The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutZurich Citizens News, 1969-05-29, Page 12PAGE TWELVE ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS- Car Care Supplement Car Care Cuts Air Pollution * fir * What Helps Here Also Saves Money for Auto Owner Good car care takes on add- ed importance these days — to you, your pocketbook, and the air you breathe. This is espe- cially so if you own a car built during the past seven years, according to the American Petroleum Institute. If your car is a 1963 or later model, it is equipped with a device to control pollutants that would otherwise come from the engine crankcase. If you own a 1968 or 1969 model, it also has a system for reduc- ing tailpipe emissions. These devices and systems, however, will continue to work properly — and, what's more, allow the engine to perform satisfactorily — only if you have your car checked regu- larly, A periodic tune-up will save you money in fuel and re- pair costs, give you a smoother running car, and help cut down on air pollution. 1963: Crankcase Controls The first device to control automotive pollution was in- stalled nationally in all 1963 cars. The device — called the "positive crankcase ventila- tion," or PCV valve — was de- signed to recirculate unburned hydrocarbons back to the en- gine where they have another chance to burn. Formerly, these unburned gases (called blowby gases) escaped past the piston rings into the crankcase, where they were vented into the air. In- stallation of the PCV device cut total hydrocarbon emis- sions from the typical car by 24 per cent, compared with cars without the device. The PCV valve will continue to do its job in controlling hy- drocarbon emissions if it's per- iodically inspected and serv- iced as required under your car warranty. Otherwise, you may be in for trouble. Over a period of time, crankcase fumes tend to build up gums or varnishes. These could cause the valve to stick and not function. Resuh: Poor Starting If the valve gets stuck in the open position, the carburetor will feed the engine too Iean a mixture of fuel and air. The result: poor starting and pos- sible frequent stalling while you wait and idle at a stop- light. In the more likely event that the valve sticks in the closed position, crankcase fumes will be trapped in the crankcase. These fumes will either escape through the oil filler breather cap (if the breather cap is clean) , or form sludge in the crankcase. This can create corrosive acids, which ruin en- gine bearings. The best way to prevent for- mation of these acids is to have the valve checked each time you have your oil changed or engine tuned. Most car manufacturers rec- ommend periodic replacement of the PCV valve. This can be done inexpensively and easily by your service station me- chanic. This preventive main- tenance can prove to be cheap insurance against an expen- sive bearing replacement job. 1968: Exhaust Controls The second significant step in automotive pollution con- trol occurred, nationally, with the installation of exhaust control systems, beginning with 1968 cars. These systems are designed to control both hydrocarbon and carbon mo- noxide emissions. In most 1968 and 1969 cars, the exhaust control system is based on modification of the engine to achieve a lean fuel mixture and retarded ignition to produce higher combustion temperatures. Cuts Carbon Monoxide These exhaust control sys- tems, together with the PCV valve, reduce total hydrocar- bon emissions about two- thirds. Exhaust controls also cut carbon monoxide emis- sions by around 60 per cent, compared to earlier cars with- out such controls. These systems are thus very effective in reducing tailpipe emissions but they make reg- ular maintenance all the more essential. Here's why: p * • Your spark plugs run hot- ter and may have to be re- placed more often. • Only periodic tune-nps can keep the pollution control system and its parts (air pumps, pump drive belts, air hoses, and other hard- ware) working at top effi- ciency — both to insure satisfactory and economi- cal engine operation and to minimize exhaust emis- sions. * a * The auto and oil industries are continuing to work to fur- ther reduce auto pollution. The 1970 models will have im- proved exhaust controls to re- duce hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions by some 30 per cent below the levels of the 1968 and 1969 models. The 1971 models are expect- ed to have devices that will virtually eliminate evapora- tion of fuel from the carbure- tor and fuel tank. With this step, total hydrocarbon emis- sions will have been reduced by around 85 per cent. And farther on down the