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Times Advocate, 1993-10-27, Page 11Times -Advocate, October 27,1993 Caring for 'car tires Mega elbir • Check tire pressure, including the spare, at least once a month, as welt as before long trips and at the onset of winter weather • Check tire pressure when tires are cold to the touch • Remove stones, gravel or other debris stuck in the tread • Regularly inspect tire tread and sidewalis for cuts, splits, bruises, as well as uneven wear. Cuts and splits must be repaired. • Have tires rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 mites • Replace bent or damaged wheels • Follow tire and vehicle weight specifications to prevent overloading • Have suspension and steering systems checked regularly • Avoid fast starts, hard turns and screeching halts • Park carefully to avoid denting wheels or scuffing sidewalis on curbstones 1 he National Institute Tfor Automotive Ser- vice Excellence (ASE), a non-profit organization which administers national certi- fication tests to automotive tech- nicians, offers the following tips to help you get ready for winter driving: Some are a cinch, others re- quire the skilled hands of a pro- fessional auto technician. 1. Getting Started: All driv- ers, even those who never tum a wrench, should start by reading the owner's manual and becom- ing familiar with the basic ve- hicular systems. Motorists will be happily surprised to learn that the manufacturer has pro- vided numerous useful tips on driving, safety and maintenance. The recommended service schedules should be followed: 2. General cleaning/main- tenance: Autumn is the perfect time to apply a protective coat of wax or polish. Inspect all lights and replace bumed out bulbs. Replace worn wiper blades - summer's dust and in- sects are tough on them - and make certain you have plenty of washer fluid to fight road salts and grime. Carry emergency gear such as gloves, boots, blan- kets, flares, a flashlight, etc. 3. Battery: The battery is called on to work very hard in cold weather (hard starts in the mornings, increased use of r:blwu�• :er, etc.) but as temperatures • drop so does the cranking power of most batteries. Battery failure is a typical cold -weather prob- lem. The only accurate way to for preparation detect a weak battery is with the professional equipment availa- ble at good repair shops. Most people, though, can perform routine care: Scrape away corro- sion from posts and cable con- nections; clean all surfaces; re - tighten all connections. Wear eye protection and rubber gloves to avoid con- tact with the corro- sive depos- its and acid. 4. En- gine oil: The oil change is one of the most vital mainte- nance tasks, yet it is one of the most neglected. The oil and fil- ter should be changed as speci- fied in your owners manual - more often (every 3,000 miles), if you do a lot of stop -and -go driving, carry heavy loads or drive long distances. 5. Cooling system: To help prevent radiator freeze -ups and/ or overheating, the cooling sys- tem should be completely flushed and refilled about every 24 months. The level, condition and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically. Never remove the radiator cap noticed engine driveability prob- lems such as rough idling, hard starts, stalling, and diminished power during the summer, by all means get them corrected now before harsh weather sets in. The air, fuel and PVC filters should be replaced according to the manufacturer's recommenda- tions. 7. Hearer/defroster: For you comfort and safety, the heater and defroster should be in good working condition. To prevent potentially deadly fumes from entering you vehicle, have your exhaust system examined for leaks and the under body (and trunk) inspected for small holes. 8. Tires: Balding tires are a safety hazard and of little use in snow and slush. Tires should be rotated about every 5,000 miles. The air pressure should be checked once a month - let the tires cool down' first. Check the sidewalls for nicks and cuts. Ex- amine tires for tread life, uneven wearing, and cupping. 9. Brakes: Regular mainte- nance will extend the life of your brakes and will prevent more costly repairs due to ne- glect. Brakes should be inspect- ed as recommended by your manual, or sooner if you notice pulsations, grabbing, noises, or longer stopping distances. 10. Finding good auto service: until the engine has cooled A repair shop is only as good as PerY. down. A 50/50 mix of anti- the technicians who work there. freeze and water is usually rec- An increasingly popular way to MIIMERIVETTTIlettrans and „rQ,. - condition of drive belts, clamps, of individual technicians is to and hoses should be checked by look for certification. a pro. 6. Engine performance: If you Page 11 Preparing for winter driving t this time of year Ca- nadians start thinking about Old Man Win- ter descending upon the land. The cold season prompts im- ages of heavy snowfalls, icy road conditions and wind-swept drifts just begging to trap a car or two. Although this scene is repeat- ed year after year, it is surpris- ing to discover how few people prepare themselves