HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1985-10-30, Page 34•
race yourselfbecause wM tr is oat -::0
'Old Man Winter certainly has never
own a ear. Otherwise, he would have
a lithe mercy this winter on those of us
who do. But, tenderness is not his strong
Point; unfortunately, bullying the under-
sides of our cars is.
"An automobile's underside is subjected
to a year-round barrage of flying debris
and poor road conditions that can cause
damage, but winter puts a care to its
severest test," says Walt Alley, Director of
Training at the Midas Institute of
Technology (M.I.T.) in Palatine, Illinois.
"An annual inspection of exposed under -
the -car parts should be one of every car
owner's spring chores," Alley advises.
What parts 6f a car's anatomy are most
vulnerable to the blows of Old Man
Winter? Usually it's the ones we don't see.
But, out -of -sight should not mean out -of -
mind.
Exhaust system
Interior gases in the exhaust system pro-
duce a fiery heat, even though the outside
of your car may be rimmed with icicles
and snow.
"The difference between outside and in-
side temperatures can cause increased
condensation which can harm the interior
parts of the system with corrosion and
rust," Alley says.
`The exhaust system is comprised of
many connecting pipes that lead from the
engine to the muffler, a path which toxic
exhaust gases must travel, until they are
finally expelled from the tailpipe.
"Rust can eat away at these pipes, leav-
ing pinholes for carbon monoxide gases to
escape. Thus, some of the gas may never
reach its final destination the opening at
the endof the tailpipe. Instead; it may seep
back into the car," warns Alley.
"The escape of toxic exhaust gas is not
most vulnerable parts of a
car are the ones you can't see
always signaled by the loud roar of the rotors to rust. Obvious symptoms of these
engine, typically associated with a faulty maladies may include a scrunch or a
exhaust system. Even a quietly purring squeal sound.
system may be in trouble. "You may notice the car pulling to one
"For that reason, a spring check-up of side or an unusually hard or soft brake
the exhaust system is a wise safety pro- pedal. Faults in the braking system are not
cedure, says Alley. only unsafe, but may cause the brakes to
Brakes drag, heat up and waste gasoline," Alley
"Moisture from snow and salt can cause says.
the disc brake calipers to stick or the ° `With or without these ailments, a brake
system shouldbe insped at least every
1Q;Oo° miles,'} Alley sugges•
�rS� oPenston
"Even shock absorbers can be
defenseless against Old Man Winter. The
violent car rocking technique used by
frustrated drivers stuck in snowdrifts,
camouflaged potholes, and roads strewn
with winter's debris all combine to cause
excessive wear on even the toughest
shocks," according to Alley.
"You'll°know your shock absorbers have
surrendered to the Old Man when you feel
an extra bounce u, your ride or when your
car swerves with sudden stops. Braking ef-
ficiency may , be reduced noticeably
because your wheels bounce too much,"
A few precautions can mean safe travelling
To help you get to where you're going
and back again safely, here are some
useful tips for safe traveling.
First of all, your car should be looked
over thoroughly before you start. Be sure
your tires are properly inflated. You get
better mileage and traction with the right
amount of air. Be sure your tires have
plenty of tread. Everyone knows a bald
tire is dangerous at high speeds.
Alsocheck your spare tire to make sure
there is air in it.
Check your brakes. If the pedal goes
down more than halfway, they may fade in
a panic stop. This could be especially
dangerous if you will be towing a boat or a
trailer.
Check' your lights and battery. If your
battery is weak, it's better and probably
cheaper to replace it before you begin your
trip.
How are your wiper blades? If they are
cracked and leave streaks on your wind-
Tidy
ind
Tidy Car
gives you more fun
for your money!
Tidy Car
Presery-a-Shine
•Paint Protection
*New & Used
Vehicles
•Written Warranty
Upholstery Guard 2
•You can let the kids have fun,..and
still keep your car's interior clean &
beautiful
•Helps make interior fabrics last
50% longer
Protection you can trust
From people you know.
Kirkey's Car Care
• TIDY CAR AGENT
shield they'd better be replaced before you
need them, and don't forget to check your
radiator for leaks, then flush and fill with
fresh coolant. Hard summer driving will
put a lot more strain on your cooling
system.
Finally, before you bit the road, it's a
good idea to bring along a trip kit equip-
ment you may need to handle any road
emergency.
This kits should contain: a) flashlight
and spare batteries; b) fresh flares; c) dry
chemical (Type B) fire extinguisher; d)
coolant; e) an extra pair of sunglasses; f)
tire inflator; g) window cleaner and a roll
of paper towels;. h). basic first aid kit; i) a
basic tool kit, including electrical or duct
tape for temporary repairs to radiator
hoses; j) a spare fan belt, especially if you
drive a foreign car; k) a blanket; 1) an
empty gasoline can, (never drive with
gasoline in the trunk of your car) ; m) a
quart or two of a quality motor oil.
Now that your vehicle has been checked
out and you're ready to go, here are some
safety tips to followafter youleave:
1) Use your seat belts and shoulder
harness.
2) Drive defensively. Keep at least two
car lengths between you and the car ahead
of you for every 16 kilometres per hour.
3) If you are towing a boat or a trailer,
frequently check the hitch for looseness,
especially if you're driving through hair-
pin mountain curves. A hitch that was
secure when you started can work loose,
from constant strain and from negotiating
sharp curves.
4) Don't push yourself too hard to make
an extra 40 kilometres. Driving fatigue
will make you less alert and drastically
slow down your reactions.
If you find yourself getting drowsy and
you're not near a town, pull over and rest
awhile. Thirty mini tes of sleep can do
wonders.
YOUR TOTAI SERVICE STOP
HAUGH
TIRE AND
MUFFLER SUPPLY
LTD
Highway 4 South
of Clinton
� a 4
iw
!M
tt
141
w�
• COMPLETEPASSENCER
TFRESERV10E11
Ntw and Used TIRES instock!
OIL, GREASE AND
FILTER SPECIAL
SAFETY CHECK SPECIAL
*IC 9S
only a MOST CARS
22• 95
PLUS PARTS
WE SPECIALIZE IN COMPLETE CAR CARE!
* FRONT-END ALIGNMENTS * EXHAUST SYSTEMS
* ELECTRONIC TUNE-UPS * RADS
* WHEEL BALANCING * GENERAL TUNE-UPS
* COMPLETE BRAKE SERVICE
Licenced Mechanics on duty.
Come in and let us service you!
HA U G H —TIREANSUPPDT AND
Ln
OPENS DAYS A WEEK 8:00 AM -5:30 PM
(OPEN AT NOON HOUR(
OPEN SATURDAYS 8:00 AM -12 NOON
Highway 4 South of Clinton
482-3752-482-9796