‘* AVOID DISASTER Listen to your WHEN YOU are driving, things can go wrong with your car suddenly — without warning. Your tire, perfectly good a second before, blows out. Or a headlight suddenly chooses that moment to burn out. Fortunately, your brakes —~ your car’s most important safety system -— let you know when trouble is brewing. Your brakes have a way of warning you by telltale signs, sounds and sensations that all is not right. By DIANE BENTLEY | What you can see Is the brake warning light on the dash lit? This may mean your parking brake is on. If you drive with the park- ing brake engaged, you'll wear out the brake linings on your rear wheels much faster — and also waste gasoline. Everyone has driven off, at least once, with their parking brake left off. Next time, check your parking brake and make sure it's released. More important, the red light may signal a failure in the hydraulic system which serves two of the wheels, and only the brakes on the other two wheels are working. If that happens drive cautiously to a garage and have the system checked out. ‘If you notice leaking fluid on the inner sidewall of a tire, that could mean you have a leak in the wheel cylinder. Have it repaired as soon as you can, if that’s the case. What you can hear Do you hear something squealing or grinding? If you hear a metallic squeal or grin- rakes ding noise when the brakes are applied (and sometimes when they’re not), your brake fin- ings or pads might be worn io the point where the metal shoe is rubbing against the metal drum. It could also be caused by a warning device on some disc brakes that emits a squeal (like a fingernail on a blackboard) when the brake pads are worn and need to be teplaced, In either case, it is time to have your brakes checked out. What about a scraping noise? If the brakes scem to Scrape all the time, they pro- bably do not completely disengage and are dragging on the rotating drum, maybe because of a broken spring. Be sure you have the spring* replaced because it will wear out the lining if you don’t. If you hear a scraping sound only when you stop, the linings may already be worn out. Have it checked out im- mediately because not replac- ing the old linings may result in scoring of drums or discs, What you can feel Do your brakes ever feel mushy or spongy? Your brake fluid may be low, or you may have air bubbles in the brake lines. Your car’s brakes should always have a solid feel when you apply them; mushy brakes call for immediate attention. A brake pedal that travels too far when applied requires a check-up and possibly ad- Justment is needed. A brake pedal should go no more than half-way to the floor; any far- ther needs investigating. Hf your brakes grab or pull to one side that might indicate a grease seal or brake cylinder leaking on a brake shoe. If the oil or grease has not soaked in- to the linings, it can be wiped off. But usually it penetrates far enough to affect braking. If it has reached that point, the linings on both corresponding wheels will have tobe replaced. Other possible causes of a car pulling to one side: front wheels need aligning; a defec- tive wheel cylinder needs replacing; or brakes only need adjusting to equalize braking action. A thumping or vibrating sensation against the bottom of your foot when the brakes ate applied could msan a warped brake disc or a brake drum out of round, ‘New Car Dealer offers the — Perfect Second - Car! The North-Shores newest | dealership “Vancouver European. Autoworld Inc." now open. They have the exclusive dealership for the “Skoda” automobiles. “Skoda” markets a five passenger European sport-sedan, the result of over ninety years of carbuilding history. The makers of “Skoda” have never forgotten quality workmanship and good - service and have been proving this by winning ‘the British Rally Racing Championship. for the -last 10. years, making it one of the most vutstanding rally-cars in the world. : The 1985 Skoda 120 GLS comes with over 45 Standard features, such as anti-corrosion treatment that is guaranteed for 5 years, fully independent suspension, ‘front air dam, rear. deck spoiler. velour upholstery, power assisted brakes, light touch rack and pinion steering, rear and side window defrosters, reclining seats, and halogen headlights, plus stringent safety features like high impact front end, durable steel! reinforced bumpers, dual cylinder gerling brakes, warning light for the brake- systern, protected fuel tank, safety steering column, rear shoulder seatbelts, etc. The professionals at Vancouver European Autoworld are there to answer all your questions and to introduce you to the full line of “Skoda” automobiles. The Skoda line starts as low as $4,998*-up to $6,990 for the top model. For their opening special, Vancouver European Autoworld offers a 5 year or 80,000 km _extended warranty included in the sale price. Parts for the “Skoda” line are avaliable at over 50 dealers from coast to coast and Vancouver European Autoworld is especially proud to provide you with a “one stop shop” for complete service, mechanical or bodywork and painting, inel. all 1.C.B.C. work. Call today at 987-5000 or visit the new showroom at 1389 Main Street, North Vancouver, open Mon.-Fri. 9-8, Sat. 9-6, Sun. 4 Starting from The quality car from Europe. Europe’s Rally Winner °* Manufacturers suggested list price (plus P.D.I. freight, “4 tax & licence) dealer may sell for tess. The SKODA Commuter is the best value on the road today, Case in point. ¢ Door to door carpeting * Reclining front seats © Daily trip meter ; * Lockable gas cap © Child-proof door locks @ Full flow-through ventilation e Arm rests on all four doors * Coast-to-coast parts and service network ® independent suspension * A roomy four door sedan * Rack and pinion steering ® Servo assisted brakes © Steel belted radial tires e Quartz/halogen headlamps * Front and rear spoilers ® Rear mud flaps e Shoulder type seat belts front and rear * Fold down rear seats ¢ Special offer 5 year warranty | ; ° 45 mpg or better Place your Order for the new 86 SKODA’S NOW! Arriving Jan. 86. Come Experience SKODA “The PERFECT Second Car” Established since 1894 Advertisement pote at