Any, transmission with an over-drive gear will offer better ~ ‘economy - while highway driving. Overdrive : is an added gear, ‘either a fourth’ or, fifth: gear,which © reduces engine speed while — maintaining the same overall . highway speed reducing both fuel. consumption and engine wear. _ Automatic ‘Transmission - ‘Torque Converter Lock-ups: ' This. device is presently’ available on some cars and will increase fuel economy by about 6 per cent. Currently, automatic transmission torque con- ‘verters always have a Certain amount of slippage . and thereby reduce the energy waste because of it. Watch’ for this option — it will save you fuel. Another option to watch for in the future is electronic gear selection for automatic transmissions. These will choose gears electronically and result in a more precise matching of gears power demand. e Carburetors: Some automotive manufacturers offer different carburetors work on this page. will see it with — There are 88,636 cars on the North Shore. How many cars did you - or sell - tast month? it your car ad is on qwner on the North Shore Call display advertising 980-0511 | on their-models. The “carb” is the. device ‘that Measures the air/fuel mixture to be. burned: and: is therefore a very important engine . component in terms of fuel. consumption. . . In terms of options the two which i are usually offered on. - V-8 engines are 2 and 4- ‘barrel carbs. Basically the larger the individual .barrel: the more fuel it passes on to. be burned. The individual barrels in a 4-barrel carb are smaller. in diameter than the ones in ‘the 2-barrel and under normal driving only. two of the 4 barrels are being used. Therefore, the two barrels of the 2-barrel carb will use more fuel than the two barrels, used under normal operation, of. the 4-barrel carb. But as soon as you tromp down on the gas , all four barrels will. be active ‘and down goes the fuel. There is definitely more potential for increased fuel consumption with a 4-barrel carburetor. What does all this mean? It means that if you drive carefully, the 4-barrel carb can deliver reasonable economy. However, if you are the type tO be tempted by the feeling of added every car ee A RE NRE FAN EL TIE LEE I ; : power - when ‘the car surges . ‘ahead. and’ pins you to the ‘back of ‘your seat, remove the temptation, get a small engine with a one or two- barrel carburetor. ,® Fuel Injection: Low pressure fuel “injection systems offer lower emissions and increased fuel economy. They can use less. fuel by properly measuring how. much gas your car needs. They reduce the need for add-on. pollution control ‘devices ‘by more efficient burning of. fuel. However fuel injection systems (especially high pressure) are difficult and costly ‘to repair. — ° Differentials: Some manufacturers give | the consumer a choice in “rear- “end ratios.” Generally a low. _ fatio (i.e. 2.5:1) will deliver better fuel economy than a- high ratio (4.1:1) dif- ferential. The low ratio will _also put less strain on the motor at highway speeds ‘but it will be slower during acceleration. ‘© Power Steering: feature is now standard on almost all large cars. It is a reasonable option for full and mid-sized cars but considered unnecessary in compact and = small-sized cars. In short, if it is an option it is probably not necessary. The unit reduces steering effort, quickens response, which are definite assets in low speed manoeuvres, such as parking. but also decreases the “feel of the road” which many drivers THE BRAKE DOCTOR Hours Ba.m.- 10 p.m. Mon -Sat. 10 a.m. - Sundays “This” DAVE THODESON 10 p.m. ‘stability. ALAM ie Se eller abe mem nannies TN a) * consider desirable. ‘Because of the added weight and - added straip.on the engine, || there. is a. minor adverse effect: on fuel consumption (approximately 3 per cent). ° Brakes: On cars which do not offer power brakes as — it is | standard equipment, usually ‘an unnecessary option. Disc ‘brakes are however, far superior -to drum brakes and provide improved directional Power brakes where optional, cost from $35 to $70. Their effect on . gas mileage is minor. - If you have power brakes and power steering and, if - | for any reason (emergency, out of gas, etc.) you. must | stop your car with the engine off, significantly increased - manual effort is needed to steer and stop the car. Practice for emergency situations by turning off your motor and controlling the car to a stop, but do it carefully. ° Tires. Often different types . of tires are offered as op- tions. Radial tires are most. expensive, but last longer, use less fuel and offer in- creased handling abilities. They are therefore, a desirable option. ¢ Flow-through Ventilation. Many manufacturers now offer “flow-through ven- tiulation” as standard = or optional equipment. It reduces the need to drive with open windows to maintain a continuous supply of fresh air. It also _ decreases the need for an air conditioner. WE WILL North Van Auto Brake Announcement! Newman Automotive introduces Do -it- Yourself Auto Shop Space 8 Full-size bays * Reasanable hourly rates * Hoists, electronic equipment (stight extra charge) + * Heiptul attendant * Open7 days a woek 1455 MAIN STREET . NORTH VAN & ICBC Rates . i | iC ewe ean cae> ee ae PACIFIC INTER | AUTO INC. 1845 Powell Street _ Vancouver 254-0811 Visit our showroom and test drive our new ALFA ROMEOS and. RENAULTS From our used car selection: 4 1973 Alfa GTV - No miles on rebuilt engine, navy * 1978 Alfa GT- 5500 km, showroom condition, balance of new car warranty, sunroof, red 1976 Datsun 2802Z - Low mileage, excellent condition 1976 Renault 12 - Station wagon, auto transmission te Deater No. 000736A BRAKE SPECIAL “Inspect brakes all 4 wheels *Clean & adjust brakes * Adjust parking brakes *Flush & bleed hyd. system *Safety check steering & suspension "lee 980-7413 or 980-7414 - Newman Automotive 717 West 15th Street North Van. 985-8705 1175 W 14th N.V. (just off Pemberton) Rotier Rink (pone Sterauni} S