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The Huron Expositor, 1974-05-09, Page 20i4 ownership has increased, ten month, say 11.,001, miles per , . - Association of Japan and Di- tenance for their cars, such as taking them- to the deal - -fold during the past ten year. Therefore little trdii- ante and make sure your ' without making sure it was is .a family and the care- Japan's Thousands of New Drivers Must Keep Cars Safe...' ' .:., ;,•• , Inspection Required Every Two Years Means ABOUT THE AUTHOR Eizo Ikeda, who contribute, wipers and non-standard modifications &re checked respect it .is the car owner advisable for to learn to Proper Maintenance • is a Must this report from Japan, is for safety. detect problems early and By EIZO IKEDA The average pxivate car Japanese passenger car runs about 1,000 miles per presently both Vice President of the Automobile Journalists • It is advisable for owners to get more frequent main- turn his car experts, over to the ownership has increased, ten month, say 11.,001, miles per , . - Association of Japan and Di- tenance for their cars, such as taking them- to the deal - -fold during the past ten year. Therefore little trdii- ante and make sure your ' without making sure it was is .a family and the care- years. More than half of the ble should be expected dur- lessly prepared container is rector of the er's service facility periodi- enormously enlarged num- Ing the first two years ofw. .y.. Traffic Jour- tally. However, if this is not ber of drivers are first time ownership. New cars have f : nalista Assoela- `��� •` >`" 'in possible, the driver should , car owners, short on ex- the advantage that if, and toof his na- ?; ask for a quick "check; ' perience. Compared to other when, they give trouble, it 'is . do country. a through'! then he stops at countries the 'background only necessary to call for ` ' :<'. one of the, gasoline station. of the average Japanese the dealer's mobile service y?., the leading test Service stations are capa- car owner is unpsual. unit. So, as a piece of gen- drivers .of new his ble of simple engine tuning The older driver here, eral advice to the mechan-cars, re- and, of" course, they check also his fellows abroad, has scally innocent — "Buy a• Ikeda portsappear oil, water, tires and spark . a deep mechanical knowl- 'new car and have fewer regularly in Japanese and also English plugs, edge, gairkd from pest ex- problems." language magazines. . Japan is a small' co ntry perience. He knows how to There are strict regula- Mr. Ikeda was born in Tok- and the average driving -are for his car and keep 'a tions in .force concerning .yo in 1934 and was graduated distance is short. So the her running in trouble the safety maintenance ..of from Waseda University in private owner is unlikely to free manner. cars. As a condition of reg- 1957. He has owned Band driv- wear his car out, Because For the inexperienced istration, all vehicles,' in en automobiles for 23 year,, of this, he gets by on in - driver, car maintenance Japan must pass an inspec- • frequent maintenance. presents a problm. He has tion every two years '(one serviced • completely. There are very few ,in- to have someone keeping his year `ar trucks) . ' Thanks to this obligatory tbusiasts who service their . car in shape for him. To pass this 'test, every system, vehicles in Japan on cars. I was surprised to Inexperienced drivers far, even one° which has are kept in a reasonably fi how few people even tend to buy new cars to been driven only 20,000' safe sta ` uspension; • washed and waxed-"-, their avoid mechanical problems. miles in 2 years, must be brakes, 1' h i g, windshield cars themselves. In this Stopping fgr ... , . - Pre' -Vacation Car Check Major Step" one would think mailing a valuable packaggee If that invaluable cargo ante and make sure your ' without making sure it was is .a family and the care- shock absorbers are' not wrapped carefully and som- lessly prepared container is worn out or damaged. pletely protected. Yet if a car, then odds are almost• VISION: Check wind: statistics are ,correct, most