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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1997-10-29, Page 15Times -Advocate, October 29, 1997 1 99 '7 F A L L --- ZV I N T E 1Z. C A IZ I A t E Be aware on the roads Travellers can be victims of pick -pockets working a crowded festival or purse snatchers in airports, but many are victims of crime on the road. Tourists travelling by car develop a false -sense of security, which may actpally attract thieves who want to make'a "quick get -away." When travelling by car, people have a lot to think about: road maps, schedules, hotel reservations and fuel stops. A distracted traveller becomes a prime candidate for theft. By planning ahead and using existing resources, auto travel- lers can safeguard against such crime. The Canadian Automobile Association recommends the following tips for auto travellers: • Take valuables with you when you leave your car and lock all car doors. Fast-food restaurants and highway stops are prime areas for theft when a traveller attempts to "just run in and out." • Have someone remain in the car when buying gas. This tac- tic can prevent auto theft. If alone, take the key out of the igni- tion when leaving the car to pay at a self -serve station. • Don't advertise expensive car stereos or CB equipment. Keep cassette tapes or audio equipment out of sight. Place detachable antennas under the seat before leaving the car. • Carry traveller's cheques. American Express Traveller's Cheques are fee -free to to CAA members. Buy in small denomi- nations so you will only have a minimal amount of cash. • Report lost or stolen cheques to local authorities and to the issuing company immediately. - • Don't keep all travel documents in one place. Keep a sepa- rate list of charge card information and traveller's dheque hum- bers. Leave a copy at home. - • Take all valuables into your hotel room. If you must leave such items in your car, lock thern in the trunk. Remove any hid- den spare keys attached to the auto. • Ask hotel staff about the safest places, to park. If possible, park under street lights or near the hotel. At a motel, park where you can see the -car from your unit. ' • Park in an attended lot in an unfamiliar downtown area. • Use all door bolts and locks at the hotel. Don't open your door for strangers. Don't allow children to wander the hotel property after dark. Accompany children to the hotel swimming pool and game room. • A lost travelleris distracted and a prime targetforassault. Plan travel iradvance and carry the appropriate maps. • Ask relatives or friends who live near your destination about the_safest,hotelsrand tourist attractions in the area. Or, ask the hotel clerk to point out on a map the areas of town to avoid and then stay completely clear of them. • Don't stop for anyone whiI9,on tfte road a{td be very wary about individuals who approach your car. Drive away if you believe a crime. is about to be perpetrated against you. Page 15 How to lower your insurance premium While many factors determine the cost of your. auto insurance, there are:. • For both collision and comprehensive, four door vehicles were better things you can do to :lower your premium: It makes sense that a person than average. Two door vehicles were worse than average. who poses Tess of a risk to the insurance company should pay a lower pre • - mium than someone who is more of a risk. Here are several ways you can . minimize the cost of your auto insurance: . Think about wheel alignment I. OBEY THE LAW Traffic violations not only cost you in fines, they also affect your driving record and insurance rates. Your driving record is one of the main factors determining the cost of your auto insurance. Drivers who continually get traffic tickets are more likely to be involved in automobile accidents and are considered a higher risk by insurance companies. Many people are surprised to learn that seat belt violations are treated like any other offense. That means if you're fined for not wearing your seat belt, it will show on your driving record and may affect your premium. When you've exceeded Ontario's limit for demerit points, your licence will be automatically suspended for 30 days. Once it's been suspended, you will end up paying higher auto insura-• premiums: - 2. DRIVE LESS •- If you start taking public transit it tying to work, or if a new . job or home decreases the distance ),,`i, to work, your rates may • change. Most insurance companies calculate rates on a 0=15 and over 15km scale for distance traveled to work. The annual. distance you drive is also considered. If you have retired from the work force, you will be rated only forpleasuredriving. - - 3. CONSIDER REMOVING COLLISION COVERAGE You might consider going without collision coverage on an older, depre= ciated vehicle. Why? The actual cost of repairing it may be more than the "book value."' " If you do decide to go without collision coverage, youare responsible for any repairs following an accident where'yotere at fault. You need to weigh this risk -carefully..