A person's: best! friend j is-
his battery, in the winter that -
is, says the B.C. Automobile”
Association. oe

On the other hand, ify you
can't even remember what: it.
looks like or where it is, it.
may be your. worst. enemy

some frosty 3 mor ning:

“i

There are two ‘major. .

checks which ‘should be |
performed: the first is the .
level of the electrolyte, and =
the second is a. visual check .
and cleanup of . the battery
exterior.

To begin, ‘remove the
battery cover if there is one.

Underneath you will see two .

post-and-clamp ‘terminals: in
opposite corners and either
three or six caps: (or: ‘there
may be one long: capi in Place
of a group of three).

S Be. éareful that: no. elec “
. trolyte. splashes on clothes or.
skin. ‘If.this occurs, it should. .
“be. ‘washed . off immediately’ : 2
7 ‘with: a weak” ‘solution. of
_ baking: ‘soda and water ‘to
~-neutralize::the acid. If. it”
should splash in your eyés,
flush them immediately with |
_ large amounts of water, then |

see a doctor immediately.

Never: ‘strike. a. ‘match or

-, smoke near the battery, says _
the’ BCAA, as it.constantly
~- gives — off - highly-explosive —

hydrogen gas. For the same.

» reason, never rest.a wrench:

or ‘metal tool on top of the

battery. -If metal should -
~ touch both battery posts at
once, a short circuit would |

result. and the resulting |
sparks. could = ignite the .
- hydrogen gas. .

Before replacing: the cell ~

 caps,.check that the small -

Remove the caps, advises.

- the BCAA, and ‘inside. the —
cells you will see groups of ©

thin plates placed vertically. .

If you can see the tops of -

these plates, the electrolyte
level is too low. Most bat-
teries have a built-in system -
for determining. the correct.
level,

ring split. in two places just.
below the surface of the cap...
Water should reach just to.

that ring and notany, higher. .

Be sure- to : check. all six
battery cells, ‘but: don’t -let

them.

In cold weather
electrolyte level in the
battery should be’ checked .
once a month. It is normal
for a battery to need an
ounce or two of water every
1,000 miles. If your battery.

seems to ‘need more, it is
the .

overcharging, says -_
BCAA and .should be
checked by a professional.

If the electrolyte level is
low in any cell, add distilled
water with a funnel or bulb

overfill the cells as . the
electrolyte will bubble up
through the cell cap vents
when you're driving and,
Since it is highly ‘corrosive,
could in time corrode ‘the
cable clamps.

mix with the acid before: it
can freeze.

the -

baster. Be carefull not to

In cold _
weather add the water only »
just before driving so it can —

- ‘vent holes in the top:of the
. caps. are clean. If not, use a-
. toothpick | to unplug them.

‘Next check the battery
terminals. Is there a buildup
of white or greenish crystals _

er powder forming? If so
os they need cleaning. ;

‘the ©: most- common. oa
being the ‘split ring’: This isa.

Remove. the battery

4 cables, the negative first. On —
some batteries. loosen the
~ polt at. each post; on others
squeeze the spring clamp

with. pliers to release it. If

- they can’t be. released easily, .
your face: get too close tO Bs

radiator
problems? ©

lf you've got problems with your °

, automotive or marine cooling

been specializing in cocling system

repair, service, and construction —

for over 25 years.

“4

‘Drive . in service; come around.

the back. oa

For your,convenience, we accept
Chargex & Master- charge.

‘Nor Est |

RADIATORS ©

44 75W 14th St., N.V.
' 3blocks south of Marino Dr.
just off. Pemberton |

. 984-0374.
Hollands
Auto Repair

just Southeast of. Wooley soe

system - or your heater/defroster - —
~ come’ to the professionals. We've

“have. a garage ‘remove and

clean them for you. (There i is _

only a small charge. yo

“Next” ‘step. is: to. ‘pridhiten:
each post and terminal with |
‘a battery ‘cleaning brush to.
_ improve the contact. Then.
‘replace the terminals on the

“posts, ‘Starting . with. the

positive. one. Be: certainly ‘
they are tight. If the battery.
cables are frayed or: badly |
corroded, . ‘they should - be

