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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1981-10-28, Page 41rir nr.-O Page 11 People are keeping cars longer and taking care The great expenses incur- red in buying a new car, combined with the high cost of money, is causing some noticeable new trends with. car owners: people are keep- ing their cars longer and tak- ing better care of them. But whether your car is new or old, the best and most inexpensive sort' of maintenance is still the preventive variety. An in- creasing number of motorists are extending the life of their cars - and saving, money - by performing sim- ple maintenance tasks themselves. Why not take advantage of these long, balmy fall evenings to en- sure that your car is ready for winter. Being an amateur mechanic need not be as daunting as it sounds. For example, one of the most overlooked - and potentially expensive - repair jobs in- volves your car's cooling system. Fortunately, it is also one of the most easily avoided problems, and one which can be simply remedied by any backyard mechanic. All it takes is an inexpensive piece of equipment like Prestone's Auto prime target Constantly rising fuel prices and uncertainties about sufficient energy this winter have, of necessity, oriented consumer attitudes toward energy con- servation. As a result, the automobile has become a prime target for many profit oriented promoters who have flooded the market with a multitude of gas -saving devices calculated to raise the consumer's hopes to get more mileage for less gas. Frank Drea, Minister of Consumer and Com- mercial Relations is concerned that, in the rush to get the best deal for their hard-earned money, energy -conscious consumers may well be Lured by clever ad- vertising and irresistible claims about products that may contribute little, if anything, to automobile fuel efficiency. There are two basic types of motor vehicle fuel saving devices on the market: fuel and lubricant additives, and mechanical add-ons. The fuel and lubricant ad- ditives are to be added to gasoline, diesel fuel or lubricant. The mechanical add-on devices need to be in- stalled in the car and come in the form of fuel pressure regulators, air- bleed valves, screens, special spark plugs, ignition devices and the like.. Prices for these gadgets can range up to $60. According to Martin Friend, technical officer with the National Research Council (NRC) in Ottawa, over 100 of these gas -saving devices have been tested or evaluated by either the NRC or equally reputable laboratories in the U.S. To date, not a single product has lived up to its full claims or proved capable of any significant gas savings. Let's look at some of the basic claims: +anywhere from five to 25 percent in gas savings through im- proved combustion; +improved ac- celeration ; +smoother operation; +improved engine performance; +longer engine life; +a -educed exhaust emissions. So how can consumers protect themselves? With any claims it is important to read the small print. Remodel, Repair with Energy -Saving: in mind *HUNTER -DOUGLAS ALUMINUM PRODUCTS including • the siding that insulates r* ALUMINUM AWNINGS, CANOPIES AND RAILING *SLIDERS *THERMOPANES *FLORIDA ROOMS/ REPAIRS TO: ALUMINUM Doors. Windows, Sash and Screens WOODEN SASH REPLACED "Wo install and Service What We Sall" VANDYKE AND SON GLASS AND MIRROR 86 King St.. Clinton 482-9390 More and more motorists are saving money by performing simple maintenance tasks themselves. Used car repairs When buying a used car a buyer is wise to have about $150 to $200 over the pur- chase price on hand for any needed repairs. Even the best mechanics can't an- ticipate repairs that might. be needed after possession of the car takes place, says Car Care Council. To play it sate, plan to 'in- vest in some basic preven- titive services, says Car Care Council. Lube, oil and -filter change is sound protective invest- ment as soon as you take delivery of the car. While the car is on the lift take a close look at tires; exhaust system and shock absorbers. Ask your mechanic to check all fluids and report any that need replenishing so you