• : - . • • 4. INCREASE YOUR DEDUCTIBLE' By increasing the deductible on your collision, and orcomprehensive. coverages,: you will be lowering your premium as you are taking on more of the risk yourself. Most companies require a minimum deductible of $250 on_collision with some offering deductibles for as high'as $1,000. . • - 5. COMPLETE AN APPROVED DRIVER TRAINING•COURSE New drivers who successfully complete an approved driver training course may be eligible for a discounted premium from most insurance.- - contpanres. 6. DRIVE A FAMILY CAR . When buying a vehicle. keep in mind that "family" models are consid- ered less of a risk than "high performance" vehicles and are rated differ- ently. Two door vehicles are rated differently than four door models.- - Why? • The Vehicle Information Centre of Canada provides analysis of insur- ance claims by vehicle. model. For 1990-91 models, statistics show these • trends: • Sports/specialty vehicles still have the highest loss for both collision and comprehensive (which provides protection against fire, theft and vandalism). T • Passenger vans show a significant increase in the average amount of both collision and comprehensive claims. Station wagons show the lowest collision and comprehensive costs. • There were more personal injury claims for two ;door and multi- pur-pose vehicles, while station wagons had the lowest number. - during thewinter months . With the hard winter driving season ahead, motorists are wise to think : about the effect of potholes.and road ripples have on wheel alignment. Misaligned wheels lead to premature tire wear and poor gas mileage. - When uncorrected, the problem can substantially shorten the life of an oth- erwise sound car. Even more seriously, it can affect the steering control and safety of the vehicle, The stress and strain of driving over rough roads affects the caster of your car's wheels most frequently: The right amount of caster allows wheels to return to a "straight ahead" position, thereby promoting steering stabil- ity. Misaligned caster angles can contribute to wheel shimmy. Camber, or the tilt of the wheel at the top, provides a.true-running wheel when the car is rolling. Fast -wearing tiresand a tendency ton the pair of your car to pull to one side can usually be traced to misalign- ment of the camber angle. Camber problems are corrected by reestablishing an inboard tilt -to the affected wheels. However, before any correction of these - angles can be made properly, tire, shock absorbers. -and the -entire steering Linkage should be.examined for wear. How can a driver diagnose a wheel alignment problem? By checking for the following symptoms. •Shimmying on a smooth level road = possible caster problem. •Hard steering and difficulty returning steering wheels to straight ahead. position - possible caster problem. - - •Feathering or saw -tooth patten on tire tread possible -camber problem. There are no absolutely correct caster or camber angles. Adjustment of these angles varies from car maker to car maker -and even within a single manufacturer's car line. - While wheel alignment correction is a relatively simple task, the job should be performed by a reliable mechanic for best results. You'll notice the difference a good job makes.in longer tire life, improved fuel economy, a more comfortable ride and most importantly, a safe vehicle. D ve Safely this Winter "MY MECHANIC KNOWS MY CAR BEST." "I've spent a lot on cars over the past 20 years — I even remember when you could fix some things yourself. Cars are a lot better now, and a lot more complicated. There are a lot of differ- ent. cars out there now. I don't know how anybody could claim to be an expert in all of them. So I don't fool around. I take it to the people who know it best. WE BUILT IT. WE SOLD IT. WE KNOW IT BETTER. When you bring your. car to Goodwrench • for regular service, we know what to look for and how to fix. it right. Our mechanics are constantly updating their skills and knowledgeso they "can keep you and your car on the road. Plus,_ we - have a nation-wide computer system supplying each Goodwrench Service Centre with the -latest bulletins regard- ing recalls and problems to look out for. We have the right tools, the right parts and always a competitive price. . MAKE A GOODWRENCH MECHANIC YOUR MECHANIC. "Sure, I could take my car to one of those less expensive places, but I don't think I can afford it. That's why my mechanic is a Goodwrench mechanic." [� Goodwrench Service PREMIUM FALL SERVICE • Lube, Oil & Filter • Rotate Tires • Brake Inspection • Top -up Fluids • Check Wipers • Check Coolant • Inspect Battery and Charging System _--PLUS 2 FREE AL JUGS OF GM WINDSHIELD WASHER IFLUID 95 "1 DON'T TAKE CHANCES WITH MY CAR. I TAKE IT TO THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW IT BEST."