even that there -is at least shield wipers,' headlights, turn signals, back-up and people aren't as careful • 'their one serious defect in that brake lights to make sure when sending most ' vehicle. The odds are based 'reports they are in good condition. l3recious possession on a on from official ve- Make sure reservoirs long journey, a hicle. inspection agencies showing approximatleiy one ,washer . are filled and tl)at all glass and e Buying Some out of every two cars cannot mirrors are clean, + + wheel. However, when the pass simple, safety checks. COOLING SYSTEM: Clean ' New 'I'lres� To help make certain you out and flush the cooling ,. • ' and your loved ones have system and refill with new When a person' buys a a safe and breakdown -free ` coolant, and rust inhibitor if needed. Check the ther- new dishwasher, he's going to put it where he needs it trip, here's a list of items to check with your favorite mostat,fan belt and ' water most — in the kitchen. service outlet before you pump. Inspect all belts and hoses and'condition of the Safety experts say the'same depart. radiator ca p'+ rule applies when buying new tires. Unless the car BRAKES, TIRES AND + + T has front -wheel drive, tires ` WHEELS: Have brake lin- ings inspected, check fluid LUBRICATION:eed.= ,ed, change the oil and oil should go where they're ' needed most — on the rear levels and seals and adjust filter. As part of an overall ' wheels.. ' brakes. Check tires for ex- chassis lubrication, check "Whn selecting cessive wear or visible signs transmission and differen- a pair n'le .t.•tires•in .the of damage. If needed, ro- tate the ,tires. Also check tial fluids, front wheel bear - ings, locks and, hinges. samereplac same size" and construction wheel alignment � and bal- • • + + as already on the car, they "- should be put on the rear wheels for better traction • ' •and h2ndling," says RossEvery.%turd, ` � at �u�'� bu'sin le., R. Orihsby, Chairman of,, y us Tire Industry Safety Coun- ciiBobB� Many exportsfeel mDistributor. >-. aaw > �,.'✓p/J •::> b s a Texaco Far �. ::.:..wf:•x ;<c: ;�' a„S+• 2i: �::::::ti�� Ev r .Sato daY ••> .r ..�: . ' f:'.":» .. 1 stS who develop tire r b- .:•.,•�:'•.iS.f.:.;L•• the boys drop into Kis place :k �•. lems on the front axle, to pick up some Marfak or because of skidding or dis- Havoline or just to chew the ablement, still have a cer-� fat.'' tain degree of control over Bob's is kind of a meet- a the vehicle with the steering, ing place. i '> wheel. However, when the But Bob doesnt m.ind `• s'” '` :^ problem occurs the rear because most of his custom 3` . . wheels most drivers' have ' no wayto compensate foi e?�redare his friends too. He'sskids or swerves before the hthese men keep their vehicle canbe stopped. �fm equipment in good 'fiire "safety experts from) shape ISe with top quality pro - the National Bureau of ducts from Texaco., �,`%ndards Office of Vehicle There are Texaco Dis- Systems Research Institute tributors, just ,likeBob all<;''! for Applied Technology sur- across the country. And like veyed independent studies Bob, most Of them - have conducted throughout the complete farm andhome country and involving thou- delivery service. But on Sat- ;. 'f<` :> ands of passenger cars. There is strong evidence »: tiY urdays, the -boys still drop in. ' that a significant number In some places it's almost a of car owners' place least tradition. worn tires on the front wheels, whereas available accident experience 'Indi- cates the least' worn tire's zi should be placed on the rear. "Bald tires on the rear appear to. be more of a T����O safety hazard than on the front, a finding at variance with automotive folklore. And bald tires on wet pave- meni make a particularly hazardous combination. ■ "Vehicles in accidentsbRobert E.-Dinsmore have a larger number r off - severely worn tires on the . rear than on the front, sug- SERVING -- gesting that it is safer to putnewer orless worn tires on the rear,", said the gov- PHONE: 527-A224 CLINTON -- SEAFORTH -- MITCHELL ernment survey. , 4s —TJX HUMN EXPOM"It, SEAFOIil1'1i, ONT., MAY 9, 1974 y.