can keep an eye on them in the future. Check carefully for leaks while you have the op- portunity. Consider a diagnostic check-up. This can tell you whether or not engine ad- justments or a tune-up may be necessary, and could well be worth its modest cost. Finally, says the Car Care Council, ask to have one front and one rear wheel removed for a close check on the brakes. Flush and Fill Kit, a garden hose and about fifteen minutes of your time. And the immediate savings can run as high as $30, and you can avoid major repair work anywhere from $150 to $700. As the name suggests, the cooling system is there to control engine metal temperatures within safe limits by removing excess heat produced by the inter- nal combustion engine. Through cooling system neglect and poor maintenance practices, cor- rosion can occur causing overheating which may result in serious engine damage. And problems with your cooling system can oc- cur after as little as 9,000 miles. Some typical causes of overheating are: low anti- freeze -coolant concentra- tion, low anti -freeze -coolant level, stuck thermostat, worn fan belt and the build- up of corrosion products in the system. Combustion temperatures in today's hotter -running engines may reach 2760 degrees C (5000 degrees F) with piston temperatures as much as 93 degrees C (200 degrees F) above the boiling point of water. To remove this excess heat from the cylinder head, pistons and valves, the ethylene glycol anti -freeze - coolant mixture must flow unimpeded from the radiator throughout the engine via "coolant passages". The . hot 'anti- freeze -coolant then returns to the radiator where it is cooled by exchanging heat with cool air flowing by the radiator tubes. The cooling cycle then repeats itself, again and again circulating up to 2,000 times in one hour of driving. To ensure that your car's cooling system is operating at peak efficiency, it is recommended that a mix- ture of 70 percent anti- freeze -coolant such. as Prestone II and 30 percent water be used all year round. This will protect your engine from freezing down to -64 degrees C (-84 degrees F) and from boiling to 136 degrees C (276 degrees F). However, do not use more than 70 percent anti -freeze - coolant or the freezing pro- tection will decrease. In addition, your car's cooling system should be thoroughly back -flushed at least once a year. Back- flushing, as opposed to mere- ly adding more anti -freeze - coolant gets rid of worn-out anti -freeze -coolant and rust and scale deposits from the entire system, including the block. It is a simple opera- tion and once installed, a Flush and Fill tee remains in your car for annual use at no extra cost. Depending on the size of your car's engine, you can save anywhere from $15 to $30 by doing it yourself. In these days of soaring prices, it's comforting to know that you can save yourself money, extend the life of your car and still have the satisfaction of doing it yourself. IF YOU OWN A CHRYSLER CAR OR TRUCK THEN WE'RE THE PLACE FOR SERVICE YOU :CAN COUNT ON! Dean Reid Dennis Harris Bill Dalrymple Proprietor Service Manager. Licensed Licensed Class "A" Licensed Class "A" Class' 'A" Mechanic Mechanic. Mechanic. GETTING YOUR CHRYSLER VEHICLE SERVICED AT CLINTON CHRYSLER -PLYMOUTH WILL SAVE YOU Laurie Henderson MONEY IN THE LONG RUN - HERE'S WHY! •AIL our mechanics are Chrysler Factory -Trained technicians • We use genuine Chrysler Factory Parts - with a 90 day or 6,400 Km. guarantee, ports and labour •We receive all current factory service bulletins •We have the latest M factory test equipment •Wo service all makes -specializing in Chrysler, Plymouth and Dodge cars and trucks SEE US FOR A PRICE ON YOUR WINTER TIRE NEEDS We curry Auto Par Tires - with a FULL Road Hazard Guarantee! Plymouth (H RYSI.FR Dodge Trucks SALES/SERVICE CLINTON CHRYSLER -PLYMOUTH 267 Victoria St., Clinton LTD. 4824522 OPEN: SALES DEPARTMENT: Monday thru. Wednesday S a.m.-3:35 p.m. Thursday $ a.m.- •:M p.m. 7 p.m.-le:0e p.m., Friday 5 o.m.-3:30 p.m., Saturday 0 a.m.-• p.m. SERVICE AND PARTS DEPARTMENT ii Monday thru. Friday 5 a.m. td 3 p.m., Open Thursday alight • p.m. to le p.m.