for winter driving. There are certain steps motorists can take to ease the worries of winter driving. Following are somd tips driv- ers can follow: • You should begin by giving your car a tune-up. This could include changing to a light- weight motor oil, as heavy oil can get thick in the winter (which makes it harder for the engin to tum over). • It Is wise to put on your snow tires before the first snow- fall. Beat the rush. • If your car does not have a rear defroster, get one installed. • It is also wise to carry an emergency winter driving kit. This could include a flashlight, flares and blanket, a shovel, booster cables, matches, a can- dle, traction pads, a chocolate bar or two and a scraper. • Take a few minutes in the morning before leaving home to clear ice and snow off all win- dows of your car, as well as the outside mirror, if any. Don't be a "peep -hole" driver. • If your street looks slippery, test it by depressing the brake lightly making sure first that there are no other cars close to yours. • Take special care when ap- proaching an intersection. The stop and go traffic there may make the road surface very slip - Exeter Chrysler P resents FM STAR SERVICE © CHRTSLERANI MIN) TECHNICIANS The people who Ireeorylsur>rtrasier Caaida Weide best! 0 MOPAR REPLACEMENT PARTS The coir ports apprrtrtd by tier ew�irJeers! COMMITTED TO YOUR CONVENIENCE Wt respect and wive your !Bone! 0 COURTEOUS ATTENTION We think you and a pssels %t! © COMPETITiIVE Five Star Sonic. at auMlidilMisss! LUBE, OIL AND FILtER Efrtbapor CIISTI)IVF. CAR400 1 OUR FIVE 99* inctadt�: • Up to 51.or Mope Premium Oil and kilter • 1 5 point inspection STAR GUARANTEE* "READY MIN PROMISED ... OR. YOU DON`T RAY! SI • Applicable be *est wgeles canesla veMidss. See •-i reader ler • CHRYSLER o PLYMOUTH o DODGE 0 DODGE TRUCK o JEEP 0 EAGLE EXETER CHRYSLER LTD. 136 Main St. N. Exeter Ont. • 235.1525 se... ..m. • Maintain a longer -than - normal distance between your car and others. This will help minimize the chance of colli- sions in case of sudden stops. • Tum slowly on wet and slick areas. • Look out for icy patches on overpasses, bridges and hills. These areas freeze quickly, usu- ally before other road surfaces. • If your car starts to skid, steer in the direction the car is headed. Take your foot off the accelerator. Don't start braking until the car has slowed and you have regained control. • Be especially careful when braking or accelerating at dusk or dawn, when streets and roads are often the iciest. • A winter survival kit in each car ought to include: at least one pair of gloves ( in case the driv- er has to do some digging out); flares, matches and a flashlight (with fresh batteries); battery jumper cables ( which can be dangerous unless used proper- ly); screwdriver and adjustable pliers; heavy wool blanket; an ice scraper, and rock salt; sand or gravel (to add weight to the rear of your car for traction and to put under the tires if you arc bogged down in the snow. S Straight Line tr. Collision Don't forget to lubricate your door locks and handles from the inside. It's just a little prevention so you don't get locked out of your own car in the cold of winter. ,-res •*Ns Mi�'� ? -'-`711111 a _ O We'd like the opportunity to gain your confidence 4 miles South of Exeter on #4 Hwy. 228-6114 Don Stuckless EXETER TOYOTA DO` '1 GET CAi +GHT COLD. Why not bring your Toyota in txlay so we can dram and refill your cooling system? TOYOTA QUALITY COOLING SYSTEM MAINTENANCE • P, cure Mss the coring system • inspect ser hoses. wow pump. drive belt,. and radnla • Drain, system and install Toyota lona Me 000iart for winter and summer proMCYon •Idlia$48" lei;o• 1I0140111etm... 3,. IMO Gumboots a ralpaa Service where weary iva gest att.m Baler bring your Toyota in today to have your brakes checked TOYOTA QUALITY MINT OR REAR Mg REPLACEMENT • Pal. genuine Toyota disc pals or !rhos ncwdnp aye necessary hardware • Cason 6lubricate cahpen Incitingpistils • iwp.ct tows and Ines • Reediest 209888 400 Numb. OI. 1w Geoa.Me a to Toyese,Servlcs where 4whhty dggega cost abort. TOYOTA QUALITY SERVICE WHAT YOU DONT KNOW CAN HURT YO Why nut bring your Toyota in today tor our written... TOYOTA QUALITY 55 POINT INSPECTION • 7 paint nod lest • 12 point eleceiesl check -u' •6 point isle= ch ck. p • 11 point 'an heist' iupeMon. • 6 twit body rnIpeceon. • 13 port engine comelebe m nspecion AI Tames Meade $988 Genie horse to T.ySa Service where quakry gagarit cast swaft. TOYOTA TROUBLE . l"PING STARTED 'I'1II MORNING.? Why not hung your Toyota in tnlav lar charging system analysis' TOYOTA QUALITY CHARGING SYSTEM ANALYSIS • Load test battery. starter, and charging system • Goan and inspect banery cables and conneckons • Check battery electrolyte travel and speak gravity 418" _Old our Doorpr 31. Ha COM /6r.l*UNA•Sotwor*Imre estellsyjesisa ewe agate We service all makes and will honour these specials to all makes * Some restrictions may apply to brake -special 10% Seniors Discount on parts and labour Rickfrare--- 1:ET TOYOTA 242 Main St. N.. Exeter, Ontario NOM 13 (519) 235-2353 • 1-800-361-0677 Calc Bruce Hodge for appointment today