HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1973-11-15, Page 42More than half of the 80 plus million road ser ice calls mildly
annuully by tow trucks are for starting trouble.
Waitingfor the Tow
Truck to Come
Waiting for a tow truck
to help your car get started
in winter is not one, of life's
most enchanting pastimes.
Chances are, you're late
for work, an important
appointment or anything
preferable to waiting for
. the wrecker.
It's too cold to practice
your putting on the front
lawn ana you don't dare
risk a short nap for fear
that the road service driver
may cone and go before
you can spot him.
So, what do you do?
Here's a suggestion that
can both help occupy your
time and prove helpful in
preventing future starting
problems. Pay \attention to
the signals your car is giv-
ing you while you are at -
tempting to start it. Analyze,
the sounds and the odors
and try and figure out just
what the problem is.
No, it's not as simple as
-my battery is run down."
Your battery may be run
down, all right, but most
likely any battery problem
is caused by malfunction
of some other component.
If while attempting to
start the engine, you'.°hear-.,
the starter cranking. but
nothing happens, suspect
one or more of the following
conditions, Champion Spark
Plug Company suggests.
(The strong odor of gaso-
line may be present, too.)
• Worn spark plugs
• Cracked distributor cap
• Worn rotor
In the wintertime, whezi
a car's heater is in daily use,
many motorists neglect to
safeguard the cooling capa-
bilities of their air condi-
tioners. Even though the
`owner has paid $250 to$400
or more for an auto air con-
ditioning unit, he cannot
take its trouble-free opera-
tion for granted.
According to automotive
manufa ,curers, the air con-
ditio"tier should be turned
on and allowed to run for
at least five minutes each
week- in cold weather, or
during periods when it is
not in frequent use. These
workouts allow the fluids to
. freely circulate -and flush
the system, thereby reduc-
ing hose clogging. A weekly
circulation of the air con-
ditioner fluid also lubri-
cates the seals and other
fittings vital to its efficient
operation.
The fluid — or refrigerant
— might be termed the life
blood of the air condition-
ing system. If circulation, of
the fluid is impaired or if
it becomes. contaminated
with air or water, the air
conditioner will not cool
sufficiently - or it may fail
completely.'
Based on the average of
10,000 miles of driving per
year, your car's air condi-
tioningsystem-, should be
checked and serviced once a
year—or every -10,000 miles,
whichever comes first. This
inspection and service
should include the follow-
ing:
• Check cooling system
coolant •
• Clean intake filters
• Clean condenser fins
• Test the pressure of the
sym
• Check Freon supply
• Tighten all hardware
(compressor mounts,
condenser mounts, and
evaporator mounts)
• Inspect system for leaks
(compressor; hoses,
couplings and valves)
The five-minute weekly
workout during cold spells
or periods of infrequent
use, plus the annual inspec-
tion and preventive main-
tenance as suggested here,
are normally all that's
needed to keep an air con-
ditioning system in good
working order year after
year.
The cost of anannual in-
spection and tune-up won't
break your- budget — but
major repairs or full re-
placement resulting from •
improper attention could.
Its value and many Ilene -
fits notwithstanding, the
auto air conditioner prob-
ably needs less attention
than any other automotive
system. the attention it
does r important to
its ciency and
,to pocketbook.
Weight on Tires
If you will be using a
trailer, camper or motor
home be sure to check the
weight you are putting on
your tires. Surveys show
about 20% of all recreation
vehicles are exceeding the
maximum loads their tires
should carry.
You can check with your
ti ehicle
own - your
dealer to ine maxi-
mum tire load. Then have
your vehicle weighed, _fully
loaded, orr'a public scale.
A vehicle with overloaded
tires will handle poorly and
in case. of a blowout control
problems will greatly in-
crease the chance of a. seri-
ous accident.
Getting your care ready
for winter's severe temper-
atures and driving' condi-
- tions should involve a lot
More than just addinganti-,
freeze: The American Petro-
leum Institute has devel-
oped g check listthat may;
help you get ready for the
cold weather ahead.
