HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1996-04-24, Page 10al
Manufacturer's recommended
pressures are located on the tire's
sidewalls.
5) Cupping or erratically spaced
bald spots—poor tire balance
causes cupping and erratic bald
spots. This results in bouncing at
high speeds.
Overinflation and underinflation
are easily correctable. But for
alignment problems and the like,
take your car into a tire specialist or
service station.
Times -Advocate, April 24, 1996
SPR�N
011 change lengthens
your vehicle's llfe
Changing oil is one of the most
basic services people can do to help
their car run better. And it's a quick,
easy way to lengthen the life of the
engine.
Two systems control excessive
heat: the cooling system and the
lubrication system. Both must be
inspected periodically to ensure
engine protection from heat
buildup.
The lubrication system is one
system in the car that shouldn't be
neglected. Although the lubricating
qualities of oil aren't used up by
engine use, the contaminants such
as dirt, metal particles and
byproducts of the combustion
process make changing the oil
necessary.
It should also be noted how old
the engine is. A new engine might
only need an oil change every 6,000
miles, while the older a car gets, the
smaller the amount of miles
between oil changes. Before the oil
change, remember to check out the
correct motor oil viscosity that your
vehicle needs to run at peak
performance.
Indicators suggesting a problem
or a needed oil change include a
sudden change in the engine's
normal operating temperature or if
the oil -pressure light goes on.
Lube System Service
In preparation of the oil change,
run the engine for about 10 minutes
to warm up the oil. Jack up the front
of the car and support the front end
on stands. Don't forget to check the
rear wheels.
• Drain oil—Change oil every
four to six months. For city driving
or severe conditions, change oil
every three months. Remember to
replace the drain plug after draining
the oil.
• Inspect oil pan and gasket—
If your oil pan has any punctures
or holes in it, replace it
immediately. If the gasket has
deteriorated enough to cause an oil
leak, replace that as well.
• Remove and replace filter.
• Replace oil—Be sure to use
the correct type, grade and amount
of oil.
Quallfled facility key
to property car repair
(ASA)—Sit ice the early 1970s, most American and foreign
automobiles have been designated with a unitized body structure. This
means the heavy steel frame used to support the engine, transmission
and body components is now gone. l!cstead, most automobiles now
feature a design incorporating interconnecting body parts, all relative
to each other. This design is most familiar in aircraft where the shell of
the plane is responsible for structural strength and is the base for
attaching all interior and power components.
For the average car owner, the unitized body design allows for a
lighter, more fuel-efficient automobile. Once damaged, make sure the
vehicle is returned to its pre -accident condition.
Consumers should begin by carefully selecting a collision repair
facility. Look for an experienced collision repair business with the
training, equipment and qualifications specific to unitized body repair.
Ask the repairer to show you the published dimension manual for your
vehicle. This is a "blueprint" of your car
with the exact specifications and
dimensions your car needs to be repaired to
pre -accident condition.
Next, ask about the equipment the shop will use to repair your car.
State-of-the-art pulling and measuring systems are available to help a
technician find, verify and repair the most hidden structural damage.
All welding should be done by highly skilled welders who do repairs
in accordance with manufacturers' recommended procedures and with
the most advanced processes available.
You should get a satisfactory refinish match. The repair facility
should use the best refinish products and employ paint specialists who
know how to blend, apply and finish with basecoat and clearcoat
products. If your vehicle is a newer model, chancesare the original
finish includes a basecoat (color) with a protective clear coating.
You should find the final repair cosmetically pleasing, and your car
should also function as it did prior to the accident. This means proper
handling and no "wind" noise. Checking door -to -fender and
fender -to -hood gaps for even lines often helps in determining proper
replacement fit.
Your collision repair facility should also be prepared to handle the
necessary procedures and negotiations with your insurance company.
Like you, professional collision repair specialists are primarily
concerned with quality and value. Such decisions as type and quality
or replacement parts and in-depth pre -repair analysis are the subjects a
quality business will discuss with you and your insurance carrier.
Finally, carefully inspect the repair, including a test drive with the
shop manager, prior to accepting the finished vehicle. The service
manager will answer any questions about the repair and explain the
shop's written warranty.
A properly repaired unitized body vehicle will retain its resale value,
handle as designed and provide many years of safe and efficient
operation. However, only motorists can ensure proper repairs by
learning more about their cars and taking precautions when repair is
needed.
s' w
Yr I
Flat tires cause headaches, danger
Ever been driving down the road
and suddenly realized the road has
gotten a lot rougher and it's hard to
control your car? You get that
sinking feeling when you realize it's
not the road, it's your tire, and you
now have a flat.
This scenario can be avoided with
a little time and attention paid to
your tires before you hit the road.
Tires are your contact with the road
and need to be checked
periodically. There are three types
of tires on the road today: bias ply,
belted bias and radial.
Each has its own advantages and
disadvantages. The key is to tailor
your car to the ride you went with
the correct tires.
1) Bias ply= -has cord strips
arranged diagonally to the center
line of tread. This tire has good
resistance to curb bumps and
scrapes, but at high speeds, the tire
design causes heat that weakens and
wears out the tire.
2) Belted bias—the difference
between the belted bias and bias ply
is that around the outside of the
cord strips, under the tread, there
are two or more belts cut on a bias
in a herringbone pattem. This
provides a stiffer tread more
resistant to heat build-up at higher
speeds.