road are systems, now in the experi- mental stage, that have the potential to control auto pol- lution even more. About Older Cars Today, less than half the cars on the road do not have any pollution controls. In an- other 2-3 years, this will be true of only 25 per cent of the nation's cars. As more pre - 1963 cars are scrapped, at least one part of the auto pollution problem — crankcase -emis- sions — will be fully solved be- fore too long. Meanwhile, even if your car has no pollution controls, it will emit fewer pollutants if it's kept in good operating condition. An engine—no matter what its age — with one bad spark plug will not only perform poorly; it may also emit up to 25 times more hydrocarbons than a properly tuned engine. And a faulty carburetor or choke adjustment can cost you money by permitting one gal- lon of gasoline out of every tankful to pass into the air unburned. Whether your car is old or new, it will perform better, last longer, cause less air pol- lution, and — most important — save you money in the long run, if you make sure it re- ceives proper, regular care. THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1969 Driving Economy far on Luxury Budget? Tests Show How to Save Are you driving an economy car on a luxury car budget? Chances are this is the case if you aren't driving and serv- icing your car properly. Get- ting the best performance from your car at the least pos- sible expenditure depends on how you drive and how you care for your car. Take the matter of gasoline consumption, Tests conducted on an international basis by Champion Spark Plug Com- pany last year showed how condition of the car affects gasoline mileage. Champion transported a dy- namometer on wheels to shop- ping centers in the United States, Canada and Mexico to test effects of tune-up on gas- oline mileage. Results of Tests Cars were tested for gasoline consumption before tune-up, after installation of new spark plugs and after a complete tune-up. Average improvement after installation of new spark plugs alone was 6.2 percent in the U.S. and Canada. Average improvement after complete tune-up was 8.2 percent. Thus, close to two gallons in every tankful of gasoline can be saved when the engine is kept in tune. Proper maintenance can al- so save as much as 20 percent in tire life. Keeping tires at recommended air pressures not only saves wear on tires but actually helps improve gasoline mileage. Underinflat- ed tires, especially, are thieves of gasoline. In addition to proper infla- tion, balancing the wheels and correct wheel alignment are essential to maximum tire 'wear. Experts estimate that tires subjected to unbalancing and wrong alignment could easily wear out six months pre- maturely. Another ingredient to eco- nomical driving is using the best grades of oil available and changing that oil and filter at recommended intervals. Good oil, properly maintained, can save inestimable yet substan- tial wear on vital engine parts. Neglect of oil could lead to a premature deterioration of rods and pistons and could re- quire a major engine overhaul. In fact, any program of pre- ventive maintenance is the most economical investment you can make. Lubrication performed on time saves steer- ing and chassis components. Attention to brake condition makes each service reasonably priced instead of excessively costly as in cases where drums are scored through neglect. Biggest Payoff The above are but a few ex- amples of potential savings through systematic preventive maintenance. The biggest payoff for a well -cared -for car would come at trade-in time, A car that is M good condition could bring an additional several hundred dollars over a neglected car. There's another bonus that can't always be measured in dollars and cents. That's the security realized from driving a safe, well -performing auto. BEST WISHES TO Dungey's Service Centre ZURICH CHARLES ECKEL "Supertest Farm Agent" Phone 236- I(111 Zurich ow Opal/ IN OUR NEW LOCATION IN. DOWNTOWN CLINTON (ACROSS FROM HOTEL CLINTON) HAUGH TIRE • GOOD YEAR POWER CUSHION 855 x 15 or 14 — 8 -PLY RATED (Ideal for heavy cars and WIDE OVALS G70 x 14 WHITEWALLS COMPARABLE LIST 61.50 OTHER SIZES AND STYLES AT SIMILAR SAVINGS SEE THE NEW '78 SERIES THE NEW CONCEPT IN AUTO TIRES (Availabe With Fiberglass Belt) NOW ON DISPLAY AT HAUGH SUPPLY TEL. 482- 9796 COMPARABLE LIST 67.55 Haugh will $3200 install at • station wagons) Special While They Last Installed $30.00 NEED CREDIT? Get the details on our CANA-CARD credit system — If you have any kind of credit card you have credit with us. FOR ALL YOUR TIRE NEEDS AUTO, TRUCK & TRACTOR HAUGH TIRE SUPPLY Downtown Clinton