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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1994-10-26, Page 14Page 14 October 26, 1994 fr7.14.1.11i r1r r r A i r .`� fes.= Ariz- rr: Lr&T ALAMIIIIIIIMP '.7 i t 1'12 %2201111110°12/2/ mni L'rl1111LL"al viUr" Heat -producing engines need cold -weather protection In addi- tion to the hazards of winter driv- ing, perhaps there is no greater in- convenience than a broken heater. Most passenger compartment heaters use the coolant to warm the incoming fresh air. In addition to providing driver and passenger comfort. the warns air prevents tog- ging and icing of the windshield. The personal distress of cold Lin- gers and toes can be avoided by car owners who understand the cooling system and properly maintain its components. The heating system Hot coolant is piped from the en- gine into the heater core. which is located under the dash in most cars. The coolant passes through the finned tubes of the core and releas- es its heat. A small electric fan forces air past the tinned tubes and directs the warmed air into the pas- senger compartment. The coolant is then piped hack into the cooling system via the water pump. Troubleshooting should begin with the coolant level. Coolant should be visible in the plastic cool- ant recovery tank next to the en- gine. A low level will reduce or cancel the Clow of coolant to the heater. thereby reducing or prevent- ing any heat output. A mixture of 5() percent each of water and anti- freeze is recommended. Heat control The thermostat acts as a hcat- sensitive valve that regulates the flow of coolant to the radiator. When the engine is cold, the ther- mostat is closed and the coolant re - circulates hack into the engine to pick up more heat until it reaches a predetermined temperature. Whcn the thermostat fails or malfunc- tions, the engine will either over- heat or it will take longer to pro- duce any heat. if the thermostat is functioning properly, you should be able to feel the surge of warm coolant passing through the upper radiator hose. It is a good practice to replace a ther- mostat that is in doubt, advises Heater Fan Heater Core Heater ~ ' Supply Hose . ' \tv/ Gates. Conveying the heat Flexible hoses convey the coolant between the radiator and the en- gine. A small leak not only, wastes valuable coolant, but also rcduccs pressure in the entire system. Two other important hoses are connected to the inlet and outlet tubes of the heater. These. too, should he checked for swelling and cracks. as well as abrasion to the hose cver. Kinked hoses will obvi- ously restrict the flow of coolant. Check the heater hoses to make sure the hot coolant is flowing through the heater core. The supply line to the heater should he hot; the return hose should he warm. If the hoses are cool, circulation is not ad- equate due to a clogged heater core or possible ice blockage in the core unit. The outward appearance of cool- ant hoses- may give a false indica- tion of service life, warns Gates. Hoses most often fail from the in- side due to cracks that form in the hose tube. Accelerated by high heat and flexing, hoses can develop pin- hole leaks or rupture under normal pressure. Circulating the heat The water pump/fan drive might be called the heart of the cooling system. Coolant circulates through- out the engine by means of the wa- ter pump. The fan cools the radiator containing the hot coolant. The combination of the two sends warmth to the heater - but not too much heat. which could cause the engine to boil over. Check the condition of the drive belts by turning them over, Gates suggests. Replace any drive belts that are cracked, frayed, brittle, wet with oil or highly pblished on the sides. Regardless of their visual condi- tion, belts and hoses that are more than four years old should he re- placed, Gates -advises. These troubleshooting procedures could solve the problem of a mal- functioning heating system. At thc very least, this exercise will prepare your car's cooling system for the hard winter months ahead. Heater Return Hose Understanding your car's cooling system and properly maintaining its components will aid you in troubleshooting the problems of a malfunc- tioning heating system, advis- es the Gates Rubber Compa- ny. Pressure to prolong tire Iife Maintain proper pressure. Studies show that close to 90 per- cent of vehicles driven on our Ca- nadian roads have at least one tire improperly inflated. if there is too much or too little air in a tire, it will shorten its life. The worse condi- tion is underinflation: a mere four PSi (pounds per square inch) un- derinflation can rob you of as much as 10 percent of the life of your tire. Experts recommend that you check your car owners manual or the placard on thc driver side door for the recommended pressure for your tires. Then verify thc air pres- sure with a good quality gauge at least once a month. This will provide you with a safer ride and a longer tire life. SEAT BELTS SAVE (wiOntario Windshield Defroster Duct Heater Floor Outlet Eight cold -weather car checks Record-breaking winter temperatures can leave you with enough car repairs to break your hank account. That's ((hv it's not time go let simple, preventive car maintenance procedures fly south with the birds. Consider these tips for a smooth ride this winter: Shocks and struts - Alternate freezing and thaw- ing can produce hazardous dris ing conditions - such as potholes. Even the most precise drivers can barely escape a whole winter without a single damaged tire or broken spring, but sometimes the jolt from the one you couldn't dodge can be very expensive. The loss of a muffler and sometimes the pipes that go with it can he prevented by regularly inspecting the undercarriage. if you survive a pothole, let an expert do an alignment check to assess any damage that may have occurred to shock absorbers, struts and other suspension parts. Tires - Whcn outside temperatures begin to drop, tires should be checked at least once a month, since cold weather reduces your tire's