WHEN THE sun starts beating - down, we all look fora place in the shade. But if you're in a car stuck in a uaffic jam on a bright sunny day. shade is about as rare as a lemonade stand. Well, almost. Tinted windows are seen by many as the answer to keeping cool. Tinted, or darkened, windows work much fike sunglasses.— they take the glare out of your view, und filter UV rays. The energy of the sunlight that strikes a windshield breaks down this way: 44% visible light, 3% radiation in the ultraviolet range, and 53% infrared radiation, cr heat. ; In addition to assisting a driver's vision, tinted windows keep: the interior temperature. of a vehicle down, which in turn eases the strain on the air-conditioner and thus improves gas mileage. The ultimate window. however, isn’t just a filter ——- it should work more like the human eye, blocking light in the heat of day : and allowing more light in when it’s dark. Your ‘average tinted window (stock or ’ after-market) may not be capable of doing such feats yet, but researchers at Ford are well on the way to creat- ing just such a window. Through a process called elec- trochromics — in which a group of chemicals that can change color when an electric current is applied —researchers have created a “bion- ic window” that can ‘change from _ Clear to almost black in seconds. — Andrew McCredie Why trucks aren’t front- wheel-drive From page 23 would suffer from an extremely unbalanced weight between front and back, causing poor handiing and breking.. .. In fact, braking under a no-load- . condition with this type of set-up can become absolutely dangerous. Because all the weight is in the front, the vehicle’s rear end will swing out easily during braking and can subsequently cause an accident (especially under slippery condi- tions). Simply put, weight balance is a very important part of vehicle's dynamics and in the case of front- wheel-drive trucks, it just doesn't . work. Other reasons for not producing front-wheel-drive trucks include engineering costs, space limita- tions, and lack of demand from the consumers. Car companies are “offering four-wheel-drive options instead, which makes a lot more sense since you now have all four :, wheels working to achieve traction _on the road. So chances are you will never see a front-wheel-drive wack again. David Chao answers questions monthly in the North Shore News. If you have questions about new cars or how to take care of thes, WTite tO: m David Chao - #200-2150 West Broadway Vancouver, B.C. V6K 419 Fax: 736-1519 NEWS photo Mike Waketield TRIMEINE DESIGN’ s Jason Shelefontiuk applies a window tint COMPLETE SPRING DETAILING PACKAGE YOU'LL GET ALL OF THIS: vf Engine Shampooed / Wheels & Mags Cleaned v Capers; Seats & Trunk Cleaned & Shampooed “Clean Door Jambs & Rubber Moldings / Fabric Protection “Windows & Mirrors Headliners & Dash ¢# Dash, Vinyl & Tires Treated ¥ Clean Inside & Air Ducts - ¢ Blow Out All Hidden Crevices / Lubricate Door Locks MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY! BASHIR'S AUTO DETAILING CENTRE | | 987- 4075 (ENTRANCE FROM ALLEY) 987-2921 721 WEST 14TH ST, N. VAN. -BESIDE REGENCY NISSAN Inje.tor cleaning kit used in servicing i ihe injection system of your engine can clean these harmful deposi to ger you vehicle motoring the way it should. Reg pte S98 itechates Pars & foto! fases func «eg one SH 95 ilecbces Past d Iabowet “Complete Exterior Hand Wax | Service All Brakes, Deglaze Ratots & Drums, Pads & Shoes and adjust os necessary. Apply sntiseize compound to coliper slides cad fiordware. Top up fluid os fui record percentage semaining, Friday, March 24, 1995 — AUTOMOTIVE “repairs to domestic & imports" “Your Honda North Shore News - 27 Si. SERVICE CENTRE #50520 1124 W. 15 St., N Van. 988-7671 ‘BY YOUR TRANSMISSION! We're a new alternative to the overpriced, big chain transmission shops. We are a locally owned and oper- | ated transmission specialist offering excellent service | at lower prices We will save you mone | 364 B EAST ESPLANADE, N.VAN. e tobe AY Door Hinges & Locks * Check Battery & Charging System © Inspect & Rowote Ties Change Ou/titter © Road Test Wheel Angnment wer, © Check Fluid tevels Wa gatancice mir © Inspect All Hoses : © Prassue lest Cooling System © Check. taghts @ Insect Windshield Wipers @ Inspect Brakes ty wie SIR Inspect Exhoust System anders lana Ooi ® Check Dive Betts Pua § ken fone EXPIRES MARCH 3