Clinton News-Record, 1984-10-31, Page 39Tune-up your knowledge of what's under the hood
Car buffs of yesteryear will remember
those good old days when points, plugs and
condenser were considered "chicken soup"
for most ailing engines. Today we have
much more sophisticated electronic ignition
systems, computerized controls and
monitors that do virtually everything in-
cluding step on the gas.
Yet, some things, while vastly improved,
continue as the mainstays of the ignition
system, including the distributor, spark
plugs and wiring in between. Most cars still
have carburetors and we have more filters
than ever before to protect these systems.
Car Care Council offers this tune-up quiz
for those who believe they know something
about what's going on under the hood.
1. One of the more common problems that
can turn up a diagnostic engine check is a
cracked distributor cap. This condition can
cause:
a) spark plug misfiring
b) bad gas mileage
c) starting trouble in cold weather
2. An excessively dirty air filter can cause
the fuel/air mixture to become:
a) too rich
b) too lean (not enough air)
c) contaminated
Car care quiz:
3. A gasoline filter should be replaced:
a) when the engine gets a tune-up
b) each spring and fall
c) never, because it's a lifetime part
4. Engine run-on or dieseling after the
engine is shut off is often caused by:
a) incorrect timing
b) lean carburetor adjustment
c) idle speed set too fast
5. Thick, black smoke from the tailpipe in-
dicates a possible problem in:
a) the choke mechanism
b) the carburetor
c) the distributor points
6. A hard starting problem when the
engine is warm could be due to:
a) wor-n fuel pump
b) poor vacuum advance
c) leaky inlet valve in the carburetor
7. An engine that knocks or "pings'' when
accelerating, even with the correct grade of
gasoline, may need:
a) professional diagnosis
b) radiator service
c) timing adjustment
8. If your car has electronic ignition you'll
never have to worry about replacing these
items as part of a tune-up:
a) distributor cap
How much do you know?
Car' troubles can be deceiving. It often
takes an astute, well equipped technician to
track down the real culprit when a problem
arises. Try your hand at trouble shooting
with this quiz, prepared by the Car Care
Council.
In each case all but one answer is cor-
rect.
1. If the tread on your tires is wearing
unevenly, it could be because...
A) Your tire pressure is incorrect
B) Your car has binding ball joints
C) Your car's frame is out of line
D) You've got a sagging spring
E) Your wheels need aligning
F) Your wheels are out of balance
2. If your turn signal doesn't flash properly,
the reason could be...
A) A burned -out bulb
B) A bad connection
C) A burned -out fuse
D) Your flasher does not work
E) Ignition switch is defective
F) A defective turn signal switch
3. The reasons your car may be a gas -eater
are...
A) Low tire pressure
B) Dirty caruburetor air filter
C) Improper brake adjustment
D) Your engine needs a tune-up
E) Incorrect fan belt tension
F) Worn piston rings or valves
4. The reasons your brakes may grab or pull
are..
A) You ride the brake pedal
B) There's oil on your brake linings
C) Tire pressure is wrong
D) Faulty wheel cylinder
E) Restriction in brake hose
F) Incorrect wheel alignment
5. A battery goes dead because...
A) Of old age
B) The alternator has failed
C) You run it down with the starter
D) The alternator belt is loose
E) Of a short circuit
F) You drive too fast too long
Answers to car care quiz
„A„ lnq I[v .g
<<v„ lnq uv 'll
H„ lnq try •E
„a„ 1nq liv'Z
„Et„ lnq iiv
Stuck in snow, now what?
by Paul Jacot
Soon all Canadians will be faced with
winter driving conditions. In some parts of
the country, these conditions are
"bearable";. in others, it becomes a matter
of survival.
Shell Canada car care experts have set
out a few basic procedures to help you get
out of that six-foot snowbank.
