Hear seats have From page 36 payload package. Four-by-four models have a shitt-on-the-fly system with an electronic shift transfer case with automatic locking hubs. A dial on the dash makes it casy to switch trom 2WD to 4WD High or 4D Low, The 4WD High position locks the front and rear differentials together and should only be used on slippery or loose sur- faces tu avoid binding the dri- veline. Four-wheel-diive Low engages 3 lower gear, and ts useful in climbing or descend - ing steep anst slippery hills because it enhances engine braking. To further enhance rear traction on poor surfaces, a limited slip rear differential is available which limits the power differences berween the avo rear wheels. Like the. Explorer, the Sport Trac has an independent front suspension (short and long arm eype, torsion bar) and a solid rear axle with jeaf springs, and standard front disc/rear drum brakes with ABS. P235/75-15 inch all- season tires are standard on 4X2s and P235/75R-15 inch all-terrain tires are standard on 4X4s, P255/70R-16 inch all- terrain tires are optional. Driving impressions ‘The driver and passengers sit up. high in the Sport Trac, and outward visibility is very good. The step-up height is rather high, and tae optional step-up bar may be a ood investment for shorter people and children. _ The driver's position is good relative to controls and instruments, and the sporty, bolstered front bucket seats are very comfortable. There’s plenty of headroom and legroom for both front and ". rear passengers — unlike most extended cab pickup trucks. _ Access to the rear seats is also much easier with a stan- ‘dard, front-hinged rear door on both sides. The rear seat- backs are not bolt upright like in many extended cab pickups, _and are therefore more com- fortable. ‘The rear window is . Close to the rear passenger’s heads, but there are head ’ “restraints, “. 1 found the Sport Trac casy ~ to drive around town and on the highway, but it feels fairly heavy, which it is (1,980 kg/4,400 Ib.). The 205- . horsepower V6 engine has “enough power and torque for a full load of passengers and a light load, but it’s not designed for heavy towing jobs. My guess is that towing customers will choose a heavy- duty F-]50 Super Duty or SuperCrew pickup instead. The five-speed automatic transmission is great, changing smoothly and in a timely fash- ion. The Sport Trac’s ride is comfortable and smooth an a well-paved highway, but the Sport Traz bobs from side to side on uneven road surfaces, a result of its high ride height and mid-sized width. This is not much ditferent from the Explorer SUV. The Sport Trac has a fairly large turning diameter of 12.9 metres (43 1. feet), not unex- pected for'a cruck of 5.23 m (17.2 ft.) in length. The height from the tail- gate to the ground — SO cm (31.5 in.) -- is fairly high, av it ison most pickups, so fitting anvthing heavy requires wo people, The bed has a corru- gated plastic surface waich though durable, is likely to scratch if heavy objects are dragged across it, ifowever, a seratch probably won't be noticed because there's ne paint to scratch off, The top of the cargo box sides are also plastic, 90 cargo items can be slid cross die top without scratching the paint. The optional bed entender is easy to operate and locks in place when flipped over onto the tailgate. It will prevent large objects from sliding off the back, bur smali- 2 SSI evitems may sip through the ban if not ted down. Price and options The manufacturer's sug- gested retail price tor a 4x2 model is $28,345, and the trad model starts ar $33,345. My x4 test truck included an optional limited slip rear axle (S330), power moonrool NEWS photo Mike Wakefield A useful option is a rear bed extender called a Cargo Keeper. When the tailgate is lowered, the bed extender flips over and locks in piace on the tailgate, extending the bed by 1 feet 10 inches to nearly six feet. Featuring ACDelico DuraStop™ Parts A Goodwrench Technician will replace front pads or rear shoes with ACDeico DuraStop brake friction material. This complete Goodwrench Brake Service includes machining of rotors or drums as requed, inspection and jubrication of hardware, inspection of master cylinder, calipers, brake tines, brake fluid condition, vehicle road test, as well as the DuraStop Limited Lifetime Warranty*. Friday, June 23, 2000 - North Shore News - 37 opened ($1,070), Premium Sport Group which included P255,/70R-16 OWL A/T tires, step bar, fog lamps, and 16-inch allov wheeis (S900), a Convenience Group which included cruise control, tilt wheel, leather-covered steering own front-hinged doors wheel, remote keyless entry ($650), Cloth Comtort Group with overhead console, six-way power driver's seat ($950), Cargo cage ($235), and skid plates ($135). With a freight charge of S815, the total came to $38,530. Repairs & Service Specialists * Summer is almost here, so put your mind at ease with our Special Offers LUBE, “includes oil & filter OIL, FILTER Check alt tHuid levels and carrect if necessary $24 95" tees tae ene Summer Super Service Tune up including ignition system inspection. replace spark plugs, battery service, air tiller service, $ A scope engine and check exhaust emission levels o pats, 8 taxes wa asa nave specials 46 & Bey! (mast ex sod tight roc] Coolin System Service Pressure lest cao: check belts and hoses. includes anitfreeze Wheel Alignment Hunter aligament On the latest §: ing system, change antifreeze, gr dazes satra (vost cars & light cis} machine providing a computer generated betore & afier report Front wheel alignment “Plas taxes. Parts extra it required Prices cover most makes and modets Four wheat $70 ‘. alignment .... 183 Pemberton Ave. ‘We went you to know more: Come visit us at your local Dealer. {Taxes not iccluded. Shop & environmental charges inciused. Oeater may tel? for iess, “DuraStup wareanty covers brake friction material for as long as you ows the vehicle, when professionally installed. See ACUICn warranty statement for complete details. Dealer labovs wartantied for 12 enonths or 20,000ken whicheve: occurs first. Limited time olfet. OTORS. Ree "CARTER CHEVROLET-OLDSMOBILE 987-5231 REGENCY PONTIAC-BUICK-CADILLAC-GMC 985-6333 Most Cars & Light Tricks from tt Parts & Labour included 95 95]