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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1996-10-30, Page 11Page 10 Times -Advocate, October 30, 1996 PULL OUT SECTION FALL/WINTER CAR CARE Cheryl Barnett, service advisor for Eric Campbell Ford Lin- coln Mercury looks up the warranty information on Bob Clarke's car. A direct satellite link to Ford Motor Company in Michigan allows Barnett to call up all information per- taining to his vehicle. Is your battery cranky? When the cold weather comes, most of us slow down a little and do some of that good old Canadian grumbling. Your car battery is no exception. Your engine is more dependent on electrical power than �--+• ever before. It seems as though every single engine function runs off a computer. All those computers, electrical clocks, etc. maintain a power drain on the battery, whether you drive the car or not. That's why you can sometimes end up with a flat battery (even if you didn't leave the lights on) after a prolonged ski trip, for example. Here are some common questions and answers, reported by Car Care Canada. What's the white powder that I see on my battery terminals? That powder is corrosion, and it acts -as an insulator. When you get enough of it on the battery posts, no current can get through and your car won't start. You can clean it off with a wire brush, or with battery post cleaners available at all automotive stores. You can also clean off your battery with a solution of baking soda, which will counteract the acid in the electrolyte. When the posts are clean, give them a coating of battery terminal grease to keep the corrosion from recurring. My battery is called maintenance free, but it isn't really, is it? Actually, yes. Other than keeping corrosion off the terminals, there is very little you need to do to a good battery. It's no longer necessary to check each pot and top up with distilled water. The battery pretty much holds its own electrolyte level. Here's how the battery works. It consists of lead oxide on the positive plates, lead on the negative plates, submerged in an electrolyte (dilute sulphuric acid). The chemical reaction between the plates within the electrolyte creates the electricity, and the reaction reverses when the battery is charging so that the components regenerate themselves. How long will my battery last? It varies depending on how much you drive and how rugged the winter is where you live. Batteries should last four years, and will sometimes hold on longerk?- In really cold weather, will my battery freeze? Yes. The electrolyte is acid, diluted with water. 'A fully charged battery will freeze at about -65 C (-80 F), and a fully discharged battery at about -12 C (+10 F). Keeping your battery clean and charged is good policy. If the battery does freeze, itis likely to crack the case. That means a new battery. Doug Wise from Huron Motor Products Ltd., checks the brakes on a vehicle. Brakes should be inspected at every tire rotation or every 15,000 to 20,000 kms. Wise says if you feel a pulsation when you apply the brakes, your ro- tors may need to be machined; a squealing sound Is an indication your brake pads are losing their thickness and need to be replaced. 1!( Cold enough for you? Most people think that if they winterize their cars in the fall, before it gets really cold, they'll make it through the winter without problems. And they're mostly right. Others think that if they haven't hada problem yet, they won't have one for the rest of the winter. (Now there's a recipe for trouble.) Difficulty starting? A cold engine is a stiff engine -- it's hard to get the pistons moving, to draw intim fuel, and get started. So it needs more battery power. In cold weather, your battery may produce only 40% of the power it produces in warm weather, so give it a break -- use a block heater. A block heater, with a timer to turn it on a couple of hours before you need your car, will make starting much easier. Starting warm can save you money on gas, too. Take a look at your battery terminals. Is there any white deposit on them? That corrosion can insulate the terminalsand prevent the battery giving your car its first boost of power in the morning to get it going. If your battery is getting a Little elderly, you may not get a second chance. It can take up to 40,000 volts to zap a spark into your cylinders. If the ignition wires are worn or cracked, some of that power may not make it, and you could have starting troubles -- especially in damp weather. Another tip -- keep your gas tank at least half full. That limits any condensation in the tank, so you're less likely to get gas line freezing. Add a little gas line antifreeze every second fill and be sure. One of the most important things to watch is your cooling system. There are two things -- the concentration of coolant, and the amount. In most parts of Canada, a 50/50 mix of coolant and water keeps the coolant from freezing, lubricates the water pump, and protects the cooling system from corrosion. In very cold areas, it may be necessary to increase the concentration of coolant -- but never more than 70% coolant to 30% water. But if you're like most Canadians, you're more concerned about heating than cooling at this time of year. The only heat you get is from the engine, which is why your heater blows cold when you first start off (before the engine warms up). If your coolant is low, your heater is the first thing to suffer, so keep your antifreeze topped up. You may also hear a squealing noise (audible over your own teeth. chattering) from the heater fan. That could indicate a wom bearing in the fan motor, which will probably seize up on you when you need it most. If there's a lot of moisture on your windshield, and the defroster can't remove it, you could have a faulty heater core. That's a mini -radiator that transfers engine heat into your passenger compartment. Don't delay, get it fixed -- you need to be able to see where you're going, and defrosters have enough trouble keeping windows clear