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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1997-04-23, Page 11For further information; please' contact Denisefaguy, Manager, - Communication Services, Automotive Industries Association of Canada at 613-728-5821. Chill out with air conditioning Ahh, summer. Warm days, drives in the countryside, picnics on the beach. And road construction. There you -are, stuck in traffic 'and it's a sweltering 32 degrees celcius. Fortunately, with your - air conditioning on, it's a comfortable 24 degrees celcius inside the car For many people, air conditioning is a "must have" option. . . Air conditioning works on the.principle that evaporating fluid.takes heat out of the air. The refrigerant vapour is'first compressed to liquefy. it, then it evaporates. This chills and dehumidifies the air coming into the car. The refrigerant that has been used with great success over the years has been Freon, or R-12. However, R-12 as a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), has.been partially responsible for . depletion of the ozone layer. In the last couple of years, car, manufacturers have converted -to • R -13a, a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) that is much less harmful to the environment. If you have an older car, it may be possible to convert your air conditioning to R -13a. Mk your car service provider about conyersion kits. If not, you should be aware that R-12 is no • longer being manufactured. While stocks are available, their use is tightly controlled and a great deal of care is taken t� - - prevent leaks and spills to protect the ozone layer. You should have your air conditioning system checked at . least once a year to make sure it -has 90 leaks, seals and belts are in good shape, -and it's turning efficiently. As it cools, theair conditioning system also takes moisture out of the air; The air-conditioning is usually -coupled with the • windshield defrost so that it will clear the window more - quickly. - There is always a concern when you walk towards your car . 'and see a pool of something underneath. -In summer, don't panic—your air conditioner takes water -out of the air, and it drains onto the ground. So if you have been driving with the air conditioning on, and then you park, you will probably see the water draining from Ilse Mr conditioner as you walk away and a puddle under ytnir car when you return. • If the puddle tlut'nn'I Ioalk like water, then it's okay to panic. Some people an. t onitottrnrrAaithonil •Ihe fuel economy penalty of air conditioning�. Ilio lit,i4la11 whim you use the air conditioning at 111111111W In illy driving, you pay-aprice=- - perhaps as much - as.a 15-20 percent increase lin your fuel consumption. When you look at it over the course of a year's driving - though, it's much less significant. The annual fuel consumption penally is less than 5 percent, probably more like 2percent. Most people consider that a small price to pay for being -able to chill out in the summer. - For farther information, please contact Denise Faguy, Manager,. Comeaunicafion-Services, Automotive Industries Association of ' Canada at 613-728-5821. ��.raV�VV`�.rV�VV�VVVVV�VV��� = Smile You'll leave our dealership with one every time you experience our personalized Chrysler Five Star Service. • • • • LUBE, OIL & FILTER • Install up to 5 litres of Mopar Premium 00, a quality Mopar oil filter and lube chassis (where applicable) in your Chrysler Canada vehicle* Inspect air filter, hoses, drive bells, wiper blades, shocks/ struts, exhaust, tires and all lights • Check all fluid levels • Ask about our Chrysler Five Star Service guarantee "READY WHEN PROMISED ... OR YOU DONT PAY!" $1 PEACE'OF»MIND DRMNG INSPECTION It's time to prepare for spring driving! With the purchase of in 011 and Filter Change • inspect cooling system . pressure lest click Service, ow Chrysler factory -trained rases and clamps water puny. rad•.or. Jllcln technicians trill: O Rotate 4 tires e Inspect hoot and rear brake system • Inspe 1 !mused System • Muffler. clay( converter. pipes. mandold gaskets. hangers and clamps • Inspect an Dud levels cantle oc tan • Check and Meat ecru ne dine felts • Check coolant candhan and strength • Inspect etch. I system • Battery Men. Mashers. tarn. lights and clean Darby terminals • Inspect Suspensor •Sock& stns cover steering components. rases and steering linkage • Road test aro neon revels 41. 