It is always best to 'be well prepared
before you get stuck. If you carry a few
items in the trunk of your car, it will help
you greatly in your task to free you car. This
kit could include a flashlight, flares, mat-
ches, a candle, a shovel, booster cables,
traction pads, a chocolate bar or two and a
scraper. These items will ensure your safety
and will also enable you to tackle whatever
winter throws your way.
If you do happen to get stuck, start by dig-
ging the snow away from all wheels. Then,
position the traction pads (or an old piece of
carpet) under the drive wheels: Make sure
that the front wheels are straight and try to
move the car in low gear.
Start to rock tilg car hack and forth to,give,
you momentum to get out. If you car is
automatic, brake when shifting from one
gear to the other. Throwing the car quickly
from reverse to drive and back again can
seriously damage your transmission.
If you still cannot get out, try to be as visi-
ble as possible. Put on the car's emergency
flashers, set up a flare, or place a warning
light/on the top of the car. If the traffic is
heaizy, stay in your car. More often than not,
someone will stop and help you out.
If you are trapped inside the car, run the
engine for ten minutes every hour. You will
be warm enough, while keeping your bat-
tery charged and conserving gasoline at the
same time.
Always keep a window partly open for air
and make sure that the exhaust pipe is clear
of snow at all times. Otherwise, deadly ex-
haust fumes can back up into the inside of
your car.
These tips will allow you to prepare
yourself for the worst of winter driving con-
ditions and also keep your passengers safe
And V I.
b) condenser
c) spark plugs
9. Surging, rough idling and slight bogs on
acceleration indicate:
a) carburetor out of adjustment
b) engine timing problem
c) vacuum leak
10. When the engine is hard to start or runs
rough in damp weather it indicates the
possible need of :
a) new ignition wiring
b) a choke adjustment
c) a new distributor rotor
Answers to tune-up quiz
1. All are correct. A crack " in the
distributor cap can cause misfiring which
leads to wasted fuel and hard starting. Often
the engine will not start at all.
2. a) too rich, because the dirt in the air
filter blocks off the passage of air.
3. a) when the engine gets a tune-up.
4. All are correct. A properly tuned engine
should not diesel or run-on after the ignition
is shut off.
5. a) The choke mechanism and b) the
carburetor are correct. Black exhaust
smoke indicates wasted gas and will lead to
fouled spark plugs.
6. c) leaky inlet valve in the carburetor.
Page 9 —FALL CAR CARE GUIDE
This usually leads to the annoying condition
known as "flooding."
7. All are correct. If adjusting timing does
not correct a knocking or pinging condition,
a careful diagnosis may be necessary. This
condition also may be caused by an
overheated engine.
8. b) condenser. Points and condenser are
among the components no longer found on
newer cars with electronic ignition systems.
There are numerous other components in
the state-of-the-art ignition and fuel systems
of today's cars that require checking and
adjustment as part of regular tune-up ser-
vice.
9. c) vacuum leak. This is another case for
accurate engine diagnosis.
10. a) new ignition wiring and/or c) a new
distributor may correct engine balkiness in
damp weather.
Car Care Council says eight to 10 correct
is excellent. Classify yourself as a super -
buff.
Five to eight correct is not too bad. But
consider brushing up.
Below five? Don't be discouraged, says
Car Care Council. The fact that you were in-
terested enough to take the quiz indicates
you're above average.
WESPECIALIZE IN:
COMPLETE CAR
CARE..
HAUGH
j��TIRE AND
1 MUFFLER SUPPLY
LTD.
In Cllnbn
Will seMiee
your ea for
all winter problems
sheadl
*FRONT-END
ALIONMENTS
*ELECTRONIC
TUNE-UP
'EXHAUST SYSTEMS
WHEEL PALANCINC
*RADS
COMPLETE DRAKE SERVICE
*COMPLETE TUNE-UP
Licenced Meclanics on
duty Come in end lei us
service VOW car,
OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK: 8:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. CLOSED AT NOON1
OPEN SATURDAYS 8:30 A.M.-12 NOON
HIGHWAY NO. 4 SOUTH OF CLINTON
482-37520.482-9796