IN YOUR grandparents’ day, the ignition and fuel system of North America’s motorcars were effective, but not par- ticularly durable. By Robert Appe! Contributing Writer Spark plugs needed cleaning and regapping about every 500 “miles and replacement at 1,500 miles. The low-tech (and inexpensive) spark plug wires — the wires that carry ignition to each cylinder — lasted about ene rough winter be- fore they started to give trouble. Poinis and condenser, the dy- namic duo that triggered each in- dividual ignition spark, were good for 2,C00 miles — maybe. A “point file”? a 50-cent tool to clean the points, was a com- mon component of a mechanic’s toolbsx. Today, they’re found on- ly in: museums. The word tune-up was coined to mean servicing the ignition — and very litile else. Such tune-ups, however fre- quent, were not that expensive. The distributor rotor and cap together cost only a few dollars — they were usually replaced at the same time as the points and plugs. If the ignition voltage coil showed any arcing cr cracking, it, too, was inexpensively replaced in the process. And l!et’s not forget that old mechanical carburetor. This amaz- ing contraption, which had more moving parts ‘han today’s washing machines, inevitably needed constant loving and pampering, plus dozens of tiny lit- tle adjustments, in order to keep performance and fuci consu:np- tion within proper limits — and by that we're talking eight miles per gallon! Now let’s look at today’s chariots. A hi-voltage electronical- ly triggered (pointless) ignition, combined with premium lead-free gasoline, means that your spark plugs and ignition system should perform quite reliably, without fuss, for as long as 40,900 miles between servicings (although some manufacturers may recommend servicing before that}. The wires, coil, cap and rotor should last almost as fong as the plugs. (And that’s assuming your car has a separate distributor in the first place — many cars today don’t.) As for the fuel system, don't even think of trying to adjust it unless you have a Ph.D. in elec- tronics and a warehouseful of test equipment. Note aiso that when a new car leaves the factory, certain specifications in the electrical and fuel systems are set precisely. The reason for this precision is that Suzuki sales set records FOR THE second consecutive month Suzuki Canada announces record sales. Total car sales in September 1991 were 775 units, compared with 387 units for the same month in the previous year, sepresenting an increase of 100%. Total truck sales in September 1991 were 675 units, compared with 337 units for the same month in the previous year, representing an increase of 100%. August 1991 sales figures for Swift cars showed an increase of 100% and Sidekick 4x4s also showed an increase of 100%. Suzuki recently passed another automotive milestone when they declared sales of 2.5 million units of their home market Suzuki Alto model, a significant achievement since its introduction in May 1979. The Alto offers a comprehensive line-up of models powered by 660 ce engines — and competes in the ‘minicar’ category that is so popu- lar in Japan. $ SUZUK! mmuy? fom CN BURRARD VANCOUVER’S ONLY SUZUKI DEALER 1991 4 DOGR SIDEKICK CLEARANCE STOCK # 51075 St096 5106 51023 MODEL 1X5 speed SLX 5 spead ~ JLX PWR/PAG. JUX PWR. /PKG., Auto, A/C CLEARANCE* 12,995 14,595 14,995 16,995 LIST PRICE $14,885 $16,285 $17,885 $20,185 . Feigh Ol $490 extra West. Ind: cat Burrard” government emission laws have to be met and only specific, cali- brated settings will do this. As the car wears over normal usage, these settings change slight- ly all by themselves. Furthermore, if the car is br rought to a mechanic for any service whatsoever, he may alter these settings even more to make the car run better. Therefore — and this is the im- portant part ~— after a few years the car is really no longer running at the specifications it was when it left the factory. So far, so good. Now, you br- ing the car in for a tune-up. Here’s what happens. In theory, the mechanic doing the tune-up on today’s modern car should check the settings the car is currently performing at, and, if everyone is happy with the car’s performance, try to keep those settings through the tunc-up. But very few do that. Instead, the vast majority will simply replace basic ignition parts like plugs and wires. That’s where their profit is — new parts -— and then simply reset “everything back to those original factory specifica- 721 PREVIA # 3 te choose from, full factory equipment. fa 2.4 Litre DOHC, 16-valve electronic fuel injection 138 h.p. engine intermittent front soar windshield wipers © 1578 sq.ft. ea and ad cargo © child protector side door | ook’ @bpeakor y cassette. stereo ETR with FREE 21°” colour TV ‘with this vehicle. WAS $26,744...NOW - “'87 oe 5 spd., ors fully loaded, nice condition. 90 CHEV SPRINT 2 dr, hatchback, 5 8 spd., naw condition. 30 DOHC 190 hp. engine « 6-srecker ? with auto reverse cassette deck 2 AMM im way adjustable heated pewer driver & r seats © cruise control, power fi automi ‘ “'87 FIREFLY 2-door hatchback, very clean condition. "87 HONDA . civic tions. To most shops today that’s all a tune-up is anymore: replace and reset. But is this ‘treplace and reset’* procedure really needed? And, if so, when? According to experts, all you really need to keep chugging along during most of your car's useful life is a good quality fuel, replacement gas filters as needed, and, occasionally, a bottle of fuel injector cleaner. Modern ignition parts should not be replaced unless defective or severly worn. Modern fuel systems, as explained, are totally non-adjustable. And the so-called “seasonal tune-up’’ has veritably gone the way of the dodo. Except for one small problem. A lot of mechanics out there have managed to develop a strong sen- timental attachment to that old- style tune-up — an attachment that might have more to do with finances than feelings. The numbers tell the real story: These days an ignition tune-up (new plugs, silicone wires, cap and rotor) can easily run well over 91 GRESSIDA General Mancger's Demo. Loaded, loaded, loaded. eae windows/locks * one touch : ratic air an conditioning * optional teather seat § surfaces. . WAS $34,855...NOW °gg HONDA ACCORD EXi Auto, P/S, P/3, low kms, excellent cond. 86 CAMA 4CD00R °7 B Tes NIGgANT 3002X TURBO E No more ‘low-tech’ car tune ups $150. And that’s assuming the car ran well when it first rolled in! The fact that these new bits and pieces may not absolutely be needed often tends to be overlaoked. So what's the answer? If your car’s driveability changes for any reason, or the ‘‘check engine’ light comes on and stays on, then go ahead and have things looked at. Other than that, have your igni- tion system serviced no earlier than every 30,000 imiles and no later than every 45,000. At this juncture you should have the plugs, cap and wires changed, the ignition should be ‘scoped’? and the exhaust gas should be checked to make sure the emissions are within the cor- rect tolerances. And if anyone should try to get you to, have a tune-up for no reason other than that the seasons have changed, strike that person off your Christmas list. Robert Appel is the author of several car manuals. He lives in Ontario. Distributed by the Los Angeles Times Syndicate. ry) SUPRA TURBO ; Hot red, fully loaded. deck» apna leather seat surfaces with g front seat hi ” WAS $39,528...NOW =) On 4 door, auto, AIC, 2 to choose from. © 5 spd., AM/FM cass., canopy, 1-owner.