HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1984-11-07, Page 45-.
Black exhaust can be indication o fpoor gas mileage
If your car is coughing at idle, sputtering
when you leave a ,-light and constantly
belching black smoke, it may be suffering
from a case of the flu.
Along with these symptoms come a varie-
ty of ills, poor performance, starting dif-
ficulty and increased fuel consumption.
What causes black exhaust smoke? Most
often, says Car Care Council, it's due to a
faulty carburetor choke that is sticking shut
and not allowing enough air into the car-
buretor.
Tire rotation
To optimize tire mileage on front -wheel -
drive vehicles, it may be necessary to rotate
tires before the generally recommended
6,000 mile initial rotation time.
In fact, the engineers say that all -season,
mud and snow -type tires Used on front wheel
positions of any automobile or light truck
may develop irregular wear at early
mileage due to the side slip that occurs dur-
ing steering.
This is especially true on front -wheel -
drive vehicles because of the heavier load
and its effect on the stopping and steering
torques.
The best rotation pattern for radial tires is
front to rear and rear to front, keping the
tires on the same side of the vehicle.
Conventional bias ply tires should be
rotated rear to front, keeping them on the
same side, but move the front tires to the op-
posite side rear wheel positions.
Engineers recommend that owner's
manuals be consulted to determine if any
particular rotation practices are necessary
for a special vehicle.
Prior to rotation, tires should be checked
for any irregular wear and the cause of such
wear corrected. Following rotation, adjust
the inflation for the new location of each
tire.
Winter driving
by Paul Jacot
At this time of year Canadians start think-
ing about Old Man Winter descending upon
the land. The cold season prompts images of
heavy snowfalls, icy road conditions and
wind-swept drifts just begging to trap a car
or two.
Although this scene is repeated year after
year, it is Surprising to discover how few
people prepare themselves for winter driv-
ing. There are certain steps motorists can
take to ease the worries of winter driving.
Shell Canada car care experts have put
together a few tips.
You should begin by giving your car a
tune-up. This could include changing to a
light -weight motor oil, as heavy oil can get
thick in the winter ( which makes it harder
for the engine to turn over ).
It is wise to put on your snow tires before
the first snowfall. Beat the rush. r
Carry some sand in the trunk (not t
much or it will affect your gas mileag
The sand will provide excellent traction
should you get stuck.
If your car does not have a rear defroster,
get one installed.
It is also wise to carry and emergency
winter driving kit. This could include a
flashlight, flares, a blanket, a shovel,
booster cables, matches, a candle, traction
pads, a chvv olate bar or two and a scraper.
Before you start your car in the winter,
clean off all the ice and snow. When you get
in th.: car, open one of the windows slightly.
This will help clear the humidity and your
windows won't fog up with condensation.
These tips may not completely eradicate
the encumbrances of winter, but they will
allow you to be prepared for whatever ON
Man Winter decides to throw our way.
)•
The carburetor choke is designed to im-
prove starting by providing a richer fuel
mixture. As the engine warms up, the choke
plate opens allowing more air into the car-
buretor for the correct air/fuel mixture.
A sticking choke prevents fuel from mix-
ing with air causing the engine to run rich.
Often, a simple adjustment or replace-
ment of the choke spring will correct the
problem.
Black smoke from a rich -running engine
may also be due to an old, worn carburetor
or a severejy clogged air cleaner.
A complete carburetor overhaul or
replacement of the old part may be
necessary to correct the problem.
Air filters, require regular service, par-
ticularly if yojj drive in dusty or heavily in-
dustrial pl;das. 'Dirt clogged passages pre-
vent air from reaching the engine.
A simple test is to hold the air cleaner with
a light bulb in the centre. If you can't see
light through the filter, it's time to replace
the filter.
A rich -running engine not only wastes gas
but can also harm other components of the
engine. Black, sooty spark plugs can lead to
misfire and unburned gas can leak into the
crankcase, contaminating oil.
From all of us at Clinton Auto Parts -
"Safe Driving this Winter"
LEFT TO RIGHT: LARRY GIBBINGS, COLLEEN COX,
DEAN REID, NANCY GREIDANUS, JOHN DIXON
ABSENT: NORMA PRESZCATOR
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