11II;1`I 1 I. Phirrrnrith Dodge Jeep 1 Fag le EXETER CHRYSLER JEEP/EAGLE 136 Main St. Exeter 235-1525 SAVH NGS Times -Advocate, April 23, 1997 Page 11 Check `donut' to know your oil Whether.you're a seasoned do-it-yourselfer or simply picking up a litre to keep in the trunk, there's a lot you can (earn from the label information on every oil bottle. While it may seem to be a secret code, .the information is easy to understand once you know how to read it. The "donut" is the name for the circular marking that every bottle has on its label. Right in the centre of the circle is a marking such as SAE IOW - 30. These letters and numbers tell what the thickness of theoil is at its operating temperatures. Engineers call this "viscosity!' SAE stands for the Society of Automotive Engineers, who set the standards that all reputable oil manufacturers adhere to. The numbers refer to the viscosity of the oil—the lower the number, the thinner the oil and the more easily it flows. If there is.m_ore than one • number, the oil is designed to have a range of viscosity at various operating temperatures,•a quality that is important in most vehicles in .. Canadian conditions. The first number, 10, is an index of how the oil flows at low temperatures. The second number, 30, refers to how it flows at high temperatures. The W. designation means the oil is suitable for winter use. Most oil sold in Canada carries this sort of multigrade rating. The words API Service SJ mean that the oil has passed extensive tests -set -by the American Petroleum Institute and several automobile manufacturers associations. It meets or exceeds the SJ standard, the most recent level of , protection for cars and light trucks in terms of deposit control, oil oxidation, wear, rust protection and other qualities. The SJ standard was established in October 1996 and replaced the earlier SH standard. The words Energy Conserving in the lower part c4' the outside ring mean the oil meets the friction -reducing standards of the Energy Conserving standard of the International Lubrication Standardization Committee - (ILSAC)—a joint North American -Japanese group. • The other marking you.rnay find on an oil bottle is the Starburst symbol on the front label of good oils. It reflects that the oil in the bottle ha"s met the API standards and also meets additional fuel economy tests. This • designation is usually found on oil of lighter viscosity, such as 5W-30 or 10W-30. The simple rule is to be sure your oil carries the donut symbol. It's your assurance that the oil has been registered with the American Petroleum Institute and meets its standards. Infortnation for this.article supplied by Castro! Canada Inc. - Attention to details help prolong car's look (AIAC)—Spring is sprung, the grass is riz, I wonder where the . . birdies is? You know where they're going to be as soon as you .. wash your car. Bird droppings - _. have a high acid content, -so they are one of.the worst threats to your car's finish. Along with tree sap and spills of gasoline or other automotive fluids, these are things you should wash off immediately. • • Paints have changed over the • years. And car care products have changed with them. Use the right cleaner for your car, inside and out, to get the best results. For example, a vinyl cleaner for inside the car will have some additives to help your dash resist cracking on a hot summer's day. But you want a different formulation for a vinyl • roof to resist rain and dust. Touch up any scratches or dents, right away. Corrosion happens fastest to bare metal, so don't let there be any! The seven or eight litres of paint on your car are all that stand between the'rust demon and your car Brake pads have changed, too. The new types of brake pad , generate a black dust that can be difficult to clean. There are special tire and wheel cleaners that will 'keep your wheels -looking their best. And if there is anything wrong, lit an under- value than the exterior. Use the right products, designed for- 0 - automotive applications. Household cleaners are not designed for use in cars, and may not give you the results you want. In cars, there are tvniealIv ewes lopes of —protein, inflated tire or wheels needing alignment,you're more likely to spot it if you don't have to look through a screen of dirt and brake dust. Your car's interior is also worth attention.'Some auto appraisers will tell you that a clean interior has more impact on the car's resale 1d il/grease. lL Protein 11011 stains need an izyme tment, while On your way to longer engine life JJ (AIAC)—Why should I change the oil in my car? It's all too easy to forget that your car's engine generates temperatures in excess of 200 degrees celcius under normal operating conditions. If it's turbo, that's more like 300degrees celcius! Oil prevents metal to metal contact and cleans out dirt and combustion by- products. Many people don't realize that oil is also an important part of the cooling system, dispersing about 20percent of engine heat. Today's -ears are designed with smaller, more fuel efficient engines, and arc built to tighter tolerances. The engine oils you put in have to be of an equally high standard, and the manufacturers are continually researching new and improved products. But nothing lasts forever. Over time, the oil will lose some of its viscosity (ability to flow) and will pick up enough dirt and water in suspension that it needs to be replaced. Engine manufacturers generally recommend an oil change every 5,000 to 6,000 km. If you do nothing else in the way of preventive maintenance, do these oil changes. They are the single most effective thing you can do for long engine life. And at about $20 per oil change is also one of the cheapest. So you've decided to have your oil changed (or maybe you want to change your own oil). Are all oils the same? Should you just put any kind of oil in your car? The short answer is no -not all oils are equal. All oils conform to high standards. The biggest difference is in the additives that each company adds. These additives will enhance the oil's cleaning . effects in the engine, will lay down a protective layer on the metal walls to reduce internal friction, and help the oil to resist thermal and viscosity breakdown. There are also other additives or oil treatments you can buy - separately. Such additives can help any oil remove , engine deposits, protect engine parts, and improve fuel consumption. They are available at automotive stores or wherever you get your oil changed Today's cars are designed with smaller, more fuel efficient engines, and are built to tighter tolerances new car finish and a repaint? Indeed there is. New car finishes can be baked to a harder finish than is possible in a repaint situation. That doesn't mean there's any difference in the quality of the paint, but you'll have to baby the - finish for the first 90 days. That - means hand washing with cool water, trying to avoid extremes of heat and cold (park iii a garage if -possible), and no dry wiping.". So to make sure your car has that special glow, wash it once a week and give it a protective wax in the it and - spring and fall. Make sure that the se stains call inside gets the same attention as the heavy duty outside, and rinse away any , moo corrosive influences (tree sap, bird ining dropping, automotive fluids) as ng agents. soon as possible -using water., Don't neglect your windbws. Your vision of the road is your best defence against accidents, so don't let a cloudy windshield or back . window put you in danger. Use a good quality commercial cleaner, and cut it with rubbing alcohol if you must. If any of that alcohol gets on your paint, flush it away with lots of water. As we move into spring and summer, there's one more thing to think about=bugs. Bugs _are like bird droppings on your paint, corrosive and unsightly. There are cleaners specifically formulated to remove bugs from your grill and bumpers. And when you're cleaning,your car, pop the hood and flush the bugs off the front of your radiator. Bugs will reduce the ability of the radiator to reject heat. Be'careful w nen you're doing this not to bend the fins on the radiator -either use a hose to rinse away the bugs, or use a wire brush carefully, brushing side to side rather that up and down. How about commercial car washes? Well, sure, but stay with the soft cloth jype. If the'car wash uses a brush, the bristles may get stiff or clogged with dirt and that can scratch your finish. Is there any difference between a Mak 41M11• 41M.4sIMee t1141•11•*•inele eine, 411•• 0111b • • •1 •, • • 1 • • • •, • •, • • • • • • 1 • • • • • 1 • • 1 E•X•E•T•E•R LLL.: 4.7./ 1,11FD - STEVE AND DEB ROY - OWNERS _COMPLETE COLLISION & UNIBODY REPAIRS 24 Hr. towing • Car Rentals • Free Estimates 55 Waterloo Street, Exeter Ont. Looking forward to serving all your auto body, collision and restoration repairs. We use 3ASF quality refinishing products • after hours call • 235-1703 ewe •• •• elm ol%—••inge••ewe%ein•.•—U,4ime • • • • •1 • • • • • • • 1 • •• • • • • • • • • • • 1