options Air Conditioning. The first question. to seriously ask yourself when considering . this option should be “Do I really need it?” Air con- ditioning is one of the most expensive options available for: most cars; ranging in price from. $400 to $850 extra, and it also éosts heavily in terms of increased fuel consumption. On smaller engines the fuel penalty is even greater, but if you get the large engine to cope with the A/C you lose there as well. Some A/C units don’t circulate fresh air properly which can cause a build up of carbon monoxide—a potentially dangerous situation while driving. Some cars with factory air conditioning may also have heavier front springs to cope with the extra weight. Air conditioners operating at maximum output can increase fuel consumption up to 10 per cent in highway driving and as much as 20 per cent in stop and go traffic. Even when the unit is not operating the extra 100 Ib. weight or so results in increased fuel consumption. | The federal government has added a tax of $100 to any car equipped with air conditioning. ¢ Tinted Glass: For $40 - $70 extra. your car can be equipped with tinted glass. Though it docs keep cars cooler, and lowers driver cye strain in bright sun, it also reduced visibility at night. You may find that a good pair of sunglasses will do a similar job. * Automatic Speed Control: With this $70 to $120 option you can set your cruising speed and take your foot off the gas and relax. Jn terms of fucl economy, it*may reduce consumption on long trips by maintaining a constant, even speed. However, it also may lull the driver into inattention and lengthen reaction time in an emergency. e Tune-Ups e Brakes e Carburetion e Exhaust system Heini Norm e General maintenance ein . “ Marine Dr Let us be your personal : ° a \Wootca uw mechanics 3 | z= Hollands 830 Wost tat St 386-5010 ‘® Power Windows and Seats: These options are initially expensive; ‘tequire added energy input to manufacture; are mechanically compli- cated and therefore suscepti- ble to breakdown and expen- sive to repair; add extra weight to the car; and usually necessitate a high out-put alternator which extracts extra energy from the engine and thereby reduces fuel ecofiomy. ; ¢ Rear Window Defogger: For Canadian winters, this option should be. standard in all cars. ¢ Fuel Economy Reminders: These are gadgets (manifold vacuum gauge) which allow you to determine how much fuel your car is using at any given time. There aré useful, but driving with a light foot may be just as beneficial in terms of fuel economy. Packages: e =u Instrument ‘Some models offer the choice between instruments and “idiot lights’’. The instru- ments give detailed informa- tion concerning oil pressure, water and oil temperatures, charging rate, engine speed and so on. These are generally more useful than “idiot lights."* ¢ Exterior Trim Strips: These are chrome/vinyl — strips placed along the’ widest portions of the car's sides. They are useful in preventing paint chips in parking lots which, can be useful in preventing the beginning of rust. However, they are often offered only as part of a more expensive, trim package which you may not want in its entirety. Outside trim also adds to wind resistance. ¢ Heavy Duty Suspension: This stronger suspension system will improve handling characteristics and last lton- ger than the standard one. The added weight is minimal and cost nominal, © Vinyl Roof: This expensive plastic roof performs no Hollands From Energy Mines and Resources Canada ore new car > useful function and can be quite expensive. e Undercoating: Under- coating is often applied as part of a sound-deadening package. It is useful for that purpose. Do not mistake a sound-deadening undercoa- ting for rust_proofing. It also adds significantly to the weight of the car. e Rust Proofing: In areas where salt is used exten- sively in winter, rustproofing can be a useful option. It can extend the life of the car (by reducing rust perforation) thereby reducing the energy requirements for making more new cars. Make sure a_ written guarantee (5 years) accompa- nies any rustproofing job. Many problems have arisen recently because of sloppy and improper applications. The work is difficult if not impossible to check up on. ® Quartz Head Lamps: If you do a lot of night driving on dark unlit roads, these are useful options as they signi- ficantly increase night visibi- lity. (Some regulations exist restricting their use, check with your provincial govern- ment.) © Electric Gadgets: Any additional electric accessor- ies take power from the engine and may require a high output alternator. This Auto Repair tent Southeart of Woolco eee ar W tst extra load on the engine and extra weight increases fuel consumption... * Block Heaters: These are useful not only to assist in cold starting but they also reduce fuel consumption by allowing you to start out with a semi-warm engine. However, they need not be plugged in all night long; two or three hours before start- up time is all that is really needed. Since you probably won't want to get out of bed at5:00 a.m. to plug the car in, you can solve the problem by adding a timer which automatically turns the block heater on at a predetermined time. ° Sun Roof: This option is expensive but can reduce the need for an air conditioner. However open sunroofs also increase wind resistance thereby reducing fuel eco- nomy at highway speeds. ——m ————— ii 1978 Toyota Corolla 2 Door — _—— BANK FINANCING 0.A.C. Formula 400 DLR No. O2141A Datsun, Toyota, Mazda & Honda “Quality Service Assured"’ -. 986-5122 Japanese Auto Specialists JANUARY CLEARANCE! USED CARS ALL AUTOMATICS Pressure fest & cooling system analysis! (1975) LTD. WE KEEP A GOOD THING GOING Complete Body & Mechanical Repairs 1519 Clyde Marine at 15th West Vancouver in Ambleside 922-3231 1189 West 16th St. N. Vancouver (one block south of Marine Drive) just off Pemberton” BCAA APPROVED TOYOTA CARS es. SALES OPEN 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ~~, NEW | | & TRUCKS PARTS & SERVICE OPEN SATURDAYS! ~~ 1973 1973 Firebird Toyota Corolla 2 Door TOYOTA INC. 1765 MARINE DRIVE, PHONE 985-0591 NORTH VANCOUVER ; se Ae SD