But first, let's look lit an-
ti -freeze. Today's cars are
designed to use the "perma-
nent" or ethylene ' glycol
type — not the older "alco-
hol" base variety. Although
it is called permanent anti
freeze, it should be replaced
at . least once a year, or: ` if
your car is "equipped with
air conditioning,' twice a
year.
Change Anti -Freeze
Anti -freeze solutions also
act as rust inhibitors and
waterfpump lubricants and
contain •additives that lose
their effectiveness after a
year's driving.
When changing anti-
freeze, begin with a careful
check of the condition of
the radiator hoses, thermo-
stat, ,. and radiator. Have
your mechanic "pressure
test" your cooling system.
Replace worn- hoses before
they leak.
If all systems check out,
drain and flush the radia-
tor. Replace the coolant li-
quid with a 50-50 mixture of
water and ethylene glycol
type anti -freeze. This will
offer maximum,.;protection.
Do NO,T use. 100% anti-
freeze, use the 50-50 mix-
ture—it's cheaper and more
efficient.
Do not overfill the radia-
tor; fill only one or .two
inches from the top -- if it
is too full, the overflow that
occurs when the engine
heats up will spill the anti-
freeze onto the street.
Check- the tension- and -
condition -=of your fan .,.and:. -
generator belts. These are
critical to proper cooling
and battery charging. Check
with ydur service station ..
about the multi -grade oil
suitable for winter use.'
Remember Snow Tires
Get your snow tires put
on early and avold the long
wait during the first snow
fall,
Park your car'in a garage,
if possible, to keep the .en-
gine from getting cold,
Drive on the "top half" of
the tank. 'This . prevents , .
water condensation ' from
forming in your tank which
taw -freeze and plug ` your
fuel lines: In other .words,
don't wait until the tank is
almost empty to fill it up.
Warin-Up Vita l
'Be sure. to' give 'your car
inter
a moment or two
to
up properly; but w'
idle for long periost let
This can foul he°i ti
p
plugs and also wastes s
line. Remember, ag'
lute more when rst ss
Infant love seat
P
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Made of sturdy, washable polypropylene, the GM Infant
Love Sept is custom and comfort -contoured for babies up to
20 pounds. The easily adjustable restraining harness
provides for complete freedom of movement for baby`s
wigulyarms and legs while the seat is held securely in place
by the vehicle lap belt. And, baby faces rearward allowing
mom and dad to keep a watchful eye. The seat is
lightweight for easy portability so it can
be usedasababy
carrier,to c5ind from
the car.
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Child Love Sea
Constructed of one solid piece ofrugg-
-polypropylene ° the seat is scientifically contoured
give support to both pelvis and rib cage. The fo,
padded seat, back and sides provide ample comb,
for all children 20 to 40 pounds and 40" in height and abi:
to sit up alone. Built-in adjustable harness holds the chi
securely in thesectt while itis held in•place with
existing vehicle seat belts. And, the seat
raises the child to window=view
height so he or she can sightsee °
right along with the rest of the
occupants. Ifs lightweight,
too. It's compact design_ •
allows for easy, out -of
the -way storage in the
trunk of the car when
not in use. Conforms to
government standards.
When , an engine misses
as the car is accelerated but
runs fine at light load or
idle, the probable reason is
that a worn plug may mis-
fire because of increased
compression pressure at
heavy load.
* * *
When cleaning your wind-
shield, don't force the wiper
blades aside. Some of the
late model electrically driv-
en wipers can be perma-
nently damaged, by forcing
them to another position.
Sortie ignition -problems'
don't show themselves ex-
cept in wet weather. That's
when cracked insulation is
most litcely to" #ail. Avoid
trouble, kr having boots and
cables inspected when you
buy new spark plugs.
** *
If you should, be adding
'water to your car's battery,
be careful not.- to overfill.
Spilled acid will . attack
'metal, hold-downs,' cables--
and
ables-and other parts adjacent to
the battery.
Both the infant and the Child Love Seats are
scientifically designed by General Motors
safety engineers to provide impact protection
at all body poir ts: For an added measureof;
protection, built-in adjustable harnesses hold'
baby securely In the seat while providing
complete freedom of movement foram
w r_ and legs.
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