start. ;

You needi't’ be one of
them, says the:.B.C.. Auto- -
mobile Association. A little
prevention can save you that’
frustrating ~-wait™
mechanic: anid possibly some
costly repairs.

If you haven't taken your

car-in for a pre-winter-tuné--

up, do it as Soon as possible,
warns BCAA’s emergency
road: servicé department.
Here*are the most comnion
rainy day "Sal sore found by.
BCAA's. road: service-crews.

A good tune-up Will Prevent | ‘iy

mostofthem,- 7.
eNumber. one: in~ ~un-*
pleasant. surprises is a dead
battery. Sometimes the
problem is as simple as
having: ‘forgotten to turn off
your lights. Less obvious is
the effect of cold weather.

A weak ‘battery
recharge with normal
running in -warm summer
temperatures, but it won't

recharge when the weather .

is near freezing. In cold and

rainy weather you'll
probably be running the
heater, defroster, rear
window defogger,. wind-

shield wipers and lights and
are, likely to find yourself
creeping along in stop-and-
go traffic. All of these put an
extra drain on'the battery.

not to

One of the signs of a damp
ignition is a car which turns
over normally but just won't
Start. .

If this. happens to your
car, there are two “don'ts” to
bear in mind, says the B.C.
Automobile Association.
Otherwise you may find
yourself in more trouble
than you had to begin with.

*Don’t crank the starter
for too long. Yoi can
damage the starter and kill
your battery as well.

A good guideline is to turn
the key to crank the starter
for a maximum of 10-15
seconds. If the car doesn't
start, let it sit for at least two
minutes to allow the starter
to cool. Repeat this
procedure — 10-15 seconds
of cranking, two minutes of
rest — no more than three
times. If it doesn’t start the
third time, call a mechanic.

*Don't keep stepping on
the gas. Since the car is not
running and the gasoline is
not being used up, it will
flood the engine and cause
further problems in starting.

Unless you are a confident
mechanic, don’t try to fix the

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. “Specific gravity and, to test: at
under a load. Also have him
check the battery's charging
system. A ‘weak charging
circuit may not show up at
all in summer, but.on some
cold and wet winter morning
‘you'll find out about it the

~ hard way.

Regular
tenance is also important.
Keep the battery terminals
clean and the battery topped
off with water. A neglected
battery will draw attention to

_ itselfsooneror later! _
in the: air.
wreaks havoc witha car's
Although .
ition. . can, “be a |
“problemi in. even: a well-miain-

*Moisture

ignition: system.
damp, ig

tained” ear; ‘the chaices of
running into trouble are far

" greater if you have a cracked

or worn distributor cap, if

the leads running from the |
distributor cap to the spark ©

plugs are old and cracked, or.
if yourspark plugs are worn.
All these items will be
checked in the course of a
good tune-up.

Running the car every. day
in winter can help to dry out
the engine and lesson

Starting problems. If you.

won't be driving, start your
car and let it run for about
five minutes or until you get
hot air from the heater.
ePuel lines are another
trouble spot. When the

Pk

1at

car yourself, warns the B.C:
Automobile Association.
The machinery under the
hood of your car can be
dangerous, especially for the
unwary.

- Your best bet ts to call for

help — if yon belong to the
auto club, call its emergency

road service. number; other-

wise eall a garage.

Once you get the car
running, advises the BCAA,
take it infor a good tune-up
to sharply reduce the odds of
having the same problem
again on the next cold and
rainy day. A battery boost
will not solve your problems
in the winter months!

NEWS
classified

4986-6222

simple main-.

' temperature. ’ drops _ below

-freezing, condensation in the
gas line can “solidify and

prevent. gas from reaching
the engine.

You can virtually
eliminate this problem your-
self by pouring a can of gas-
line anti-freeze into your gas
tank once a month.

*Prevent’ frozen door
locks by spraying them with
a special antifreeze and
lubricant compound:
available from automotive .

supply stores. Don't neglect

the rubber. mouldings
around the doors — | it's
entirely possible for the

whole door to freeze shut.

Rub the mouldings: with
vaseline or spray them with a
silicone lubricant.

eBe sure that you have
antifreeze in your radiator.
Every year emergency road

' service crews find frozen

radiators and engine blocks
in cars which were not
winterized. Also have

but. unfortunately that's :
time: your ¢ar is most likely °.

radiator hoses: and the. fan

belts: “Checked for cracks or - 7
~weat ‘and replace them if

necessary.

A good tune-up is a wise

investment that can save-you |

both. time and frustration,

‘says the BCAA. You need a
dependable car most when. _—

the weather is wet and.cold,

to let you down if you

haven't prepared it for a wet -

B. iC. winter.

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the more you like.

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Winter Driving Notice

"At this time of year and in areas Subject to
heavy snow conditions, you will often see
special signs requiring that your vehicle
have good winter-tread tires or carry
chains or, in some case, that chains be
mounted. For your safety and that of other
motorists, these signs are authorized

by law.

During the next few weeks, random checks
will be carried out by the RCMP in problem
driving areas, more particularly the Hope-
Princeton, the Squamish Highway to
Whistler, the Fraser Canyon, but including
other sections of road on Vancouver Island
and the rest of the province subject to
snow conditions. The operation will be in

“* ¢onjunction with the Attomey General's re
“CounterAttack” programme. Drivers of
vehicles not properly equipped may be _
tumed back or charged. eye
The Ministry of Transportation and High-
ways is doing its best to clear snow and
maintain our roads in winter to make them
safe. Before dfiving into snow areas, make
sure you have good winter tires and are
carrying chains to make your vehicle safe.

Be on the lookout for snow clearing and ‘
sanding equipment, sometimes operating

in conditions of limited visibility. Their
flashing amber lights are warming you to
use extreme caution and slow down. Make
sure also that you observe special.signing.
and directions of flagpersons if you should
encounter them, and please drivecarefully.

Province of British Columbia
MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AND’ HIGHWAYS
Hon, Alex V. Fraser, Minister

s

B7- Sunday News, Jane _ sary 7 4, 1981"

4