Clinton News-Record, 1984-10-31, Page 41FALL CAR CARE GUIDE—Page 10
Tuneupfor winter now
Many motorists wait until the first cold
snapto winterize their automobiles. The
result is usually a frantic phone call to their
local service station mechanic, who by this
time, is already deluged with time consum-
ing road calls for dead batteries, frozen
radiatorsand various ignitionaihnents.
Easy -to -perform tune-up
To make sure your car will start when. it's
10 below zero, an easy -to -perform winteriz-
ing tune-up for your car's cooling system
will take care of the cause of many of these
annoyances.
1) Check the following for evidence of
coolant leakage; upper and lower radiator
hoses, heater core and hoses, cylinder
heads, water pump, radiator and all drain
plugs. A quality stop -leak solution may plug
some of the minor holes in metal parts.
Hose examination
2) Examine all hoses (coolant, heater,
bypass, fuel line, power steering and air
conditioning) for swelling, soft spots,
cracks, a partially collapsed condition, cuts
and general deterioration. Replace as
necessary. If hoses are more than four
years old, replace them regardless of visual
condition.
3) Tighten all hose clamps. Replace those
which can't be adequately tightened, or that
show corrosion.
4) Check all V -belts for wear on bottom
and sides. Pay -particular attention to the
alternator drive. Replace or retension as
necessary. If belts are more than four years
old, replace them regardless of visual condi-
tion.
5) Check coolant for rust. Flush entire
system if necessary. Drain and refill with
fresh coolant of 5050 water and anti -freeze.
If coolant is less than two years old and
isn't going to be replaced, check it for
strength, and; add as necessary for needed
protection.
6) Inspect the condition of the radiator
cap, gasket and spring. Check the radiator
filler neck for nicks that could lead to a
pressure loss.
7) Clean bugs, leaves, paper and other
foreign matter off the front of the radiator.
Remove by blowing out with high pressure
air or water.
8) Check the condition of the radiator
overflow tube or hose, and make sure it has
a good connection to the radiator.
The final step
9) After the cooling system has been in-
spected and serviced, remove the radiator
cap and start the engine.
If the coolant begins to circulate im-
mediately, or if after you have reinstalled
the cap, the upper radiator does not feel like
it's conveying warm coolant, the thermostat
will need replacing.
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Change belts after four years
Almost half of all motorists have never
replaced the cooling system V -belts on their
cars.
Of those who have, the majority did so
when the belts were at or near failure, which
is normally in about five years.
Based. on these national survey results,
and the fact that belt failure goes up sharply
as the car approaches its fifth year, it is
recommended that belts on four-year-old
cars be replaced.
First, the dramatic decline in the number
of full-service gas stations has resulted in
fewer mechanics to advise car owners
when to change their belts.
Second, there has been a significant
change in the construction of modern
automotive V -belts.
Because of fewer full service gas stations
and the increase of gas -only outlets, under -
the -hood maintenance is being neglected.
The company estimates that fewer than one
in four car owners is changing his belts on a
routine preventive maintenance basis. In
the majority of cases, the major reason for
replacement is because the belt is at or near
failure.
To avoid inconvenience on the highway or.
costly towing and repair charges, the com-
pany feels car owners must adopt new
maintenance habits and change V -belts
before they fail.
The second reason for recommending
regular replacement — modern handless
belt construction has removed the tradi-
tional wear indicator..
When belts were made with the "banded"
construction, they had a fabric cover that in-
dicated wear and possible failure. Modern
"handless" belts don't have a fabric cover,.
however, so they don't readily show ,the ef-
fects of higher r.p.m. engines, smaller and
hotter engine compartments, and natural
deterioration.
Most ear owners, and even professional
mechanics, may not be able to predict belt
failure by appearance alone. Very often the
belt appears to be in good shape just before
it breaks.
New thoughts on car sickness
Beyond the traditional over-the-counter
cures for car sickness, an additional preven-
tive measure can be taken. It's a matter of
vehicle maintenance, says Car Care Coun-
cil, who claim a car in poor repair can in-
duce car sickness in its driver and
passengers.
Noxious fumes
The most serious form of car sickness
results from carbon monoxide poisoning. An
odorless, colorless and invisible gas, carbon
monoxide is in the exhaust that comes out of
the vehicle's tail pipe. If the system is leak-
ing, usually signalled by the rumbling or
roar of unmuffled exhaust, these fumes can
seep into the car.
Even a small amount of carbon monoxide
is enough to make the occupants drowsy and
nauseous. In sufficient quantity, it is lethal.
Keep windows at least partly open on a
car with , leaking ' exhaust, , the C®WneiL,
I. J11'1J1 II I J' • .' \..1 •� .. •i :�
recommends, and replace leaking parts as
soon as possible.
Bumpy ride
Car sickness also can be brought about by
a floating or bobbing ride, caused by worn
shock absorbers. This motion becomes ex-
aggerated by weaving or zig-zagging due to
loose steering parts.
Distraction caused by squeaking, chatter-
ing windshield wipers combined withim-
paired vision due to ineffective wiper action
can have an adverse effect on a person's
ability to drive safely.
The added handicaps of inoperative or im-
properly adjusted headlights plus the an-
noyances of thumping tires or rattles can af-
fect a driver's stamina and judgment.
Your car and .you
Says Car Care Council, "Your car is an
extension of yourself. For driving safety and
comfort, keep your car in shape and it will
helpkeep you in shape.," , , ;
J , I ' 4.