23 - Friday, April 7, 1989 - North Shore News ' Good handling is essential YOU DON’T have to be a racer on the Grand Prix circuit to appreci- ate the importance of what car buffs call good handling. That’s because accident preven- tion, minimizing wear and tear on your vehicle and fuel economy, are not the exclusive concerns of com- petitive drivers. Good handling means your car isn't fishtailing around corners or drifting around bends, and doesn’t bottom out over railway tracks. Neither is it hydro-planing on wet pavement, nor constantly pulling either to the left or the right on a straightaway. ‘ Good handling is sure-footed braking, wobble-free acceleration, and driving with confidence that brakes, tires and shock absorbers are in top shape. Of course, handling depends on other things, too — like speed, road and weather conditions; steering, load weight, and distribu- tion, which depend on your good judgment as a driver. But your car also has to make adjustments to driving conditions. Imagine, for a moment, that you're driving on an icy road with lots of twists and turns, and that you've placed on the dashboard a glass full of water. If your brakes, shocks, or tires aren’t working properly, you won’t get very far along that road before the water spills. How would you correct these car handling problems? First, have your technician put your car on the hoist and give brakes, shocks, and tires the once-over. He’ll be look- ing for brake wear and brake fluid condition and level in the master cylinder. Since it’s easy to damage the wire bail that keeps the cylinder cap in place —- thus destroying the air-tight seal that keeps dust and grime from gumming up the brake line — leave replenishing your brake fluid to your technician. As their name suggests, shock absorbers cushion the road pum- meling your springs, suspension, and steering linkage. The desired result is a stable, more comfortable ride. Shocks also improve traction, braking, and fuel economy. Under normal conditions, they last about 28,000 km _ before ENGINE TUNE-UP SPECIAL Install new spark plugs. Check plug wires, distributor, cap, rotor, coil, P.C.V. vaive, belts, hoses, air filter and battery. Adjust timing and idler. | $3995 $4,995 4 CYL. 6 CYL. 359% 8 CYL. PRICES INCLUDE PLUGS AND ARE IN EFFECT UNTIL APRIL 29 / 89 FOR MOST CARS/LIGHT TRUCKS «? NORTH VAN SHELL ielend 988-1616 Tae yoncouver 988-4050 for car needing replacement. Since they tend to wear out gradually, many people don’t realize that their shocks’ ability to cushion and stabilize the ride progressively deteriorates. Your technician can quickly recognize the tell-tale signs of shock absorber deterioration: Oil fluid bleeding from the shock, uneven tire wear, and obvious structural damage. Be sure to tell him if you've been experiencing sideslip as you round a bend, or try the bounce test — where you bounce each corner of the car and instead of bouncing one to 1% times, you car keeps bouncing. As well as being properly in- flated and balanced, the tires on most vehicles require rotation about every 7,000 km. The rota- tion cycle is outlined in your owner’s manual. By following these steps, your chances of spilling that imaginary ‘giass of water will have substan- tially decreased. 1987 CABRIOLET (DEMO) § REPLACEMENT $83,718 BRAND NEW 1989 DEALER SUG. PRICE $47,563 °37,9 NOW 9.9% financing offer available on all new and unused 1989 and prior model year cars purchased from dealer inventory from March 14, 1989 through the close of business April 8, 7989. Offer valid on retail purchases only. Factory orders, fleet orders and retail lease orders are ineligible for this offer. The buyer will be reponsible for the payment of applicable taxes, including federal excise tax, licence and applicable freight charges at the time of the transaction. Offer available onty to qualified retail buyers financing their purchases through GMAC up to a maximum 48 month financing contract. EXAMPLE: For $15,000 financed 48 months at 9.9% APR. the monthly payment is $379.71 The cost of borrowing is $3,226.08 on approved credit. Ail credit applications will be subject ta approval by GMAC.See your dealer for details. This offer applies up to the full purchase/amount of the vehicle. | HOME OF THE “WHITE GLOVE” SERVICE FULLY EQUIPPED BODY SHOP FOR ALL MAKES & MODELS ICBC CLAIMS —- COURTESY CARS AVAILABLE 680 MARINE DRIVE, WEST VANCOUVER EWS pl ote Teny Peters SALESMAN Alistar Duncan of Jim Pattison Toyota displays some of the numerous forms which are re- quired when purchasing a car. He recently spoke to Sentinel students about the details of Duying 2 car. YOU COULD FINANCE $20,000 @ $506.29 MO. SAVES2,954 $30,000 @ $754.44 MO. SAVESA,429 $40,000 @ $1,012.58 MO.SAVESS,903 BRAND NEW 1989 DEALER SUG. PRICE $41,731 *38,2 BRAND NEW 1989 DEALER "s PRICE $50,567 45,80 NOW NOW PONTIAC BUICK CADILLAC 2-4111.