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The Citizen, 1987-04-15, Page 16/ PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1987. "You wondered why we were always adding to the radiator. I think I've found the leak... ” Maintenance crucial Keeping an auto log pays off to smaller car engines Downsizing the automobile over the past 10 years has helped change our cars from gas guzzlers togas sippers. The result of this redesign is smaller, lighter cars. Mostofthem are front wheel drive, powered by a transversely mount­ ed four-cylinder or V-6 engine. Even though the cars and engines are smaller, the way people drive has not changed. Most cars are still subjected to prolonged high-speed driving, fre­ quent stops and starts, occasional heavy overloading and inadequate or improper preventive mainten­ ance. The end result is that the smaller engine runs approximately 25 percent faster and creates 15-20 percent more heat than the large V-8 engine that was the standard 10 years ago. Specifically,belts, hosesand other engine components are subjected to a variety of heat sources. These include the temper­ ature of the coolant and radiant heat sources, collected together in a smaller engine compartment, which generate higher underhood temperatures in today’s down­ sized cars. These under-hood temperatures can contribute to premature hose and belt failure. Hoses and belts $1 million insurance no longer enough Some top insurance laywers are warning that the usual liability insurance coverage of $1 million, the amount most motorists carry in third part liability, may no longer be sufficient. Despite current discussions a- about major changes in the Canadian insurance industry, the law of compensation for personal injuries in Canada has changed dramatically in the past ten years. Although our Courts of Law have been more restrained in awarding damages than have been their counterparts in the U.S., they are nonetheless tending to grant dam­ ages on an increasingly generous scale. $1 million coverage in the early 1970’s was considered unusual and unnecessary. But we have now reached the point where one may become cracked or brittle due to excessive heat. All rubber parts should be checked for these signs of wear any time the hood is opened. In addition, in downsized cars radiators are smaller, and acces­ sory drives such as the water pump, work harder and at higher speeds. Therefore, especially in smaller cars, maintaining an effi­ cient cooling system is very important. Also, four cylinder car engines tendtovibratemorethan larger engines. This can lead to loose fittings and attachments which can reduce the life of under-hood components. Manufacturing technology has improved to meet the greater heat and wear demands created by downsizing cars. Improved braids and reinforcements on belts and hoses and higher heat-resistant compounds are used in the manu­ facture of these parts. However, despite these improv­ ed standards, additional emphasis must also be placed on preventive maintenance. Regular preventive maintenance checks for belt and hose wear, as well as scheduled cooling system check-ups and engine tune-ups can help keep smaller cars operating efficiently. million dollar damages awards are quitepossible, andhave indeed been granted upon occasion. It follows, therefore, that $1 million of insurance is probably not enough. At this time, there is no reason to believe that the escala­ tion in damages awards will not continue, and so liability insurance should keep pace. Your insurance premium will only rise by a relatively few dollars if you ask your agent for an increase incoveragetoahigher liability. Many motorists today carry two million in liability coverage, and consider it to be prudent rather than excessive. The very essence of insurance is to guard against financial cata­ strophe. Today, anything less than two million dollars may very well fail to do that. Logging, defined as the act of entering information in a log book, is done by pilots, fleet operators, the military and virtually anyone to whom vehicle performance and dependability are essential. Maintaining a log book is a good idea for private owners too, says Car Care Council, who suggest that setting up and maintaining an auto “diary” is a simple procedure. It’s a matter of keeping a pencil and note pad handy to record anything of importance about the mainten­ ance and operation of the car or truck. Essentially there are six types of entries: 1. Gasoline fill-ups and mileage; 2. Addition of various fluids such as engine oil, coolant, power steering fluid and at what mileage; 3. Maintenance services per­ formed: what, when, by whom and how much it cost; Jump