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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1997-04-23, Page 14Page 14 Times -Advocate, April 23, 1997 SAVII INIGs; 1 410,41WELIE Psst! Wanna buy a car? (AIAC)—If you can keep your cool.when all about you others are losing theirs and blaming it on their radiators...(with apologies to Rudyard 'Kipling). Every year, you see the same sight—the steaming radiator. the no less steaming driver, the disabled car -and it's so unnecessary. How does your cooling system work? Coolant circulates though the engine. picking up engine heat, and -hack through the radiator. , r where it cools. It's that simple. The components of the system are: 1. Radiator: A core. ortubc. is surrounded by fins of Tight Metal. The more surface area these_ fins expose to the air. the more heat they.can reject. 2. Water Pump: Running off a kelt connected to the-• engine. the water pump forces the coolant to circulate. Keep an eye on the belt to make sure. it's not worn or cracked. 3. 'Noses: The hose running from the bottom of your radiator takes coolant into the engine Klock. - the hose at the -top returns hot coolant to the • radiator to he cooled. There arc also hoses running to the back of the engine compartment -these are for the heater in your car.. 4. 'Thermostat: The thermostat is in the return (top) hose. It closes •r when cold. to reduce coolant circulation and help your engine warm. up, as - fastas possible. `Then it opens to maintain a constant engine temperatue by. egulating the flow of coolant. • - • . 5: Fan: The fan behind the radiator doesn't blow -it sucks. it•draws air through the radiator to increase the cooling effect at low speeds. At highway speeds. it usually isn't needed as the ram air from driving is ample to keep cool. These fans operate off a thermostat so they are not' using engine power all the time. 6. Pressure Cap: Cooling systems are pressurized to raise the boiling point. This pressure depends on the pressure cap cin the radiator (sometimes on the overflow reservoir). . .• 7. " Overflow Reservoir: Most cars have a tianslucent plastic container which contains coolant. This allows you to check the level without opening the radiator. g Coolant: We talk about water cooled engines'and water pumps. but the coolant of choice is actually a 50/50 mix of ethylene glycol and water. Water alone would cool the engine, but it would also lead to corrosion. The coolant cools the engine efficiently, resists freezing in winter, resists boiling in summer. lubricates the water pump and inhibits corrosion. b if 50 percent coolant is good, then 70 percent coolant \ must be ,better, right? Maybe. But straight coolant will turn to slush at -22°C. it performs betterwhen it's . , diluted. ' r. So how do you avoid being one of those people boiling and seething by the roadside? Car ' Care Canada has some quick tips for keeping, your cool_ i ; I. Keep your coolant level topped up r (hut not too full). and your coolant at the right concentration. i ,easy to - check the level by looking at the translucem overflow reservoir. One,thing you should never do is open the pressure cap on a hot engine=the hot coolant will spray out•and could cause severe scalding. . 2. Check your hoses once a month for soft spot,s.pracks and/loose clamps—when the engine is cool. Hoses should he firm. not spongy. r Check for cracks by running your fingers lightly along the hoEc and feeling for snags. 3. if you replace a clamp or a hose, tighten the clamp a few weetks, afterwards—it will ease a -little at first with the cngire/vibration. 4. When you wash your car. take amoment to wash hugs and leaves off the radiator. Be careful not to crush or bend the light metal fin.'L 5. Flush your cooling system and replace the coolhnt at least every - • two year., or as specified in your owner's manual, • 6. Use onlytop quality coolant products that meet thetASTM D 3306 (spark ignition engines) or D-4985 (diesel) standard .Be cautious - about all purpose or long life products -your engine is too expetr'4ive to take risks for the sake of aifcw dollars - •' 1 -1 For further information, please contact Denixe fagot Manage►; Conrnuelkatiol► Services, Autin►rotive industries Association of Canada at ' 6/3-728.-5821. , Spring cleaning forvehicles r- (CAA) -Finally spring. and along with it. spring cleaning! What better way to eliminate all signs of winter and welcome the new season? Yes. -we •know,there must he better ways, but sometimes work comes before pleasure. As you get set to dust off the cob webs of winter. don't forget that your vehiefe may have 'Yost its spring" over the past few months -and will need some Attention too. - - . •'Air out the interior. vacuum thoroughly. clean all plastic and vinyl • • surfaces and clean the inside of your windshield and windows. • - • Wash the outside of your:vehicle taking care to spray salt and dirt out from under the wheel wells and - rocker panels. • Replace any hunted out light hulks and worn wiper blades. . - •,Touch up any paint chips to help prevent rust formation • Check -all fluid levels. Consult your vehicle owner's manual for important recommendations-regarding-intcrvals for oil. filter and antifreeze chanes. Remember -that anti -freeze isn't just for winter. Italso will help to prevent your vehicle from overheating in •the hot days ahead. • Check all belts