SUMMER is sizzling,
but is your car primed
to handle the hot
weather?

‘The heat, dust, traftic jams

and long vacation drives of

summer can wreak havoc on
your car and your patience.

High temperatures take a
toll on your car’s engine,
cooling system and battery.
Keeping your car and yourself
cool will give you a betrer
chance of getting to a week-
end at the cottage or through
a cross-country trek.

Here are four cvol rules to
live by for hassle-free sum-
mertime driving.

& Rule 1: Keep your engine
coo!

If you didn’t start the
summer with an oil change,
get one now. Automotive
experts agree it’s the most

_ important, yet least expensive
maintenance item.

Motor oil is becoming
more technologically

“advanced all the time, but it
still must be changed at regu-
lar intervals — even ifyou use

a high performance s synthetic
oil.

Your owner's: manual will
‘tell you what grade of oil your
car needs. Most newer cars

“use a 5W-30 oil year round,
however, if you have an older
"car, or will be driving at sus-

opposes
$75 levy

GAS the. gas tax and
toss the transit levy!

vo The British Columbia
Automobile Association has _
launched a petition cam-
paign to do just that.
BCAA members and non-
‘members - are invited to put

Tips for hot-weather driving

tained highway speeds during
hot weather, 10W-30 is a
good choice.

Towing a boat or trailer,
or driving an RV this sum-
mer? Consider a heavier vis-
cosity 20W-50 blend
designed especially for high
np.m., high-load  applica-
tions.

Whichever grade you

choose, synthetic oils offer
some real advantages in the
summer, especially for traffic
jams, hauling a heavy Joad,
dusty reads, hot temperatures
and other situations that place
added stress on your car's
engine.
B Rule 2: The number one
cause of summer break-
downs is engine overheat-
ing.

Transferring heat away
fron: the engine is the main
function of a coolant. Like
motor oil, however, the addi-
tives in a coolant/antifreeze
— which inhibit rust and cor-
rosion and lubricate the water
pump — will eventually wear

out leaving an engine unpro- |

‘tected,

Check coolant levels peri-
odically and have the radiator
flushed and refilled in a
50/50 mix of antifreeze and

their names: onthe line to --

Oppose TransLink’s planned -
. $75 vehicle levy and five cent
“per litre gas tax...

A May member opinion
“survey ‘reveated that 77% of

: BCAA members living in the
Greater Vancouver: Regional.
" District:are opposed to the
levy, which - is. expected «to
Javerage $75 and

“tially”.:expressed | concern
“about the. levy. last January.
because i it is unfairly punitive -
“.to./motorists. who already
“bear the burden of provincial ...
“and federal government fuel
_ taxes, plus GST. : :
“.. “Our members have spo-
ken: —: both through our

= survey and the many calls
“we've received,” said John
Ratel,°
government _ affairs.
“Although’ they support
‘improved. public transit and

~.roads, they clearly oppose
‘this levy and tax. They feel
“they “have paid enough ©
already.

“TransLink’s 11th-hour
.-plan'to introduce a gas tax as
-a possible alternative to the
a levy is poorly-timed and
* nothing more than a sleight

“of hand: In the end, it will -

See M: atorists page 30

c- imple--
mented. in 2001. BCAA i ini- |:

BCAA director of |

water every two years. For
optimal protection, use an
ethylene glycol-based
antifreeze such as Zerex
which cransfers heat faster and
Protects against. corrosion,
scale and sludge formation.

Drive belts, clamps and
hoses should all be checked
for tightness and wear. Hoses,
for example, deteriorate from
the inside out, so it’s almost
impossible to cell just by
looking if they are worn.

M Ruie 3: Keep your bat-
tery cool.

Batteries may work hard in
winter but summer's hot tem-
peratures will drain them of
energy. Recharging the bat-
tery is also much tougher for
the electrical system in hot
weather.

Today's batteries are
durable Sut leaving dome or
headlights on will drain the
electrical system, as will cellu-
lar phones left plugged into a
cigarette lighter without the
motor running. Avoid fre-
quent short trips which don't
allow the battery time to
recharge and keep jumper
cabies in your car year round.
Keep battery cable connec-
tions clean.

@ Rule 4: Keep yourself

‘CARTER. CHEVROLET -

cool.

Every car, new or old, can
run inte trouble. A litthe com-
mon sense, and some basic
items, will help keep you
from getting hot under the
collar, even if your car does.

A first-aid kit, flares, a
blanket and a flashlight are
basic safety items which
should be kept in your car at
all times. Keep a bottle of
auto glassy cleaner such as
Eagle One 20/20 Perfect
Vision and paper towels on
hand to remove road grime,
and bugs for a clear view of
the road.

A properly inflated spare
tire and jack are indispens-
able. Consider carrving an
emergency tire sealer and
inflator that temporarily
repairs flac tires in minutes.
Look for one such as Pyroil
The Pump that won't freeze
in the winter, isn’t flammable
and won't harm tires or cims.

If summer travel includes
extensive road trips, severe
driving conditions or if your
car is prone to breakdowns,
carry a couple of litres of
motor oi, a jug of
antifreeze coolant and a
basic toul kit. Hopefully, they
won't be needed, but they
just might help keep you and
your car cool until you've
reached your destination.

A time fo relax. =

Your Cot Mechanical

‘Repairs & Service Specialisis

Summer is here, so put your mind
at ease with our Special offer.

LUBE, Olt, FILTER

Check all fluid levels and correct if necessary
*ineludes oil & fitter

Summer Super Service

Tune up including ignition system inspection,

replace spark plugs, battery sorvice, air filter service. $
scope engine and check exhaust

emission leveis

95"
cyl» parts,
We atzearve aca 00 6 Oey ect 2 aed Ug oes} .

Cooling System Service

Pressure test cooling system, change entilreeze, 95.
check belts 2nd hoses. $ poi
Includes antitree28 ........ 20. . 0. cece crtateeenetees

fares extra (inet cart & light frocks) I
Wheel Alignment /

On the latest 611 Hunter alignment
machine providing a computer generated delore & after report

2 gee $7 GE

We are also a complete autobody repair shop.
183 Pemberton Ave. TALEINS

985-7195 raise

Front wheal
alignment

“”

Something special every
Wednesday 'n the

CLDSMOBILE 987-5231
REGENCY PONTIAC - BUICK - CADILLAC - GMC 985- 6333