a oo, SHES Mee Getting a grip on the ever-changing worid of wheels WHEN IT comes to cars, not every wheel is created equal. By Paul A. Eisenstein Contributing Writer Most cars transmit power from the engine to either the tires up front (front-wheel drive) or to those in the back (rear-wheel! drive), Some get a good grip on the toad with four-wheel drive. Which is better? Not everyone agrees, but your choice may be influenced by what type of car you buy and how you will use it. Front-wheel drive makes effi- cient use of space, reducing the weight of the car, which means better fuel economy. Front-wheel-drive cars also have the weight of the engine pressing down on the front tires, improving traction on wet roads. On the other hand, there are several applications where rear- wheel drive is more useful. When you stomp on the gas, you transfer weight to the rear wheels. In a front-wheel-drive perfor- mance car, that rear-wheel weight transfer can cause loss of traction. Under norma! driving condi- tions, that’s not a big problem, but many sports-car owners and other high-performance drivers prefer rear-wheel drive. Some experts also prefer rear- wheel drive for !n: ce cars, espe- cially if they Hl be used to carry heavy loads or tow a boat or trailer. That puts extra weight on the rear axle, translating into added traction. {f you spend a lot of time dri- ving off-road, consider four-wheel drive. Spreading power to four wheels means a better grip, on or off the road. In passenger cars, it is typically referred to as all-wheel drive. There are, however, a variety of different systems to consider. Some are only for occasional use on slick roads. On some cars, all four wheels are driven full-time. Other models let you switch from all-wheel to front or rear- wheel drive whenever you choose, There's a new alternative to four-wheel drive dubbed Traction Control System (TCS). It’s a spin-off of anti-lock-brake technology and uses many of the same components. When a wheel starts to spin while accelerating, a TCS gently appties the brake on only the spin- ning wheel, slowing it down until it regains traction. Seme versions of TCS even back off on the throttle automalti- cally. TCS is lighter, simpler and uses less fuel than four-wheel drive. In the near future, it’s also likely to be a lot cheaper. Reprinted with permission from Prevention Magazine. Distributed by Los Angeles Times syndicate. AirCore SPECIALISTS “Our 36th Year” igh ii ¥ re Vern Poulter = Mike Charbala Glen Fletcher % Tune-ups *& Fuel systems * Electrical AirCare Gov.Certified #50222 B.C.A.A, & A,R.A. approved #Consultation * 985-7455 MCL Motor Cars (1992) Inc. 1730 Burrard Street, Vancouver 738-5577 , 1994 - North Shore News - 35 The importance of strapping in SEAT BELTS are an old standby that have taken on anew shape. By Paul A. Eisenstein Contributing Writer By now virtually every car maker has augmented the old seat belt, which consisted of lap belt only, with the now-familiar shoulder restraint. But while nearly every car comes equipped with these, there are still a few decisions that need to be made, You aren't as likely to wear your seat belt if it dovsn't fit comfortably. Children and small adults, in particular, often discover that shoulder restraints chafe their necks. To address the problem, many car makers now offer models with adjustable shoulder-restraint anchors that can be raised or lowered to fit the occu- pant. Also, the safety experts tend to favor the inertial reel design seat belts used by most European auto makers. With these, the shoulder restraints allow you to lean forward and move around but then pull tight 1993 OL CUTLASS ALL THIS FOR ONLY alioy wheeis power windows eruise control when you lean back. The shoulder restraints used in many domestic cars unreel as you move around but then remain slack. You actually have to give them a yank, just like a window shade, before they tighten up again. This can be critical. In a crash, a loose belt offers lit- le protection. if you mean to wear a seat belt but somehow never remember to do it, an automatic belt might be just the ticket. Also known as passive belts, these have shoulder restraints anchored to a motorized track that circles the top half of the door. You get in the car, start the ignition, and the belt zips into place. The lap belt still requires manual buckling, however; and, without it, your protection is incomplete. Whether you opt for the inertial reei, adjustable anchors or automatic belts, the experts suggest you keep one important caveat in mind: be careful of shoulder belts anchored to the car door itself, because if the door flies open during a crash the seat belt goes with it, Distributed by the Los Angeles Times syndicate. a iJ 13,975 air bag AM/FR cassette power Iocks air conditioning Look what the cat dragged down. Until July 34, 3.25% lease rate financing. As interest rates hegin to claw their way up. Jaguar is Ughtening its grip to offer the lowest lease rate financing available in its class. This amazingly low Superlease rate applies to all Jaguar XJ6 24-month le warranty, no cost scheduled maintenance and roadside as: only hold the line on] dealer before the cat fights break out. rates until July 31. So. see vour nearest Jaguar s. Your Jaguar comes with Clib Jaguar membership including a 4 year, 80.000 km tance, But we ean FN JAGUAR