e ready for changes Le THE CHANGE from summer to fall affects not only students returning to school, but also the way we drive. By Const. Rick Burnett Contributing Writer The days are becoming shorter it is the corfesponding increase in durkness that will require more attention from drivers. The weather will change now to where we will be driving in inclement conditions such as ratn, wind and blowing leaves, followed hy blowing snow, Yo start our fall and winter dri- ving off on the right foot, we should: Cheek all fluid levels 2 Brake: Top up if low, ST Radiator: Have your antifreeze tested to make sure it will withstand the lower temperatures. 7 Battery: No-maintenance batter- ies arent really no maintenanee. Check to make sure the fluid Don't rely on sornebody’s brother's uncle’s cousin's seat igek to make sure the fh evebls up. Lowe ediperacares bestfriend who just happens require higher elliciency. from the to ave sointcun. + Oil: A summer of driving will ing like liquid tar because of conta- minants. the boys with all the toys. sary. ; 2 Windshield washer: Refill the probably have the golden oi} look- Get a Maaco Paint Job from Change your oil if it is neces- reservoir using a liquid that will driving conditions NEWS photo Mike Waketietd ; withstand the freezing temperatures PREPARING FOR driving in winter months should include | that winter will bring. Automotive does here. Inspect all lights mspect ae YOUR NB Change windshield wipers TI] See and be seen. Darkness comes ~ Quality do Mei Expensive! iene; CLAIMS HANDLED This service "¢ offer includes: earlier and stays longer now and your lights are essential. CV If you have to buy a signal, brake or tail lamp, buy two, Chances are you will need it! © Replace any bulbs that need replecing, especially that headlight that doesn’t work on low beam, but does on high beam. Don't wait for a miracle to fix it for you. Low beam light burns out without warning, and you won't get a warning on the other low beam. iNE-U This service offer includes: A long summer of hot sun will dry out the wiper blades. and the UV rays wil) weaken the wiper blades’ efficiency. Rock chips in your windshield will cut the wiper blades leaving streaks and smears, inevitably directly in your line of vision. Check the tires and wheels Inspect your all-season tires. You’ve been driving all year on @ Adjusting timing & idle speed ¢ Inspecting spark plugs & ait filter © Inspecting disteibutor cap & rotor © [Inspecting starting & ignition systems © Inspecting external drive belts © Checking all fluid levels ® Labour to install tune-up parts © Road test vehicle © Battery foad rest SALE PRICE Cy a ae en a ® Drain cooling system ¢ Replace Coolant/Antifreeze ® {nspect radiator, cap and hoses ¢ Check thermostat/tempe rature pauge operation ¢ Check operation of radiator and A/C condenser tans © Pressure-test system ¢ Check water pump for noise, loose pulley, and condition of belt ¢ Test coolant protection level dead SALE PRICE Taxes extra, Offer expires Noy. 25, 04 Not valid with any other offer or discount Parts & Service 7:30 am - 6:00 pm, Monday - Saturday 984-0331 mis 2 blocks east of Gapitane Mall REPAIR CENTER Cert. #50354 checking your antifreeze, as Khosro Khandashti of K&A them. Will the, stand up to another four to six months of driving? All- season tires are net effective with- out at least three millimetres of | tread available. Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressure. This pres- sure is located on the tire sidewall, and in your owner's manual. Over and under-inflated tires will wear faster and change the han- dling aspects of the tires. This fall and winter, we will face something that can be more treach- erous than black ice. . Drivers from the interior have stories about hitting black ice and the loss of control drivers suffers if they try to do anything but go ’ straight. Well, we face a similar danger in the innocent looking coilection of sodden leaves that seems to collect on the roadside or in the roadway just prior to an intersection. A vehicle attempting to come to a stop, with its wheels on the sod- den leaves, will continue to slide forward until either the slide wears away the leaves between the road and tire, or the vehicle stops after - colliding with another vehicle or pedestrian. With the increase in rain comes the increase of water entering our drainage system. This increased load causes back-ups when com- bined with sodden piles of leaves and tree branches. Backups of water spread out toward the roadway crown and eventually may have a depth of two, three, or even four inches at the drain opening. This pool of water has a darker, flatter color to it, and doesn’t have a ripple effect to it. This pool of water will cause the rolling tire of a car to hydroplane, or to ride on a sheet of water just above the pavement. If you find yourself caught in such a situation, don’t try to brake hard and steer while braking hard. Ease off the gas, grasp the steer- ing wheel firmly in both hands, and if you have sufficient space, ride straight through the obstruction. Const. Rick Burnett is with the West Vancouver police department.