The Citizen, 2005-10-27, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2005.
on the road
Healthy wiper blades a must for winter driving
Getting caught on the road in a
torrential summer downpour is
unnerving at the best of times. But
when your windshield wipers are
wonky, it can be downright
dangerous.
And if you’re driving in winter,
road muck and melting snow can
quickly coat your windshield in a
layer of grime You need a healthy
set ot wiper blades (and a good
supply of windshield washer fluid)
to carve through the grime and
expose the road.
So, keeping your wipers in top
shape year-round is important. In
fact. Car Care Canada recommends
that you change your wiper blades
twice a year—once in the spring and
once in the fall.
Just as you can buy seasonal
washer fluid so too can you buy
seasonal wiper blades. Winter blades
typically come wrapped in rubber to
protect the wiper’s pivot points from
caking with ice or snow. This build
up can cause the blades to stiffen and
scrape unevenly across your
windshield, leaving streaks and
reducing visibility. Winter blades
also come with rubber that performs
better in cold weather, helping the
blade make good contact with the
windshield to keep it clean.
Winters are tough on your wiper
blades, but so are summers. The hot
sun can bake the rubber inserts
leaving blades brittle and
ineffective. So how do you know if
you should change your wiper
blades?
Look for these signs:
• Cracked or split rubber: often
caused by the sun’s rays
• Pitted, scarred, or discoloured
rubber: typically caused by salt
removing chemicals
• Torn rubber—when the rubber
insert pulls away from the arm and
flops loose against the windshield:
often caused by aging or use during
icy conditions
• Chattering or sqdeaking: usually
caused by blades warped from
infrequent use or exposure to
strong sunlight; the blades form to
their own arc. not necessarily the
contour of your windshield
should get a good six months from
your new blades. And the best part is
that you'll be able to see the road,
even when the rain falls or the snow
flies.
For more tips on safe winter
driving visit Car Care Canada’s
website at www.carcarecanada.ca
Keep tootsies toasty
in car this winter
• Worn rubber: old blades will have
rounded or ragged edges and will
not clean properly
• Windshield streaking: can result
from tree sap or road tar on the
blades; from cracked, inflexible
rubber; or from blades clogged
with snow or ice
Fortunately, changing your wiper
blades is relatively simple. Start by
looking up your vehicle's make and
model in the reference manuals
where blades are sold. The manual
will tell you what model to purchase
for your car. Different car
manufacturers use different
mechanisms to affix w iper blades, so
you may be able to simply snap the
wiper onto a nib on the wiper arm. or
you may have to insert adapters into
your blades first. In some cases,
you'il be able to replace just the
rubber inserts, not the entire wiper
arm, a convenience that can save
you money and installation time.
Either way. when you're done, you
If your car heater packs it in this
winter, you’ll have to entomb
yourself in extra clothing and
blankets to keep even partially
warm. Then you’ll have to hope that
your chattering teeth don’t dislodge
your dental fillings.
You’re far better off to avoid car
heater problems in the first place
says Car Care Canada. Your best
precaution is to recognize the
symptoms that could signify
pending car-heater trouble:
• Do you hear a chirping or
screeching sound when you turn on
your car heater? This noise
suggests a worn fan-motor bearing.
Motor failure will quickly follow.
• Is youi dashboard heater-control
lever unusually stiff? This stiffness
could be a sign of a sticky or
inoperative heater-control valve.
• Does moisture accumulate inside
your car. even with the defroster
running? If so, your car's heater
core—a miniature radiator—may
be leaking.
• Does your heating system operate
inefficiently? Heater and defroster
duct hoses carry fresh air into the
system and warmed air to locations
beyond the heater core. If these
duct hoses leak, your heater won't
efficiently warm your car or
defrost your windows.
• Does your heater blow only cold
air? A leaking heater hose (which
carries your system's antifreeze)
could be the culprit, and this
problem could strand you at the
side of the road.
A properly functioning car heater
will keep you comfortable and your
windows clear, both keys to safe
driving. So, be alert to potential
heating problems, and get them
fixed before they leave you
shivering in the cold.
PAT & HEATHER DEJONG
"FUEL INJECTION SYSTEMS"
Servicing Diesel Pumps and Injectors
Cleaning and Flow Testing Gasoline Injectors
Turbo Charger Service
Alternator and Starter Service
On Site Service Available
Highway #4 South
CLINTON
Web:
huronfuelinjection.com
Complete Car
Cleaning
& More
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WASH & WAX
$5995
- Hand Wash - Hand Dry
- Premium Wax, including door edges & trunk edges
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✓
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✓
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✓
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Inspect drive belt condition (excludes timing belt)
Inspect distributor cap, rotor (if applicable)
and wires
Inspect windshield wiper, washer jets and blades
Washer fluid top-up
Inspect exhaust system
Inspect springs and shock absorbers
Inspect all lights and bulbs
Inspect and lubricate door locks,
latches and handles
Inspect block heater cord
Oil and filter change and check for fluid leaks
Battery load / charging test
Inspect coolant level and freezing point
Pressure test cooling system, inspect related
hoses and clamps
Inspect all brakes for wear % and condition
Inspect brake calipers, wheel cylinders
and parking brake
Inspect tire wear and pressure
Tire rotation
Inspect transmission fluid level, power steering
fluid level (if applicable), brake fluid level,
clutch fluid level (if applicable)
For peak performance this winter, don’t open your
hood to strangers. Bring your vehicle home to Honda
for a comprehensive multi-point inspection, plus a
Genuine Honda oil and filter change.
k. th
GENUINE HONDA ,
FALL/WINTER PERFORMANCE PACKAGE
O°'’$£088*
STEEL WHEEL AND WINTER TIRE PACKAGE WITH
MICHELIN X-ICE WINTER TIRES
Genuine Honda steel wheel and starling from
Michelin X-lce winter tires.
Installation and balancing included
WHEEL
ALIGNMENT
Improve steering control
and minimize abnormal
tire and chassis wear.
starting from
$fi()95*
HONDA
iwSTIRE SOURCE
Have you checked your
tires lately?
Slippery winter roads are not the place to
be driving on worn-out or sub-standard
tires. Play it safe with a free lire
inspection at your Honda Dealership. As
your source for all your tire needs, your
Dealer offers major brand name tires,
installation and balancing by factory
trained Honda technicians, plus great
everyday pricing. With this expertise and
convenience, why take your Honda
anywhere else?
rOPEN 17J
jkDAYS!J
$650^
IV/th purchase of
4 Michelin X-lce Tires
ends October 28, 2005
Receive $50
gift card
* Available for most Honda models Taxes not included Provincial environmental fees, if any. excluded Dealer may sell lor less See your Honda Dealer for full details All prices valid at
participating Dealers from September 15. 2005 to January 15. 2006
Call for an
appointment
357-3495
125 Josephine Street • Wingham, Ontario
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( ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 268 Bayfield Rd., GoderichGoderich Honda 524-2131
www.goderichhonda.com HONDA