Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1993-05-05, Page 12Page 12 Times-Acivocatte May 5,1993 How to travel -proof your vehicle You load the car, lock the house, find your sunglass- es, and unfold the road maps. But did you also "travelproor your vehicle?' Running boards, trailer hitches, luggage racks, sun roofs, window tint, and auto alarms can improve safety, increase security, and add to the general comfort of travellers. Doug Johnston, president of Zie- bart Canada, offers the following tips to travellers. Running Boards - make it a lot easier for those thousands of peo- ple who climb in and out of your vehicle or for those people who climb in and out a thousand times! Running boards add an extra meas- ure of safety when carrying chil- dren, pets, packages, luggage or groceries. They also protect the lower part of vehicle from wear and tear while enhancing its ap- pearance. Trailer Hitches - should be sized to match die vehicle and what it's towing. A Class 1 trailer hitch should be used for light towing such as a tent trailer. A Class 2 trailer hitch should be used to tow a small camper or boat while a Class 3 trailer is best to tow a large trailer or boat. Luggage Racks - add extra room to today's smaller cars. Rooftop or deck luggage racks hold items such as suitcases, bicycles, snow and water skis, paddle boards, surf- boards, windsurfing equipment, tents, and camping gear. Sun Roofs - provide ventilation during long rides so windows don't have to be rolled down. They also add light to the interior of a vehi- cle, enabling passengers to read or play games. Most people don't real- ize that 98 percent of all vehicles will accept an aftermarket sunroof. Window Tint - provides comfort while driving. With window tint, the air conditioner cools off she car more quickly. It also helps keep harmful ultra -violet rays from burning the driver's arms and chil- dren's. Safety benefits include de- creased road glare and reflections from morning and afternoon sun- shine while reduces eyestrain and fatigue. Window tint also protects infants in car seats from sunburn and injury. If the windows are broken during an accident, the glass won't shatter on them. Auto Alarms - protect valuables in a car when travelling, giving you peace of mind in unfamiliar places. Ziebart alarms offer "perimeter protection" - a radar scan that chirps a warning when the space around the vehicle is invaded so a Don't ignore your vehicle during spring cleaning time Spring is asso- ciated with the annual clean- up around the house after a long winter. However, spring is also the ideal time to get rid of the buildup of road salt, dirt and grime, and to get your vehicle back to its pre -winter condition. Lots of water is the .key to scratch -free washing of a vehicle's exterior say Automotive specialists at General Motors. Douse the car thoroughly with water to remove dirt, salt and grime. Use a mild liquid soap. Do not use dishwasher -machine deter- gent, which can scratch the paint surface. Squeeze a small amount of the liquid soap into a bucket of warm water and use a soft rag to soap the vehicle. Avoid washing the car in the sun. This can cause the finish to water spot. Rinse the car well with cold water end dry the surface with a clean, damp cloth or chamois. A dry cloth can scratch the surface. If you have a build-up of dirty film on the windshield or other Treating your car like a friend Nobody enjoys being ranked sec- ond - especially when there are only two options to begin with. But it's really an insult when you are being pushed aside for something that is neither living nor breathing. Of course, this is debatable, par- ticularly if the object (yes, object) •ques. tion is many people's most Used 1 possession - their car, (a. a. automobile, darling, baby, number 1. etc.). Cars are, to some people, better companions than their human counterparts. Think about the time and energy people put into the grooming and conditioning of their automobiles - it seems as though many car owners are more interest- ed in the well-being of their vehicle than they are in themselves! The attachment people have to their cars is unbelievable, but real. • Let's go shopping...for the car, that is, Bras, skirts, wings - many cars have smarter wardrobes than their owners do. • Have an annual check-up - Car owners probably arc more familiar with their mechanic than they arc their physician. • Can't afford a four-star restau- rant? Car fanatics manage to scrape up enough change to fill their tanks with four-star gas! • How about a manicure? In oth- er words, how about dressing up Ih&tires, adding rims, snow tires for er... • Massage - How often do you treat yourself to one of these, if at all? Every time you wax your car, its getting treated to just that. • Protection to the max - People take caution to the limit - combina- tion locks, high-tech alarm sys- tems, wheel, gear, brake locks and even cars that tell you, through an intercom system, if it is being sto- len or vandalised. glass surfaces, use two tablespoons of vinegar to a pint of water to clean the glass. Avoid contact of this mixture with fabrics or carpet- ing. Vinyl upholstery can be cleaned Spring :is the ideal time .to get your vehicle in shape with a bar of mild household soap. Work up a lather on a sponge or cloth and wipe all vinyl surfaces, then wipe off with a rinsed -out sponge. Check with your Owner's Manual for proper cleaning of cloth or leather. Have your whitewall tires turned gray? Take some laundry prewash spray and apply to the whitewalls. Allow it to work for 'about five