‘unfold the road maps. ‘ during Prepare the car for road trips YOU LOAD the car, lock the house, find your sunglasses, and But did you also ‘‘travel-proof’’ your vehicle? Running boards, trailer hitches, luggage racks, sun roofs, window tint, and auto alarms can improve safety, increase security, and add to the general comfort of travellers. Running boards make it a lot easier for those thousands of peo- ple who climb in and out of your vehicle, or for those people who climb in and out a thousand times. _Running boards add an extra measure of safety when carrying children, pets, packages, luggage or groceries, They also protect the lower part of a vehicle from wear and tear while enhancing its appearance. Trailer hitches should be sized to match the vehicle and what it is towing.. A Class | trailer hitch should be used for fight towing such as a tent trailer. A Class 2 trailer hitch should be used to tow a small camper or boat, while a Class 3 trailer hitch is best’ to tow a. large trailer or "boat. Luggage racks add extra room to today’s smaller cars. Rooftop or deck luggage racks hold items such as: suitcases, bicycles, snow and water skis, paddleboards, surfboards, windsurfing eauip- _ ment, tents and camping gear. Sunroofs provide ventilation long rides so windows don’t have to be rolled down. They- also-add-light to-the inte- rior of a vehicle, enabling passen- “~ gers to read and play games. “Take care of ‘FOR ALL its electronic gadgetry “and mechanical wizardry, a motor Most people don’t realize that ' 98% of all vehicles will- accept an vehicle -without a reliable battery to get it Started is nothing more than a major pain in the neck. -That’s why it is very important to’ know -how to select’ the ap- “propriate battery for your car and . to know how to maintain it pro- perly, A battery should have the cor- rect cranking power for the condi- - tions - it’s expected to perform under. and ; the size of the car’s engine. ° “If it’s: really, really cold, you “have ‘to look at whether the bat- after-market sunroof. Window tint provides comfort while driving. With window tint, the air conditioner cools the car off more quickly. It also helps keep harmful ul- traviolet rays from burning the driver’s arms and shoulders. Safety benefits include decreas- ed road glare and decreased reflections from morning and afternoon sunshine, which reduces eye strain and fatigue. Window tint also protects in- fants in car seats from sunburn and injury; if the windows are broken during an accident, the glass won’t shatter on them. Auto alarms protect valuables in a car when travelling, giving ‘you peace of mind in unfamiliar places. Some alarms offer perime- ter protection, a radar scan that chirps a warning when the space around the vehicle is invaded, so that a thief will think twice before breaking in. When travelling, ‘the remote keyless entry system eliminates fumbling for keys when your arms are full and allows you to gain access to the car if you lock your keys in it. When you're relaxing on the beach and someone. needs to get into the car, give them the remote transmitter to unlock and lock the doors, or to pop the trunk or hatch, It’s a lot easier than worry- ing about the keys. For added safety, the system automaticaily locks the doors when the ignition is turned on and automatically unlocks them when the ignition is turned off. ° Nose guards. will protect. your vehicle against hitting millions of bugs, especially on a long trip or vacation. Nose guards also help protect car’s battery tery has enough cranking power to turn over the engine,’’ says Martin Ford of TLC Auto Centre in West Vancouver, When it. comes to maintaining a battery in ideal condition, he recommends that the car owner keep the battery’s water levels up, its posts clean, and post covers on the terminals. A quick annual checkup by a mechanic could go.a long way to ensuring that you won’t get stuck waiting for a boost one morning — a half-hour after you had to be at an important meeting. “A quality alternative to _Your normal dealer” | 115 Charles St North Vancouver 929-1410 cars, trucks and vans against mud, stones, splashes, dents, and paint chips. Plan ahead for your next trip and impress your relatives and friends with a dressed-up, trav- el-proofed vehicle. Accessories can make your vehicle safer, comfortabie, and more enjoyable. TOYOTA SPRI @ Tune-up e Check Battery & Charging System Change Oil/Filter e Check Fluid Levels Inspect All Hoses Friday, March 26, 1993 - North Shore News - 27 SPRING “93 CERTIFIED AirCare REPAIR CENTRE #50431 LSTC? METAL eeparme * Complete Mechanical Repairs & Service * Gompiete Collision Repairs & Painting “All makes & models of cards, trucks & R.V.’s" 1.C.B.C. 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