HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance Times, 1995-11-01, Page 1119/Vggr
ME' AK NOVEMBER 1.19 5
Get the jump on cold weather
It's a statistical fact: every year tens.
Of thousands of motorists are
caught unprepared for the first cold
weather. It can be time-consuming
and expensive trying to take care of
anti -freeze, battery or snow tires at
the last minute when everyone else
in the neighbourhood is rushing to
do the same thing.
To help car owners get ahead of the
game, the Car Care Council off the
Automotive Industries Association
of Canada offers "stitch in time"
checklist.
1, COOLING SYSTEM: If it
Hasn't been done in a while, flush it
Out with a good chemical cleaner
and install fresh anti -freeze. Note:
Use in proper proportion. Pure
anti -freeze, (ethylene glycol), does
not cool or protect as well as the
proper mixture prescribed on the
container. Check connections,
belts, hoses, pressure cap and ther-
mostat.
2. BA 1'I'ERY AND ELECTRICAL
SYSTEM: If your battery is more
than a few years old, have it
checked. Cold weather is hard on
batteries. Be sure connections are
clean and tight. Corroded or loose
connections can give the symptoms
of a weak or dead battery.
3. ENGINE: Is it time for a tune-
up? Faulty wiring, worn spark
plugs, a sticking choke or emission
control devices that need attention
all can lead to hard starting. A di-
agnostic check-up of the engine can
be a good pre -winter investment.
Prepare dor
winter drivin
Most motorists, primarily city mo-
torists believe they will never be
stranded in a snow storm. Yet,
every year, there are reports of mo-
torists freezing to death in their ve-
hicles within the city limits, re-
minds Car Care Canada of the
Automotive Industries Association
of Canada.
For example, it could be late at
night and you could be stranded
only a mile or two from a gas sta-
in or house. But trying to walk a
thile or two in a snow storm is dan-
gerous.
So, why not takethat added pre-
caution and put together a basic
winter motoring survival kit, in-
cluding:
1. scraper and brush; 2. shovel; 3.
booster cables; 4. sand, salt or kitty
litter (may help to free your vehicle
if it's tuck); 5. traction pads or
"pieces of old carpeting; 6. first aid
kit; 7. flashlight; 8. flares; 9. extra
fuses, radiator hoses, and fan belts;
10. blankets or sleeping bags (for
warmth); 11. extra winter clothing
(again for warmth); 12. tow line or
chain; 13. a supply of non -F); 15.
$r*
Keep your car
in shape
(NC) -Here is.a list of checks and I
tests you should perform regularly in
order to ensure that your car'is fuel I
efficient:
1.Inspect your radiator and hoses
for Teaks and surface cracks.
2. Ensure that your coolant is at
the correct level in the radiator
overflow bottle. Add antifreeze
if necessary. (Caution: Do not
attempt to remove the radiator
cap when the engine is hot.)
3. Check around and under the
engine for oil and other fluid
Teaks. Suspicious -looking
puddles could mean a brdken
seal or gasket.
4. Check the battery terminals
for corrosion. and clean with a
wire brush if necessary.
Replace damaged wires or
cables immediately.
5. Check drive belts (fan. air
pump, alternator. air
conditioner, power steering).
Tighten if necessary. Replace
any damaged wires or cables
immediately.
For more information on how to keep
your car in shape, call the Auto$mart
Hotline at 1-800-387-2000.
it LIGHTING
✓ TIRES
✓ ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
✓ COOLING SYSTEM
,/ BRAKE SYSTEM
e/ EXHAUST SYSTEM
,/ FLUIDS
✓ SUSPENSION
if STEERING
107:ff
All Repairs
Offer mires Nov. 30 1995
"Used Car Sales • All Work Guaranteed"
North St. West
357-3022
J
an emergency supply of pre-
scnption drugs if necessary.
To help survive life threatening sit-
uations, your car should be kept in
top operating condition. How long
has it been since you've had a tune-
up? Is your battery 100% efficient?
Tire thread condition is crucial
when driving on ice and snow.
Also check inflation. Keep plenty
of windshield washer/anti-freeze
solvent in the reservoir and keep
your gas tank as full as possible to
minimize condensation. Freezing
of moisture in the fuel system can
cut off fuel flow. Be sure all lights
are working and occasionally
clean off road dirt and salt.
Whether you're a "do-it-yourselfer"
or a patron of the professional re-
pairman, there's a lot to be said for
getting the car care chores out of
the way before the severe weather
arrives.
NOTE: For further information,
contact Denise Faguy, Manager of
Communication Services, Auto-
motive Industries Association of
Canada, 1272 Wellington Street,
Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 3A7 Tel:
(613) 728-5821.
4, OIL AND FILTER: Dirty ;oil
can give you trouble in the winter.
Now's the time to change it.
Change the oil filter, too. your ear
may have several other filters that
need changing at this time, in-
cluding the fuel, air and trans-
mission filters. (The latter is
changed when transmission fluid is
changed as a periodic maintenance
procedure.)
5. TIRES: For every 5 degrees C,
(10 degrees F) of temperature drop,
your tire pressure decreases by one
pound. Obviously, if you haven't
checked tire pressure since last
summer, they're likely to be several
pounds under -inflated.
Periodic rotating of tires, along
with wheel alignment and bal-
ancing, all contribute to longer tire
life.
Winter auto protection
starts before season
(NU) - Summer is gone. But the
lawn remains green and the car is
still gleaming in the driveway.
Y
For now. In most of the country,
winter driving will soon take its toll
on those shiny summer chariots -
from winter salt, snow and ice, to
incessant downpours.
The time to prepare the car for
that onslaught is before it begins.
