HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1988-10-19, Page 8-8A — THE HURON EXPOSITOR, OCTOBER 19, 1988
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Winterize your automobile for improved driving efficiency.
Batten down the hatches! Seal the win-
dows! Stack the firewood! And; most impor-
tantly, prepare the vehicles!
Brace yourself. Winter is on the way, and
everything in its vengeful path must be
ready to face the foe, when it bombards us
with its powerful ammunition — sleet, snow
and ice.
"One of the most defenseless victims` of
winter is your automobile, dependent upon
you to protect its vulnerable undersides, in-
cluding the exhaust, brake and suspension
systems," says Walt Alley, Director of
Training at the Midas Institute of
Technology (M.I.T.) in Palatine, Illinois.
"Preparations on these and other car
systems will ensure that' you, your
passengers and your car make it safely and
smoothly through the war agaihst winter."
Where to begin
Start your winter preparation with a com-
MITT M
TOM tn
plete under -the -car safety inspection of your
auto's vital systems and a tune-up. Here are
a few of the primary points from Walt
Alley's fall car care and safety checklist.
Brakes — The brakes should be inspected
just prior to the winter season.
If you hear a scrunch or squeal, notice the
car pulling to one side while stopping, or
have an unusually hard or soft brake pedal,
your brakes should be checked.
Exhaust — Severe weather, rocks and
potholes can damage the exhaust system.
A hole in the muffler or exhaust pipes can
let engine exhaust fumes seep into the car.
This creates a danger when driving with the
windows closed against the cold winter air.
Have your exhaust system inspected for
possible leaks.
Shocks — A hard jolt from a winter
pothole will attempt to throw your car out of
control. Worn shock absorbers may reduce
the ability to control your car. Ineffective
shocks may also cause excessive body roll
on curves.
Springs — If you notice that the tail end of
your car sits lower than the front, you may
have weak or broken rear springs. Weak
springs can cause vehicle instability and
result In loss of control, especially on slip-
pery roads.
Your under -the -car suspension specialist
can measure your car's height to determine
the condition of your springs.
Struts — Many foreign cars and most new
American models have strut suspension
systems instead of the traditional shock
absorbers. ,
Struts require basically the same care as
shocks, but there is a clue to detecting strut
wear: Your tires will wear unevenly
because of poor alignment caused by faulty
struts.
Oil and lube — Cold temperatures thicken
lubricating oil, making it hard for engine
parts to move. Change the oil to the proper
winter weight and replace•the oil filter.
A fall lube will help to protect the suspen-
sion and steering parts from the ravages of
snow, slush and salt.
Sensible precautions
"After the car has been fully inspected
and prepared for winter, do your own safety
maintenance inspection," Alley suggests.
"Even if you don't know a lot about cars,
you can still take several simple
precautions."
• Make sure wipers are in good operating
order and the windshield wiper fluid tank is
full.
• Check the heater and defroster for pro-
per functioning.'
• Examine all fan belts, hoses and clamps
012
Wood heati
SEE US FOR ...
• Tune Ups • Tires • Lube Jobs •
• Full Cooling System Service • Brakes •
• Exhaust Systems • Batteries •
Personal Service
C.J.'S AUTO SERVICE
Frml
527-0333 A'� A
O
23 Goderich St., E. Seaforth
The energy crisis of the mid-70s is behind us,
but high fuel, prices are here now and even
higher ones are likely to follow. That has
lead a growing number of Canadians to ex-
plore the potential for heating their homes
with wood.
Energy-efficient wood -burning stoves are
now available in a wide variety of designs,
including traditional -looking equipment
that has all the benefits of modern
technology. Homeowners interested in
heating with wood are almost certain to find
an appliance that matches their decor.
Appearance is important, but it is only one
of many considerations when purchasing
wood -burning equipment. In fact, before
you even begin to look at appliances you
should ensure that you have access to a
secure, reasonably priced wood supply. If
you do, and you are willing to devote the ex-
tra time and attention required to operate a
safe and efficient system, you'll find that
heating with wood can be a rewarding ex-
perience in terms of comfort, aesthetics and
cost.
APPLIANCES
Selecting the appropriate wood -burning
appliance for your needs will probably re-
quire some research and comparative shop-
ping. You'll find that proper installation of
wood -heating equipment is expensive; ob-
viously, it costs more to install a central
for signs of wear and potential breaks.
Squeaking noises from under the hood can
mean your power steering pump belt is
worn or needs adjustment.
