IT may surprise you, but automobile recy- cling is more successful than curbside recycling of newspapers or glass ttles. In fact, cars are one of today’s most recycled prod- ucts with an average recycling rate during the past 10 years of almost 98%. According to a_ recent study conducted by the Steel Recycling Institute, approxi- mately one out of every five consumers now recognize the automobile as America’s most recycled prod- uct, almost double from a pre- vious survey in 1997. “For years, research has indicated that people mistak- enly perceived aluminum bev- erage cans and newspapers as being the most recycled con- sumer products,” expiains Bill Heenan, president of the Steel Recycling Institute, a member of TheSteelAlliance. “It appears as though the auto- mobile is finally getting its due.” Steel is the engine that dri- ves automotive recycling. In 1998, more than 13 million tons of steel were recycled from automobiles. That’s enough steel to build more than 12 million new family-size vehicles. Much of the recovered steel is recycled into high-strength steel sheets, the fastest growing light-weight material used in the automotive industry. Steel has long been the most recycled material in the world. More than 67 million tons of steel scrap are recycled each year. In fact, more steel is recycled than aluminum, plas- tic, glass and paper combined. As an end result, recycling steel scrap also saves landfill space and natural resources. TheSteclAlliance is an organization of more than 130 North American steel producers and affiliated orga- nizations that have joined together in an unprecedented industry-wide coalition to educate consumers about the benefits of steel. For more information about steel, visit . — News Canada Rebuilding your engine can make sense A “reman” engine is an engine that has been remanufactured or rebuilt, either on an assembly line, or at a local engine rebuilding shep (also known as a machine shop). : How do you know if you should consider having your engine rebuilt if something goes wrong? You may want to consider the following factors. ’ The average price of a new car is‘over $22,000 and the average price of a new truck is more than $31,000. Today, vehicles last much longer than in the 1970s. Duting the 1990s the average * vehicle in Canada was driven over 225,000 kilometres before being retired, com- _pared to only 150,000 km during the ’70s. Between the increase in car prices, and the increased __ life span of a vehicle, replac- ‘ing a worn-out engine may be an cconomic and worthwhile option. If your current vehicle is in pretty good shape, except for your engine, it makes even more sense. Another factor to consider is that car insurance for an older vehicle with a rebuilt engine will be considerably less than the insurance need- ed for a.new car. Recycling or remanufac- turing your engine costs about 10% of the cost of a new car. You can have 2 remanufactured engine installed for between $1,800 and $3,000. An engine from a quality machine shop should give you tens of thousands of kilome- tres and years of additional dependable carefree driving. It doesn’t matter how worn out er old your current engine is, remanufacturing it or getting a remanufactured - engine installed, will mean it performs as well as, or even better than the original engine. All of the components that go into a rebuilt-engine are either new or machined to the precise standards and specifi- cations of the original car manufacturer. And there may be an added = bonus, — engine rebuilders typically install upgraded components to eliminate known problems, like overheating and oil leaks, that may exist in the design of the original engine. The typical new compo- nents in a rebuilt engine include: gaskets; piston rings; valve lifters; camshaft(s); oil pump; oil seals; timing chain(s), gears, and belt; con- nected rod bearings; main bearings; pistons; valve train components; and camshaft bearings. Components that are remachined include valves, valve seats, valve guides, con- necting rods, crankshafts, cylinder block, and cylinder head(s). You should also consider the following: new spark plugs, new air filter, new water pump, new hoses and belts, new motor mounts, oil change and filter, new ther- mostat, new anti-freeze and a new fuel fiiter. Also, when as rebuilt engine is installed, the fuel, ignition and cooling systems are normally checked to ensure that every thing under the hoad is in excellent work- ing condition. A rebuilt engine should come with a written warranty — don’t forget to ask for it. Any type of engine can be rebuilt, and rebuilding an engine is environmentally friendly too! To determine. whether a rebuilt engine is a - potential answer to your car troubles, be sure to talk to an automotive service technician that you trust. While your technician probably won't be the one rebuilding the engine, since that is a highly skilled talent performed by experts, they should be able to help you determine whether or not it is worthwhile in your case, and they probably know some of the professionals you’ need to do a top notch job. . photo Piretl MORE than 10% of the weight of these Pirelli P Zero Rosso tires is steel wire that can be recycled back into new steel — maybe even for new tires. Putting a new Spin on tire recycling CAR tires are going out for a new spin — one that gives them use long after their days as tires are over. By recovering the steel wire used to make tires stronger, up to 99% of the average passenger car tire can now be captured for recycling. ; Tires were initially recycled for their rubber content, which is chipped, ground and/or melted into products such as asphalt and playground padding, as well as tire- derived fuel. But thanks to advances in technology, recy- cling steel tire wire is also an environmentally responsible means of collecting a high quality source of steel scrap and conserving landfill space. . . Tire wire scrap is used to make new steel. In 1997 alone, the steel wire from nearly 24 million tires was recy- cled into everyday home products such as steel soup cans and appliances, lifesaving car components such as brakes, steering components and safety cages — or back into tires. The average passenger tite contains approximately 10% steel wire by weight, which helps make the tire stronger and more rigid. Each year, several hundred thousand tons of steel is used to reinforce tires in North America. — News Canada - | SST (SP Better Business Bureau member | Specialisis i © Replacement cars ® Written guarantee © State-ofthe-art equipment | © Skilled technicians -© All collision repairs handled prompily MI Additional to our already comprehensive diagnostis equipment. Introd: scing : diagnostic tool, SIMUTECH, by Edge Diagnostics, This a i oe id beeen meas