for signs of wear such as -cracking itr frayed edges. Belts should he tight and"shouldnot give more than three quarters of an inch. • The radiator and heater hoses also should he checked for leaks. Hoses should feel firm but not overly hard. If they are spongy. cracked. overly hard or have any bulges. they should he replaced. , • Remove accumulated corrosion from battery terminals. Cable ends can be cleaned with a wire brush and a. water and baking soda solution. Wipe off the top of the battery with a dry cloth. •- • Check your tires..Look for cuts or bulges in the tread arca and sidewalls. Also check for -uneven tire'wear. Ensure the inflation pressure in your tires is the'same as that recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Under inflation creates excessive heat which reduces tire life, can•cause Circ failure and will reduce fuel efficiency. • • Give your vehicle a tune up. The engine oil should he of the summer grade recommended hy.the vehicle manufacturer. Suspension andsteering linkages should be checked. brake linings inspected for wear. and the battery tested for proper levels and charge. NEED FINANCING? WE CAN HELP!! • Good selection of Certified Used Vehicles • Lease to Own #83 HWY. EXETER 235-3573 COOLMAN AUTO SALES INC • • • • • • • • •Clip and Save ■ • • • • • • • 1 1 1 1 OIL, LUBE & FILTER CHANGE 1 ■ Running out of gas What to do in low - fuel situation (iBOC)-You're on a long stretch of highway or in a•remote arca and suddenlynoticc.'hat your gas level is at "E" The nearest gas station it 30 kilometres away. How do you make it when you're running on empty?. ' _ - • First, turn on your flashing hazard lights and move over to the right side of tlyc road. This gets you out of the way of passing traffic, and alerts other drivers that you are reducing your speed. You could also attract some help. ' t Drop your speed to about 30 - kilometres an hour.'then shift into neutral and coast (taking your foot off the gas) until the vehicle slows to about 15 kilometres an hour. • ,Then slowly accelerate hack up to 30 km/h, and keep repeating the process. This procedure will maximize your car's energy until you reach help. - • Of. course,'trynot to he caught with your gas tank so low in the ' , first place. In general. you should fill up whenever your tank gets t� about 1/4 frill. r •, r, • • Keeping your tank- full is especially important in winter. ' Otherwise. condensation can build up in the tank. which can freeze. When that happensayour car may not start. - - - - ' • In cold weather. use gas line antifreeze to protect your tank from freezing over. • • Every so often. you can run your tank fairly low to clean it out. -But'make 4urc yct're not too far from a gas station when the tank is a the lowest point. It's a good idea to keep an empty gas can in your car. If you run nut of gas and are able to walk or get. i aside to ntas,station, a gas can will hold enough.fucl to start the car again. • 'Never keep a keep gas in the trunk of your car -lust in case" yoti run low. Carrying any type of fugi in a closed vehicle only ,offers yv risk of fire or explosion. r . • Always fill up your vehicle with the type of gas recommended your owner's manual.i-Putting low -octane gas in a car requiring/high, octane. for exItinple, can -damage the vehicle. -If you're -not sure what your car needs. check Transport Canada's fuel'corisufnption guide. r I r 11 / r ' THEFIVESTAR-.'- OIL,'LUBE litt. FILTER CHANGE FROM CHRYSLER. I Chrysler -trained technicians.. The people who know your 'Chrysler vehicle -best! 3. Committed to your convenience. We respect and value your lime! 5. Competitive prices. 'Five Star Service at . .everyday prices! 2. Mopar replacement parts. The only parts approved by Chrysler engineers! 4. Courteous attention. We thank you and apprecjate'your business! We pour in more additives without adding to the price. No matter how small the job, you always get a lot of extras at Chrysler Five Star Service. For example, 'you get the same Mopar parts and equipment approved by Chrysler engineers: And our oil change comes with a money -back guarantee if your vehicle is not ready when promised. • Install up to 5 litres o' Moyer Premium Olt a quality Mopar oil biter and lube chassis (where applicable,. in your Chrysler Canada vehicle • Inspect 'air. toter. noses. drive bets wiper blades shocks/struts. eihaust tires and all ■ bghls • Check all fluid levels • Ask about ou'. Chrysler Five Star Serv'ce guarantee 1 1 2 . r1.19 (reg. $19,95) re Most Cars � b INSTALL UP TO 5 LITRES 10W30 OIL ts. INSTALL NEW OIL FILTER, LUBRICATE CHASSIS' U Limit 1 coupon per customer. Not valid with any other offers. Expires Sept. 30/971 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 BECKER A" Products Inc. 600 Main St. South Exeter 235-2757 "-I.I.ingi'Clip and Save' •••• • "READY WHEN PROMISED ... OR YOU DON'T PAY!" si 99 PEACE'OF ND DIDIIING : rk4. i ksA ► It's time to prepare for spring driving! We the purchase of an ai and tins, Chop 0 same. aw Wry*, beat. ontil technicians en o ler Y.1 0 • • e O •rn+teraa 0101 ••0101ndf WI a see tr+• :rrf : 0101 axMan 01a sn-pnTT nisi", ono, s,s-- •torr. •r-•. •civ r• Nr • 14,11 41 -.*a knpr] sare0(/ • "CW 01 d/ pow ' giro; <c roak* ruses 0101 she. ry hiaN R -ad vs. 0101' rtr•••=--lis - D CHRYSLER FIVE STAR SERVICE GREAT PEOPLE GREAT SERVICE ONLY AT YOUR LOCAL CHRYSLER DF Al ER