in very cold weather. If you travel or commute, it's worth taking a little extra time to make sure you have an emergency kit in the trunk. Winter additions to the usual emergency kit include the following: • good scraper & snow brush • blanket, hats, & mittens • matches and candles • canned fruit/nuts/survival rations • can opener • tin cup • traction mats • small shovel • red cloth (help signal) • jumper cables Winter chagjt-up@1 It's never toe e. . an Auto V16walk WA C74 Thames Rd. West Exeter IV Need a Reliable Car for Winter? altallP We have in house financing for everyone lakhr We have service warranties 4116110 We have selection We have quality liglikP We have great pricing DON'T LET WINTER LEAVE YOU STRANDED WITH AN UNRELIABLE CAR. Coolman Auto Sales 74 Thames Rd. West Exeter 235-357 ric am bell Lincoln Mercury Bales lid. Exeter, Ontario 519.235-1380 165 MAIN ST. N. EXETER If you are the owner of any 1986 to 1996 Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle, bring your ownership and serial number to us for a no -charge check at Eric Campbell Ford Lincoln Mercury to have your history checked and updated on our state of the art computer netwrk. r��tt�i�f�-��ri�Cr��MINI ar—g91101atm � 17 Digit Serial Number in this area ' 1 ■ Owners Name Address Postal Code 1 1 Telephone number area code 1 Bring this information to our dealership for free change of ownership, warranty, I recall search LNMI an MIN r NMI atm t• air illi rates =I a tils>• Ma tlrt el Clp and Return~ 1 i',nofER4e1.4•e. 3rns . U„towtr Aa•neaxrre Honoring the Achievement of Merit ch.rrt Barnett, Service Advisor Eilo Oampbetl Ford Linc. Mercury 185 Main St. N. Exeter Bus. (519) 2361380 Fax: 2361401 s�- o F e Service Honoring the Achievement of Merit Sill Brock Eric Campbell Ford Lino. Mercury 185 Main St. N. Exeter Bus. (519) 2361.380 W Recalls, Recalls, Recalls Bill Brock Eric Campbell Font Lincoln Mercury You may or may not be familiar with the word/phrase "Recall" or "Owner Notification Program". Virtually all automobile manufac- turers have Recall or Owner Notifi- cation Programs. Manufacturers implement these programs to protect you, the consu- mer, and supply an early warning for possible problems you may en- counter after prolonged operation of your vehicle. Recalls are insti- gated by manufacturers after many testing and durability studies in conjunction with Government Test Agencies. It may be deemed neces- sary to implement a RECALL NO- TIFICATION which are distributed to the consumer by means of Vehi- cle Serial Number follow-up let- ters. If you are the second or third owner of a particular vehicle you may not receive necessary warran- ty recall information if the manu- facturer is not supplied with updat- ed owner information when ownership of the vehicle changes. Recalls are still pertinent to your vehicle and you do qualify for this repair on a no -charge basis. If you are a vehicle owner, it is recom- mended to take your car's Serial Number to a local dealer and have it checked for any outstanding re- -calls, e 1 oday at GM rench the price orf the ground is the price on the hoist. Period,__ UBE, OIL & FILTER $ 95 DOKE lit LEIS THAN MEHEMES OR 00E3 FREEI filter, tube chassis and replace pt(wlth yp to1� litres of INCLUDES: • Reply. llytd� fluids, brake, power GM Goodwrench premium oil • Check and fill the to wing wipers, drive st windshield wiper, differential, transfer bowl n field transmission • Complete tion tires, air filter, coolant, hoses, fate iy, lights indicators • All done by our friendly GM technicians. Compsell for less. belt, battery, light st andM Vehicles. Applicable taxes are extra. Dealer may Applicable to most MAINTENANCE TUNE-UP CM A►MOnD PARIS AMC LAAOCR co, u MRM A it MOMRt MARLINIT NRN fMirAllAr1011. 95. (• Cry INCLUDES: • Replace spark plugs • Check qir and fuel filters, belts, hoses, PCV ignition wire and cap • Visual battery check • Electronic gine analysis • Road test. Applicable to most Ght oeflicies. Appicable taxes are extra. Dearer ma/ sell for less. Et Fit AIK, E SERVICE ALL GM.APPROVED PARTS AND LABOR ARE GUARANTEED FOR AS LONG AS YOU OWN VEHICLE 1A i INCLUDES: Replace front pads, • Brake fluid included • Inspect master cylinder, caliper, rotors . and rear brakes • Check. brake lines, wheels, emergency brakes, tires and brake lights • Road test. Applicable to most GM vehicles. Applicable tares are extre. Dealer may sell for less. GOODWRENCH EXHAUST SYSTEM i39qs. �Goodwrench Services - Minna GUARANTUD FOR AS LONG AS YOU OKN YOUR MOM. INCLUDES: Replace intermediate pipe, muffler, tail pipe and clamps • All other parts and labor guaranteed for 12 months • Specifically designed for GM vehicles. 1987-89 Cavalier/Sunbird with a single outlet. Applicable taxes extra. Dealer may sell for less. See dealer for details. EXPERT SERVICE • HONEST PRICES NOBODY KNOWS YOUR VEHICLE BETTER THAN YOUR GM GOODWRENCH DEALER For our customer convenience, we are open Sat. morning 8 a.m. -12 noon. CaII for an appointment Huron Motor Products Main St. E., Exeter 235-0383 Your Full, Line GM Dealer WINTERIZE SERVICE You're ready for. winter... Is YOUR CAR? ONUS Get a 4L bottle of windshield washer fluid with our winterize . service. . 99 HERES WHAT WE'tl D0I 011, Luba and Mer. • We'll Install up to 5 Titres of Motomester Nugold oil • We'll Install a new Motomaster oft alter • Chassis lubrication (where necessary) Rotate 4 time: • Check remaining treed depth and adjust tire pressures es required Drake system: • inspect front and rear brake system Cooling system • pressure test, check coolant strength, check hoses, clamps end cooling fen, check end adjust engine drive belts Fluid levels: • Check brake, fluid, windshield washer fluid, antifreeze, differential., transmission and power steering fluids Electrical system: • Check battery, wipers, washer, horn end lights Exhaust system: • Check complete system for Teaks Front-end suspension: • Inspect shock absorbers, struts and steering components CANADIAN TIRE 156 Main St. S. Exeter • Call 235-0160 IJ.