and Commercial Relations. Paying RST is not necessary on the transfer of all used vehicles. Some changes in ownership, such as gifts between certain family mem- bers can be made tax-free, but only one tax-free transfer every 12 months is allowed. Other exemp- tions include purchases made by Status Indians or diplomats, estate settlements, and purchases made by dealers who hold both a dealer and retail sales tax permit Purchasers must show proof to support all ex- emptions. Part two of the program takes ef- fect on April 1, 1993, when the sell- er of a used vehicle will have to buy a vehicle transfer package, to give to the buyer. The package will include information on the vehicle's Ontario registration history, liens, fair mar- ket value, and any additional forms needed to complete the change in ownership. The cost of the package is $20 and it will be available start- ing in February 1993. "The vehicle transfer package will improve customer service by pro- viding one-stop shopping for vehi- cle information," said Transporta- tion Minister Gilles Pouliot. The package will be available at more than 300 Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Offices in the province and at the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Rela- tions. "This package will give the con- sumer more information about the vehicle which will help in making an informed decision. It does not include a mechanical history of the vehicle, but it will let the buyer know how many previous owners there have been and if there are any outstanding -debts registered against the vehicle," says Marilyn Churley, Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations. For more information on the pay- ment of the RST or the vehicle transfer package, call 1-800-263- 7965. For French language enquir- ies, call 1-800-668-5821. Users of a Telephone Device for the Deaf, call 1-800-263-7776. CLINTON-EXETER Now, when you buy Michelins, you get our 5 Year Road Hazard Protection Plan free! for complete information, come see us and take advantage of these great prices! • For terms and conditions, see Warranty Certificate COMPLETE AUTOMOTIVE MECHANICAL SERVICE AVAILABLE AT OUR CUNTON LOCATION •Mufflers -Exhaust •Computerized Alignment •Batteries •Brakes •Shock Absorbers •Tune-ups 265 Thames Rd. Hwy. #83 East EXETER Call 235-3752,262-2926 Emergency. Calls 1-800-265-9255 Pager 1672 or 3640 4 _......______ .. _.. 4