inflation pressure. Driving underinflated tires causes tire tread to wear faster and unevenly, and it can reduce ride perfor- mance, affect vehicle handling and decrease your ve- hicle's fuel efficiency. Another good habit to continue throughout the sea- son is to check your tires for uneven wear patterns. Ureven wear may signal improper inflation pressure, misalignment, tire and wheel imbalance or suspen- sion problems. If your vehicle becomes stuck on ice, you should avoid spinning the tires, •as the force created from this action can literally rip tires apart. Brakes - Don't gamble with your brakes; they could save your life. Your braking system. probably the most critical safety system on your car, should be checked periodically this winter. it'll he like buying yourself some peace of mind! Engine - A severe winter could mean millions of cars failing to start. Excessive exhaust emissions and a polluted atmosphere can dull a picturesque snow- fall, and misfiring, knocking and pinging is never pretty. Before a "no -start" ruins your day, start out this fall with a well -tuned car. Oil - Change your engine oil and filter every 3,00(1 miles (or as specified in your owner's manual); if you do lots of stop -and -go driving, carry heavy loads or drive long distances this fall and winter. Belts and hoses - When one needs replacing, you're likely to find more in marginal condition. Rubber components under the hood exist in a hostile environment, surviving sub -zero temperatures in the winter. Hoses circulate as much as 7,500 gallons of coolant per hour at up to 18 pounds of pressure - and warrant periodic attention. Failure to maintain your cooling system by flushing and refilling every 24 months with fresh antifreeze can cause freeze-up, over- heating and rust and corrosion buildup. Batteries - Batteries lose their charge over bine. especially in cold weather, and cable connections can corrode. A certified technician can test the strength of your battery's charge. Paint job - Don't ignore bumps, scrapes, scratches and dings this fall. As winter sub -zero freezes set in. the damage is likely to get worse as rusting sets in. Don't delay! Fall's already here and winter's on its way! Five tips for wiper care safety A clean windshield is a safety feature you can't drive without. Rain and snow are not the only hazards that can cloud your ability to clearly see the road. Mist, rnud, salt, road grime, heat, smog, insects and even bird droppings can challenge the performance of your • windshield wipers. No matter what climate you live in, when it's your. windshield against the elements, you want de- pendable wiper blades, During the winter of 1994, CNN reported a 400 -percent increase in windshield washer fluid sales. It's easy to tell when yob need to refill the fluid, but have you checked the condition of your wiper hladcs lately?Why wait until it's drizzling and your wipers only smear dirt on the wind- shield to inspect the blades:' • Check the condition of your windshield wiper hladcs at least once a month when performing routine car maintenance or clean- ing. Don't wait until you're driving in hazardous weather. • Clean the wiper blades with a ;damp rag when cleaning the wind - Cool tires last longer Normal stop -and -go traffic can wear away tire tread up to seven times faster than steady driving. The situation is compounded when you indulge in sudden stops and starts. The tires heat up and the tread becomes softer and easier to tear. The black marks you leave at an intersection may im- press hot rudders, hut they cost you money. High-speed driving also builds up heat in the tire. For example. a vehicle driven at 65 km/h may have tiro temperatures of 77°C. But at 10(1 km/h, the tiro temperature can rise to 88°C. Remember that water boils at I00°C. Smooth driving habits help prolong tire life and save gas. Have you checked your tires lately? shield. Wipe free of dirt, grime and hugs. • Wiper blades should he tinn and smooth from end to end, not "dried out." • Immediately replace hladcs that are chipped, torn. cracked or split. • Blades should clear. clean and squeegee the glass completely for optimum visibility without skip- ping or chattering. Consider making repairs before buying Low monthly payments are a big at- traction for new car buyers. However, the fine print in the con- tracts often reveals that these are lease payments, and, while adver- tisers can make the amount seem inconsequential, the money could go a lot further if it was put into the cars people already own. The money couldp�ay fix a major tune-up or brake syajtcm overhaul, as well as an oil ch• ge. It might pay for new tires. a battery or other needs that cause people to go car shopping. While car leasing and lower monthly finance payments help ease the financial sting of new car prices, statistics show that owners are repairing and driving their older cars. The average car age is at its highest since the early 1950s. For many people, it is better to pay one large repair hill and keep driving an older car than to pay hefty monthly payments for four or five years. Whatever repairs cars. trucks or vans need, they probably won't cost as much as_ buying new vehi- cles. and it's not a long -tent com- mitment. People can drive better cars for a year or two and. then, get higher prices when thcy sell or trade them in later. So, helorc trading up to newer models, consider fixing up the old- er ones. . 3:7 omtn AUTO xEPAIx Your ABSCO Brake Dealer Domestic & Imports NO GST TILL DEC. 1 ON BRAKE WORK 235-2277 444A Main St. Exeter Light truck tires fit for any job, at a price that can't be beat MICHELIN LTX M/S LTX A/T 511800 INSTALLED P235/75-15 O.W.L. LTX M/S Famous Michelin ride and durability in an all -season radial for Tight trucks. 128oo LTX A/T The all -terrain radial that combines rugged off-road durability with a quiet, comfortable Midielin ride. MIC wELIN BECAUSE SO MUCH IS RIDING ON YOUR TIM S' CALL: HAUGH TIRE INC. 265 Thames Rd. E. EXETER 235-3752 AFTER HOURSAP:EMERGENCY' TOLL FREE 1-551-1860