minutes before rinsing and wiping. Rust can breed under the fenders from packed mud, grime and salt. Be sure to wash these areas with a garden hose. An old broom can be used to loosen up and remove grime first. thief will think twice before break- ing in. When travelling, the remote keys entry system eliminates fum- • bling for keys when your arms are full and alipws you to access the car if you k your keys in it. When you're relaxing on the beach and someone needs to get into the car, give them the remote transmit- ter to unlock and lock the doors, or to pop the trunk or hatch. It's a lot easier than worrying about the keys. For added safety, the system automatically locks the doors when the ignition is turned on and auto- matically unlocks them when the ignition is turned off. Nose Guards - will protect your vehicle against another record - upsetting year of hitting millions of bugs, especially on a long trip or vacation. Nose guards also help protect cars, trucks and vans against mud, stones, splashes, dents and paint chips. Ziebart TidyCar can touch up rust -causing paint chips before fall with new ChipFix which repairs them while matching the original paint job. "Plan ahead for your next trip and impress your relatives and friends with a dressed -up, travel -proofed vehicle," says Johnston "Accesso- ries can make your vehicle safer, comfortable and more enjoyable." Hwy. 4 Centralia 228-6810 7 :TFt.s ® Electronic tune-ups ® Wheel alignments ® Exhaust Environmentally friendly oil undercoating ® Parts depot Reconditioned previously owned vehicles ® Reasonable labour rates ® Repairs to all makes 9 L Tipp to reduce the chances of auto theft Taking the best trete Of tr-ttf helps ensure it will last as long as possible. However, a basic car care technique is often overlooked. Auto theft is a crime problem in this country. Thus, ensuring your car will "last" begins not just with special care, but with protection. 10 precautions you can take to reduce auto theft Following are 10 precautions you can take to re- duce the chances of your car becoming another auto theft statistic: 1. Always close your windows, lock your doors and take your keys when leaving your car. 2. Nevi eleseyeur ear funning when it's unattend- ed, even ifetilt►'`for a few minutes. 3. If you have an anti -theft device, use it - even for quick stops. Most stolen cars either didn't have the device or simply didn't have it activated. 4. Have your vehicle identification number etched on your car's six major pieces of glass. Then a profes- sional thief won't want your car, because it can't be easily sold on the "Black Market." 5. Don't leave valuables in your car. If you have no choice, make sure they're out of sight, and try to avoid having anyone see you put them away. 6. Although you must leave your insurance ID card in your car, don't leave your registration or house keys there, too, or a thief may also rob your house and/or impersonate you. 7. Always park in a well -lit area. 8. In urban areas, avoid parking on streets that are away from main roads. 9. Park with your wheels turned sharply to discou- rage towing. 10. If you have a garage, use it. Cars are often sto- len from driveways and open spaces near residences - but seldom from garages. sI11ICIaELINI OG mI ICHELINIMICHELI ' IOGO ANNIVERSARY 1f' MICHELIN® -EP-X Superb performance... year round! MICHELIN' XGT 4 Touring tire combining style and performance in all seasons. • FOR TEAMS AND CONDITIONS, SEE WARRANTY CERTIFICATE MICHELIN' XH4 A revyutionary 4 -season tire. Guaranteed 130,000 km. MICHELIN BECAUSE SO MUCH IS RIDING ON YOUR TIRES.' HAUGH TIRE INC. 265 Thames Rd. Hwy. #83 East EXETER Cal! 235-3752, 262-2926 Emergency Calls 1-800-265-9255 Pager 1672 or 3640 s 0 Coodwrench Service Pis Quality Servr a For Your Car Or Light Truck Announcing Our dedication to a new level of service that makes rdutine maintenance more convenient than ever before and gives you the best quality work at the right price. Introducing GM Goodwrench Service Plus. Auto Service with a Plus. OUR COMMITMENT What is GM Goodwrench Service Plus? Think of GM Goodwrench Service Plus as your one stop shop for routine maintenance. We take care of all your needs. From lube, oil, filter to exhaust, from shocks and struts to tire rotation. And everything in between, all done with a smile. At one convenient location wherever you see the Goodwrench Service Plus sign. DISCOVER OUR NEW LEVEL OF COMMITMENT p($Upfront, competitive pas Friendly, courteous - prices dealership personnel nl�S GM trained technicans Os Clean, comfortable (r who use quality GM parts T surroundings {��g Prompt service and work r ready when promised alis Convenience business hours LUBE, OIL, FILTER IN -UBE. Ui t( FILTER II\ 29ftJ ORVIINLES TES OR THE NEXT ONE lb FRE, ONLY MINUTES OR THE NEXT ONE'S FREE - Includes 15 point inspection. • Applies to most GM cars and keit trucks. See parbclpatirt4 dealer fa details. INCLUDES - OIL CHANGE with 5 litres of high quality -motor oil, complete .chassis lube and A/C filter. - FREE 15 Point Inspection - FREE Fluid top Up We're Proud To have two of the 150 GM Grand Master Technicians in Canada at our dealership. Our mission is to offer a pleasant and convenient service experience Huron Motor Products 141Goodwrandi Senticeicgeg • PONTIAC • BUICK • CADILLAC • GMC TRUCKS Main St. S., Exeter 235383 Jos Overholt Stephens Congratulations to both Paul and joe who 'have recently qualified for Grand Master recognition. They are an important part of the Huron Motor Productsteam that is totally committed to providing the best service possible.