"During the summer months the
car is exposed to sand, dirt and
grime because it is being driven
more for recreation," said Mike Ri-
ley of Zieb'art TidyCar, the na-
tionwide chain of auto care and
rust -proofing shops. "If the car isn't.
cleaned before winter, it is also ex-
posed to salt, slush and ice.
"That's a deadly combination for
the interior and exterior of the ve-
hicle."
Before winter sets in, a car
should undergo a complete clean-
ing and detailing of interior and ex-
terior surfaces, including hidden ar-
eas such as the engine
compartment, under door panels
and the bottom of the vehicle.
Inside, upholstery and carpeting
are most vulnerable to the buildup
of grit and grime from summer ac-
tivities, said Riley,
who is product
manager of the Ziebart detailing
According to the American Salt
Institute, the average road salt piled
or slick U.S. roads in winter totals
6Q million tons. Of that, about 3.5
pounds ends up on the average car,
eating into painted and metal sur-
faces and triggering rust and corro-
sion. Despite what car owners may
think, automobile manufacturer
warranties don't cover all metal
surfaces prone to rust, including
many hidden areas.
And, late model cars do rust. Ri-
ley said recent manufacturer recalls
til%."�"Ali'i$`i'tf9�!%'Adti''•':
• Class 'A' Mechanics
• Mechanical work on all
makes & models
•
For all
of your tune-up
& winterizing
needs
give one of our
local garages
a call.
And They'll Cell Us!
FORD
FALL/WINTER
CHECKUP
• OII cnange Includes' up to 5L of
Motorcraft 5W30,lOW30 or 10W40
Premium Motor Oil plus a new
Motorcraft Oil Filler.
• A thorough Impaction of
Exhaust system, shock absorbers,
steering linkage, front and roar
suspenelon, battery cables and
connectors, all belts and Mild
levels• windshield wiper blades, air
cleaner/filter, radiator and heater
hoses
• Lubrication of: Hoed, doer and
trunk hinges and latches
• Teat: Coolant for temperature
Protection, battery specific gravity.
50 lights and signals
(chase) equipped vehicles extra)
Batteries
Auto. Backed by our
Motorcraft warranty!
WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!
BX -58-C
From
$7g.95
Hwy #88 East
Wingham
4
for such things as subframes that
hold car engines and transmissions
in place "show that rust damage to
motor vehicles is alive and well."
As a result, companies like Zie-
bart which are known for rust pro-
tection continue to thrive. Such
companies have also extended ser-
vices into such areas as detailing
and accessories.
Riley advises putting a "winter
coat" on a car beginning with inter-
ior and exterior detailing and pro-
tection services. Ziebart TidyCar
experts recommend the application
of high-quality waxes or sealants to
protect exterior or surfaces.
Rust protection materials, Riley
said, should be applied to under
surfaces, hidden box sections and
seams of the vehicle.
group. If the dirt is not cleaned
away, the accumulation can speed
up deterioration of the fabric, he
said.
Winter salt poses a significant
threat to both the interior and ex-
terior of the vehicle.
perishable foods such as chocolate
bars, instant soup, tea or coffee
(should you get stranded for a long
period of time); 14. a tin can and
matches or a lighter and candles to
melt snow (never use unmelted
snow as a substitute for drinking
water; plus, a single candle can
warm an empty full-sized sealed
car by 4.5 degrees C (10 degrees
ing of wax before the weather turns
nasty. This is critical in areas
where salt is used for snow re-
moval.
Whether you're a "do-it-yourselfer"
or a patron of the professional re-
pairman, there's a lot to be said for
getting the car care chores out of
the way before the severe weather
arrives.
THE WINGHQMADVAMCET/ME$
$niart
For good health'
iota of liquids
(NC) -For good health, cars, like
humans. need lots of liquids. To
keep your car in top condition, check
these vital fluids regularly: power
steering, brake, transmission and
differential fluids, underbody lubri-
cation and coolant/anti-freeze,
?S:a;":::':,i:' u<S:A!1�.:: ro::::i'..........:.1:;.^::t:':C{f:l.'�i.9::::$:::✓.2tr:!S �:'rr;:.w4�: :.
The Suspension and Alignment Specialists
Monroe Shock Absorbers • Dayton & Cooper Tires
Hwy #86 West of Wingham
357-1230
.44
�I
• Winter Exhaust System Check-ups.
341 Josephine Street
Wingham
357-3862
Canadian Tire
Wingisaarrs
4N Com' el
Preventative Maintenance Care
It's Time To Prepare your vehicle for the long winter ahead.
V HERE'S WHAT WE DO!
Requires
OK Attention
❑ ® 1. Rad -Hoses and Belts
® ® 2. Battery Cables (Visual )
U 3. Lights, Horn and Wipers
U 4. Tires- Condition and Pressure
U 5. Steering and Suspension
❑ 6. Exhaust
❑ 7. Brakes
❑ 8. U -Joints, CN Joints & Boots
❑ 9. Fluid Levels
❑ 10. Seals,Gaskets 8 Motor Mounts
[] 11. Road Test
❑ 12. Fuel System (Visual)
SYSTEM/) FLUSH & FILL
•
ALWAYS FREE
BRAKE - EXHAUST or FRONT END INSPECTIONS
Written Estimates!
Guaranteed Service!
Based an Odometer Reeding, Cooling system
should ❑ should not (3 be flushed (o 40,000 km )
Coolant Appearance
OK ❑ U Poor
Coolant Strength
Shocks & Struts appear original and, basedon Odometer Reading
should ® , should not D • be. replaced (. 40,000 km. ) based on ,
Tire wear and condition. alignment required , not required
Note: Motomaster MUFFLERS carry a LIFETIME GUARANTEE
N Reg. Value
$14.95
Expires November 4, 1895
Canadian Tire
Wingham
86 Josephine Street
357-3714