~ Spring fix-up B12 - Wednesday, March 28, 1984 - North Shore News The joys of spring! Putting the lewn back in shape, pain- ting the fence ‘and getting we’ve thought about all winter. a Then, suddenly, it’s vaca tion travel time and the fami- ly car still hasn’t had its fa share of attention. It’s still ramming on dirty winter oil, snow tires and winter-weary spark plugs. The cooling system needs Longer periods between oil changes mean fewer opportu- nities for the car to come under the close scrutiny of a professional mechanic. Futher, says the Council, many people are stretching to the limit the intervals bet- ween essential maintenance A relatively mild winter will encourage people to put off such work as cooling System service and engine their cars until something goes wrong. “*Most people are now re- pairing systems only when breakdown occurs,”” said one independent garage owner. ‘“*Eighty per cent of customers are postponing all services until breakdown at this time,’’ said another. Survey after survey bears out the fact that people are complacent about the _ Maintenance of their cars,’’ 1. CAR CARE QUIZ Car troubles can be deceiving. It often takes an astute, well equipped technician to track down the real culprit when a problem arises. Try your hand at trouble In each case all but one answer are correct. a) A burned-out bulb sa spring e) Your wheels need aligning f) Your wheels are out of balance If your tum signal doesn’t flash properly, the If the tread on your tires is wearing unevenly, it wipers have seen better days. Sound familiar? Surveys point to a growing degree of vehicle neglect, says Car Care Council. Self-serve gas sta- tions continue to gain ity, but customers are reluctant to lift their cars’ hoods. 32 years on the North i Bring your wh NOR-EST RADIATORS 4-- 1175 W 14th St. North Van tune-up, says the Council, and the penalty for vehicle cle maintenance habits, members of Automotive Ser- vice Councils concurred that most people tend to drive THINGS ARE GOING TO BE HEATING UP! im for it’ SPECIALIZING IN: Antique and Exotic Restorations Rust Repairs Welding and Brazing, sheet metal tnctuding all hand and machine sanding. All masking and materials. Four coats of acrylic $385.00 f2 216 East § splanade North Vancouver 6 C. al reat 985 7302 says Car Care Council Presi-- dent Arthur H. Nellen. ““We believe it is essential to remind motorists who plan vacation driving to spend the necessary time and money to have their cars property ser- viced before leaving on a highway trip.”’ 984-0374 britranmee KURT HOLZERMAYR — PROPRIETOR Separate bass & treble * Fits imposts *FM optimizer b) A bad connection c) A burned-out fuse d) Your flasher does not work ¢e) Ignition switch is defective f) A defective turn signal switch The reasons your car may be a gas-eater are... . a) Low tire pressure b) Dirty carburetor air filter c) Improper brake adjustment d) Your engine needs a tune-up e) Incorrect fan belt tension f) Worn piston rings or valves The reasons your brakes may grab or pull are . . a) You ride the brake pedal d) Faulty wheel cylinder e) Restriction in a brake hose f) Incorrect wheel alignment A battery goes dead because .. . a) Of old age b) The alternator has failed c) You run it down with the starter d) The alternator belt is loose e) Of a short circuit f) You drive too fast too long ANSWERS TO CAR CARE QUIZ 1. All but “‘B”’ 2. All but “‘E”’ 4. All but “‘A”’ 5. All but “‘F’’ ay Couplete with separate 75 watt per chame! acy GET THE RACE- PROVEN TIRE THAT ePIC AUDIO LID. MAKES CARS PERFORM. f your car ss deargned for the APEX TIRE CO. LTD. 735 Marine Dr. NV 988-5415 Block and a halt East of Captiano Mall “blade ““wears out’”” The first parts likely to need replacement on a new car are the wiper blades. Sometimes they’ve lost their wiping ability before the owner takes delivery. The rubber part of the more from the elements than from actual use. When a car sits for a long period of time on the dealer’s lot, the natural rubber deteriorates from the rays of the sun and from con- taminants in the air. The blades turn brittle. Even under normal condi- tions windshield wiper blades have a life expectancy only from six months to a year. After that period they may begin to streak and smear. In a recent survey of 462 Automotive Service Council members, these repair shop owners reported car owners delaying windshield wiper blade replacement far beyond the safety point. Their recommended replacement interval was an- nual; but their customers are waiting over twice that long to replace wiper biades, most of them putting it off until the wipers don’t work. Riding on that extra six months of ‘‘borrowed time’”’ can be a very real safety hazard. Transmission — time is here A warning is directed to motorists who have been in- undated with snow this winter, especially those who may have been abusing their transmissions when stuck in the snow. One of the major causes for transmission damage 1s excessive wheel-spmnning and rocking in the snow. The damage is caused by the fluid overheating and by wear of chutch surfaces. It’s casy to determine if you may have a problem. The appearance and odor of bur- ning transmission fluid is un- mistakable. The red fluid turns brown and has a burn- ed smell. Motorists in snowbeit arcas should remove the transmission dipstick and check its condition. If symp toms suggest overheating has occurred, have the transmis sion oil changed and filter replaced to prevent further damage to the transmission