Do a
circle
check
of your
vehicle
before
setting off
on long
dist-.'ce
3) Radial—body cords run at
right angles to the center line of
tread. Belt cords are arranged in the
herringbone pattern. This allows for
more flexible sidewalls, giving the
tread maximum contact with road
surface, while removing some
resistance to curb damage. These
tires are well-suited to high-speed
driving, but not really good for
slower city driving.
You need to be able to "read"
your tires to know how your car is
running and your tires are wearing.
Here are five common wear
patterns:
1) Wear on one side or the
other—this indicates excessive
"camber." Camber is the amount a
tire leans into or away from 'the top
of the car. This leaning puts the
work load on one side of the tire
and causes quick edge wear.
2) Feathered edges of tread—if
tires are adjusted to aim slightly
away from each other or toward
each other, this usually causes a
feathering in the tread.
3) Center of tread wearing
out --overinflation causes the center
of the tread to wear out faster than
the outside edges.
4) Shoulders of the tread
wearing out—underinflatiop of the
tires cause the tread to wear out
along both outside edges.
tt$E-
Exotic alloy takes auto
manufacturing by storm
General Motors Corp's NA()
(NAPS) —Your new car or truck Research and Development Center,
may soon be sporting an exotic new The material offers a number of
metal alloy called ACuZinc. advantages including recyclability,
The new patented, high-strength, quicker production times and
recyclable material is finding its
way into a number of popular cars
including the Chevrolet Corvette
and Camaro, Pontiac Firebird,
Buick Riviera, Oldsmobile Aurora
and other models.
This aluminum -copper -zinc alloy
can be used on gears, levers,
steering column parts and door
hardware, according to its
developers, M. David Hanna and
M. S. Rashid, metallurgists at
manufacturability, which result in a
lower production cost. Up to 40
net -shape parts a minute can be
created by taking advantage of the
material's relatively low melting '.
temperature and fluidity, according
to its inventors. Its melting
temperature is 800 degrees F,
compared to aluminum which melts
at about 1,250 degrees. The materia
also requires less energy to produce
is stronger, and has better wear
resistance than existing zinc alloys.
Easy changes upgrade
car air conditioners
(NAPS)—Your car air
conditioner is nothing to lose your
coot over. And air conditioning
service doesn't need to cost a
fortune or mean you'll suffer in
summer's stifling heat.
Due to environmental regulations,
the long -used refrigerant CFC -I2, a
chlorofluorocarbon, won't be
produced after 1995, but car owners
do have several options at nominal
cost:
• Repair leaks and hoses and
recharge the system with CFC -12 as
long as it's available.
• Retrofit the AC system.
Convert it to run on the new
ozone -friendly HFC -134a
refrigerant, like KLEA® 134a,
manufactured by ICI Americas. The
average cost of retrofitting is $50 to
$100 above normal repairs.
• In some common repairs,
simultaneously retrofitting to
HFC -134a could be less expensive
than keeping CFC -12 in the system.
Retrofitted systems are no more
prone to leaks and don't have to
mean major hardware changes. A
retrofit may add to the trade-in
value of your car.
Keep your cool by having your
car evaluated and serviced, if
necessary, before warmer weather
arrives.
Opening MN for your conveniencom
A Standard Auto Glass Depot at
586 Main St. Exeter (Art's Garage)
For appointment call
1-80048-11-8'
r r r r r r r =Clip and Save ■ r r r r r r r r'
OIL, LUBE & FILTER ■
CHANGE
$12
9 5 (reg, Si9,96)
Most Cars
INSTALL UP TO 5 LITRES 10W30 OIL
INSTALL NEW OIL FILTER, LUBRICATE CHASSIS
limit 1 coupon per custorner. Not valid with any other otters. Expires Sept. 30/913
600 Main St. South Exit*r 2352757
• as • r r • r ■ Clip and Save' ar r aft r
SPRING AHEAD
WITH
*CHRYSLER
FIVE STAR SERVICE
�1,
/\
LUBE, OIL & FILTER
Includes • Install up to 5 titres of Mopar Premium Oil,
a quality Mopar oil filter and lube chassis (where applicable)
• Inspect air filter, hoses, drive belts, 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 DOM? MY!"
1
•Applicable to most Chrysler Canada
vehicles Taxes extra. Ask for details
WE UNDERSTAND YOUR CHRYSLER VEHICLE. WE UNDERSTAND YOU!
MAINTENANCE TUNE-UP
Applicable to most Chrysler Canada *hicks. Taxes extra Ask for details
s7888* $88°°
A Chrysler Five Star Service maintenance tune-up starts with a compleEe electronic engine diagnosis • Wen install Quah y Mopar spark
plugs • Adjust timing and idle (where applicable) • Inspect ignrt+on wires. drive bells. PCV valve. hoses. air titter and fuel lister • Check
and clean battery connections • Road test • Ask about our warranty on all quality Mopar parrs installed al the dealership
"12 msuth taihttitert t■strtage sonority M parts asd Iabsss"
WE UNDERSTAND YOUR CHRYSLER VEHICLE. WE UNDERSTAND YOU!
(11R SI.I'R
Plymouth
Dodge
Jeep Eagle
EXETER CHRYSLER
JEEP/EAGLE
Exeter
235-1525