starting? Do it right Although the coming of Spring usually means that the necessity of jump-starting the family car is over for another season, there are still times - such as when you park with your headlights on for a few hours - that the procedure will be needed again. Safety experts warn that jump-starting can be dangerous unless done with care. The biggest hazard is the chance that the dead battery may explode if a spark ignites gas from the chemicals it contains. This is a rare occurrence, but when it happens, acid and pieces of the battery can be sprayed over people nearby, burning them and causing severe eye injuries. Most auto owners’ manuals include instructions for jump­ starting the car, and these should be followed. But if no instructions are included or the manual is lost, THE ALL NEW MAZDA 4X4 4-WHEELIAT ENJOYMENT LIKE NEVER BEFORE Choose between the Regular Cab or Cab Plus models Either way you'll drive smooth in roomy comfort ‘Variable-Assist Power Steering *10.5 Inch Ground Clearance *'Overslung' High- Flex Rear Springs *Quick-Set Manual Lock Front Hubs *2.6 Litre Engine ‘Double-Wall Cargo Bed ‘One-Touch Tailgate Release ‘Tinted Glass ‘1400 Pound Pay load ‘Optional 3-Speed Automatic Trans­ mission THE BEST WARRANTY IN THE BUSINESS IF IT WASN’T TRUE WE COULDN’T SAY IT □ 5 years/100,000 km □ All major components □ No deductible □ No extra cost □ All new 1987 Mazdas delivered after January 7.1987 □ Transferable at no charge 4. Services performed other than routine maintenance, i.e. body repairsorpaint, accessories in­ stalled, etc.; 5. Insurance and/or registration information; 6. Basic part numbers and/or specifications which may not be readily found in the owner’s manual (belts, hoses, headlamps, spark plugs, filters, etc.) Most businessmen, whose vehi­ cle expenses are tax deductible, know the importance of maintain­ ing good records. For them and for others there are these additional considerations. Keeping a running record of gas purchases vs. distance driven will showadecreaseingas mileage, warning of a malfunction or need for tune-up. A log book will make you aware of abnormal oil or fluid consump­ tion, which could be the tip-off to a leak or other potential problem. there are basic instructions for doing this procedure safely. First, make sure the dead battery and the one being used as a booster are the same voltage. Most cars today have 12 volt batteries, but check anyway just to be sure. Position the cars so the jumper cables will reach both batteries, but do not allow the cars to touch one another. If they touch, they will ground one another and jump­ starting could damage wiring in the cars. Both cars should be in park or neutral gear with the parking brake set. The radio and all other accessories should be turned off. Do not smoke when jump­ starting; the fire could set off hydrogen gas released by some batteries. Check the batteries for their polarity. The positive side usually It also serves as a reminder that the vehicle is overdue for an oil and filter change, transmission service or other important maintenance. When it’s time to sell or trade, this kind of documentation can make a substantial difference in the vehicle’s sales appeal. A used car buyer likes to know what maintenance has been done and when. In case of mechanical trouble, especially with an older vehicle, it may be useful to report to a mechanic exactly what work has been done. Ifyour’s is an import car, you may want to jot down not only the original numbers for basic parts but also the conversion numbers from among the readily available domestic brands. This can be a big time saver when a crisis occurs far from a major source of auto parts. Acquiring the logging habit can pay big dividends. is identified by a red color, a plus sign or a P, Pos or Positive. The negative side is marked by a black color, minus sign or N, Neg or Negative. First connect one jumper cable to the two positve battery termi­ nals. Then connect one end of the other cable to the negative termi­ nal of the good battery. The other end of that cable can be connected either to the negative terminal of the dead battery or to theengineblockofthe installed car - the engine block connection will avoid causing any sparks around the battery. First start the car with the good battery, then the one with the dead battery. Once both cars are running, disconnect the negative cable first, then the positive one - being careful to avoid moving engine parts such as belts and fans. We Specialize in Collision and Refinishing Classic & Antique Car Repairs Bus. 887-6833 BRUSSELS Res. 887-921 6 Ontario M-W MOTORS LTD 184 EAST ST., GODERICH 824-2119 Sales, Service, Parts, Leasing