The Citizen, 1986-03-26, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1986.
Heat can effect everything, even tape player
Summer driving tips usually
concentrate on how to keep your
radiator from boiling over. That's
not enough, says Saab. Heat can
effect the family car in ways that
most people never expect.
According to Dan David, Saab-
Scania of America technical mana-
ger, not only engines overheat.
The same can happen to cassette
decks, batteries, tires and you
should even look out for summer
hazards toyour car's paint work
and wiper blades.
Heat is the enemy of a car's
cassette tape player. According to
Mr. David. high temperatures
make the tape drive components
sticky. They pick up dirt and
adhesives from tapes, especially if
the cassettes have been left in a car
parked in the sun.
-Unless the player is cleaned
periodically, the tapes can tangle
and jam the machine," Mr. David
said_
Tape players can be deaned with
isoproply alcohol or, better yet.
with a Special tape cleaner such as
the Allsop 3 tape deck care kit that
Saab provides to every buyer of a
1986 Saab Turbo.
When working on a car's
electrical system, including the
radioor other accessories, it's good
practice to disconnect the battery.
But Mr. David has a word of
warning on this subject: "Remem-
ber to clean the battery posts,
especially in hot weather."
Saab-Scania has found that if the
positive battery post is not cleaned
before reconnecting, there may be
an oil film between the battery post
and the terminal end - leading to
another summer problem.
"Extreme underhood tempera-
tures turn this oil film into a strong
electrical resistance," Mr. David
said. This can be the source of
hard -to -diagnose voltage pro-
blems, ranging from instrument
fluctuation to a dead battery when
engine and battery are hot.
Keep your car longer with care
First the good news: According
to the U.S. Department of Trans-
portation, "There aremany thou-
sands of cars, 10 to 15 years old,
still giving their owners good
service and showing little or no
evidence of body and structural
deterioration."'
But, unfortunately. there is also
some bad news: "Thousands
more, less than 10 years old,
occupy space in junkyards because
rust has eaten away their bodies or
seriously weakened their frames.'"
Preventive maintenance was
and still is the answer to this costly
problem. Car Care Council recom-
mends weekly washing and semi-
annual polishing and waxing of the
car to remove contaminants that
build up on the paint surface.
While today's automotive fin-
ishes are more resistant to deter-
ioration than thoseofa decade ago,
they are still vulnerable to salt and
corrosive —fallout" in the air,
especially in heavily populated or
industrial areas. With proper
maintenance, however, the protec-
live coating will helptokeep the car
looking like new for years to come.
The Council also emphasizes
keeping up with rust -prone nicks
and scratches on the paint surface,
especially in areas where salt is
used on the streets.
According to the National Paint
and Coatings Association, virtu-
ally every paint color used on cars
over the past several years can be
matched with readily available
touch-up paints that range in price
from 52.00 to 510.00.
Minor scratches and parking lot
—dings" can be covered with the
fine brush included in touch-up
kits, while larger repairs may
require more extensive prepara-
tion and the use of spray cans of
touch-up paint.
Professional refinishing of large
panels often is the best way to
restore a car's exterior beauty.
Although automotive finishes
account for only one percent of a
car"s total cost, they form the sole
protective barrier between the_
harsh environment and your entire
car, as well as providing a colorful
surface.
TIRES DON'T BOIL OVER
"Overheated tires don't boil
over. They blow out or shred to bits
with no warning," Mr. David said.
"In the same way that the engine
iswater-cooled, think of tires as
air-cooled. So, in the summer,
keep the tires cooler by maintain-
ing the recommended air pressure.
If driving long distances with a full
load, add a couple of pounds above
the normal pressure."
Heat falsifies tire pressure
readings, so always check tire
pressures while the tires are cold
and never remove air from a hot
tire, Saab's spokesman said.
SUN ATTACKS
Mr. David recommends exterior
cleanliness this time of year:
During the summer the strong
sunlight combines with acid rain
and other pollutants to attack a
car's finsh.
"Fight back by washing the car
regularly with lots of water," Mr.
David Said. "It's the best way to
stop the formation of permanent
spots that mar the finish." By
damaging the paint, industrial
pollutants promote rusting.
The ozone in the air also
deteriorates wiper blades. Mid-
summer is therefore a good time to
inspect and, if need be, replace
them, according to Saab.
If you are wondering why Saab
(the Swedish automaker famous
for cars that handle so well on snow
and ice) is the expert on hot
weather driving, Mr. David offers
this explanation: ' `After a long,
harsh winter. Swedes want to get
the most out of the summer; they
make sure their car is trouble-
free."
Carl's Auto Body
is now taking orders on repairs
& repaints for cars & trucks
AVOID THE RUSH!
BOOK EARLY!
CALL 887-9269
BRUSSELS
HOOD,
DAVE'S CAR OILING
DRUMMOND ST. E., BLYTH 523-4343
TRUNK LID
INNER =�. _ � �; —' INNER
FENDERS I FENDERS
DOORS & UNDERSIDE DOG
DOOR POSTS LEGS
CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS
We use only new, acid -free hot oil
$18.00-$20.00-$22.00
Evenings after 5 p.m. or call 523-4343 for appointment
HARVEY KROTZ FORD
WALLACE AVENUE NORTH
1984 Crown Victoria, 4 dr., loaded, 1984Eagle4x4stationwagon, clean car, 1982 Lesabre Limited, 4 dr., loaded,
37,000 mi. 30,000 mi. 40,000 mi.
1983 Ford T.Bird, V6, automatic,
49,000 mi. $6650.
1985 F-250 Supercab, loaded,
9,000 mi.
1984 F-150 4x4 XLT, short box,
37,000 mi.
1983 F-250 Diesel, 4 speed,
45,000 mi.
1983 F-250, 6 cyl., 4 speed, 30,000 mi.
$6250.
LISTOWEL 1-291-35-20