Teplaced. —

To clean the « exterior of .
‘the battery, use a toothbrush |

-erial that. ‘will ‘keep the —~
oe surface from accumulating *
a frost. SAS x
Be certain windshield wip- 3
.- ers are in ‘their normal “off
_ position before’ ‘shutting off
the car engine, ‘advises the:
B.C. Automobile: : Associat- © »
‘jon. This avoids the possibil- -
ity of forcing frozen bladesto |.
-move when you: restart the ..
_ engine and. damaging . the F.:
blades” themselves “OF © othe’ os pee
¥ wiper motor. | | :

Hate. that ‘frosted. wind:
oe “shield? If you must park your:
car uncovered overnight,
here’s a little tip from. the

B.C. ‘Automobile Association

which can save you time.and:

effort in the frosty morning.

Cover the windshield’ over-

night front and. t

and hot water, being careful . |

to. seal off the vent holes in
the battery caps with tape or. § ;
Wipe YF

rounded toothpicks.

-any. eccess water off, then | a :
spread petroleum jelly over §
the terminals and: posts to |

‘reduce’ ‘corrosion: Be careful §
not to let any of the water |

splash onto your paint job.

- With- the above - ‘main |
“tenance, if your: battery. is fe
still: relatively. -young,..you. |
should have no trouble.
Starting your vehicle on.cold
mornings. However it may -

be time for a new battery, 4. : oe :
_ Suggests ‘the BCAA, if the - eee

‘top surface is bubbled or =
_ cracked; if there is excessive
corrosion on the terminals; if -
the’ cells require’ frequent -
water refills and: recharging;

if the headlights ‘dim when :

the engine idles; or if the ©
engine cranks slowly i in cold :

weather.

For honest estimates and advice,

call John Lockwood.

e Tune-Ups
e Brakes
-@ Carburetion ;
@ Exhaust system ink
Norm e ‘General maintenance Heint
\ be 7 | Marine Dr.
e e your persona ,
t us y p F
mechanics - | S| Hollands a
830 West 1st St., — g88-601U W 4st :

. *INSPECT AIR FILTER.

~
~.

S| FREEZE EXTRA)

-* GHECK IGNITION TIMING

a. '*LUBE HOOD LATCH &H

985-0591

1 Me |
q Ho -

|. 4Gal. antifreeze installed

. 1189 West 16th St.
oo NA Vancouver.

aa (one. block south |
“of Marine Drive)

“Winterizing § Special!

.s CHANGE ENGINE OIL (4 QTS OlL INCLUDED)
* *REPLACE OILFILTER (FILTERINCLUDED)  ._
“INSPECT EXHAUST SYSTEM CONDITION
m  *CHECK TRANSMISSION & DIFFERENTIAL FLUIDS.
“INSPECT STEERING & SUSPENSION COMPONENTS
B *CHECK FLUID LEVEL IN BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER |

“.* PRESSURE TEST RADIATOR & INSPECT ALL HOSES .

” “* TEST ANTI-FREEZE STRENGTH
“INSTALL ANTIEREEZE COOLANT IF NECESSARY (ANT

owe Ask about our other specials with this service only

Cooling 8) system, Pressure,

~ just ‘off Pemberton:
_ Open: Saturdays

” «INSPECT DRIVE BELTS AND HOSES _ .
_ “CHECK WINDSHIELD WIPERS & WASHERS
[LOAD TEST BATTERY & ADJUST BATTERY FLUID LEVEL

B. *CHECK TIRE PRESSURE & ADJUST
a. .*LUBE SERVICE (WHERE APPLICABLE)

a =©* LUBE DOOR HINGES & STRIKER PLATES
-. “LUBE DOOR & TRUNK LOCKS
B  *CHECK ALL LIGHTS FOR CORRECT OPERATION |
“*CHECK EMERGENCY BRAKE OPERATION |. - '
“ROAD TEST FOR VEHICLE PERFORMANCE |

, : Genuine. Toyota Parts |

_ Come to CAPILANO TOYOTA where
we know TOYOTA'S Best!

Phone for an appoiniment
a)

‘oF 984-9304

4h a AR a ASN A LE ine meoramri WAKA RPO BASRA

w

“included with this service

you will racelve ane |

ra)
Toyota § car care products

ONLY 99 bd 95

_ Plus Tax
Offer Expires
Nov. 30, 1978

mem GQ;

Toyota Service
1765 Marine Drive, .
_North Vancouver