• Inspect all lights. If you turn on your
lights and hear a squeak' from under the
hood, your alternator belt is worn or needs
adjustment.
• Check tire pressure and tire treads for
uneven wear and make sure the spare is in-
flated and in good condition. Low tire
pressure wastes gasoline and causes
premature tire wear.
• Use a graphite -type spray in door and
trunk locks to lubricate them throughout the
winter.
To help your prepare for winter, the near-
ly 1,500 Midas Muffler and Brake Shops
across the country offer free under -the -car
safety inspections.
g:is it right for you?
heating system than a. free-standing stove.
Also, central heating systems do not lend
themselves to self -installation. Wood stoves
and furnaces range in price from a few hun-
dred to several thousand dollars, and an ap-
proved chimney system can cost more than
the appliance.
Wood -burning appliances come in a varie-
ty of types, shapes and sizes. They include
space heaters, pellet -burning stoves,
cookstoves, forced -air wood furnaces,
boilers, add-on furnaces and boilers, and
dual -fuel furnaces. The equipment you
select will depend largely on the role you in-
tend it to play in.the home.
Spend some time becoming familiar with
the various options. With sufficient informa-
tion about your heating requirements and
the proposed location of the appliance, an in-
formed dealer can usually recommend the
appropriate type and size of equipment for
your needs.
It is important to buy equipment that has
been tested and labeled to the standards of
the Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
or the Underwriters Laboratories of Canada
(ULC). Before you purchase any equip-
ment, check with your insurance agent
about coverage: Some companies charge
higher premiums, for homes equipped with
wood -burning appliances.
SAFETY
tai
GETTHE MOST
FROM YOUR
HOT WATER DOLLAR.
HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO.
Fix that dripping tap
A dripping hot water tap lets gallons a
month go down the drain. A simple 250
washer will soon fix it ... and save you
money as well.
Wood -burning heating appliances require
more maintenance and attention than elec-
tric, oil or natural gas systems. This is
because creosote, a flammable byproduct of
incomplete wood combustion, continually
accumulates on the inside surfaces of the
heating equipment, particularly in the flue
pipe and chimney. As little as 6 mm (1/4 in. )
of creosote can result in a chimney fire.
Although creosote is the common enemy,
carbon monoxide (an odourless, colourless
and tasteless gas) is the most dangerous
product of incomplete wood combustion in
the home. To avoid this problem, ensure
that your system has good draft and that
you burn small, hot fires rather than large
smouldering ones.
You can slow down the build-up of
creosote by using a chimney that is in-
sulated and an efficient appliance, by burn-
ing well -seasoned wood, and by building hot,
quick -burning fires. However, regular
chimney inspection and cleaning are the
best ways to avoid problems. Your home
should also be equipped with smoke
detectors.
A comprehensive booklet on burning wood
in the home, Residential Wood Heating: A
Homeowner's Guide, is available by writing
to Energy, Mines and Resources Canada,
Residential Energy Management Division,
580 Booth St., Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0E9.
GET READY
FOR WINTER
F)
•OIL CHANGES
•ANTI FREEZE
•SNOW TIRES
•CAR WASHING &
WAXING
Archie's Sunoco
Open 7 Days A Week
24 Goderich St. E.,
Seaforth, Ont. 527-0881
��!ilglllfll�.
•
m
C O • o P WINTER'S
ON ITS WAY.
See Us For - '''
• LOIL
*FUEL
* PROPANE
P NE
Save the laundry for a full load.
Washing and drying one or two items wastes
energy and money. Wait until you have a full
load before doing your laundry. And - save
energy too with your dishwasher - again wait
for a full load before operating
the appliance.
Use a "low flow"
showerhead.
You still get a great shower, but
you use a lot less hot water.
They're very•economical and
available at most local hard-
ware stores.
WEATHER STRIPPING
CAULKING
MICRO FURNACES
AUXILIARY HEATERS.
HERE'S WHAT WE'
CAN DO FORYOU.
We can install an economical electric
water heater
Electric water heaters provide up to 40% more
hot water storage for those early morning family
showers. And they're economical and trouble free. Installation is
easy, since the electric water heater needs no flues or vents and can
be installed virtually anywhere in your home.
WARM
WORK
CLOTHING,
GLOVES,
BOOTS
Ask about our economical rental and purchase plans. Simply call 527-0530
EnerMark
The Electricity People
SEAFORTH
PUBLIC UTILITIES
COMMISSION
SEAFORTH CO-OP
Ma n Street, Seaforth 527-0770
A