”.. dulta Crawford Contributing Writer ‘Does winter conjure. up images of couples geting cosy by the fire, or of cars stranded in three feet of dirty snow on an abandoned highway? if it’s the latter, don’t panic. Here are some steps you can take to ensure that your car is running in peak condition this winter, so you make it home safely. 152 ~ labour Keeping your wipers clean is the simplest thing you can do to ensure good vision while dri- ving. Just take a glass cleaner and 2 soft cloth when you're washing the car, or once a week, says Clark Lawson, owner of Ist Street Garage (834 W. Ist St.) in North Vancouver. In rainy Vancouver, you: can only expect about a season's worth. of peak performance from your wiper blades, which accumulate dirt and grime from your windshield. | ses - SBQes 25 point CAA Approved check. | Most vehicles, labour only f 1 Streaking and a_ gradual breakdown of the rubber blade means it’s past time to invest in a new set. Don’t forget to tailor your windshield washer fluid to the season: a summer mix contains more detergent to remove bugs and insects; winter fluid acts like an anti-freeze, and will pre- vent freezing while cleaning the windshield. Plain old tap water won’t cut it, says Clark. “it’s pretty. hard, same as the rainwater.” You need the right mix of win- 4 WORTH SHORE PARTS: ter washer fluid and water. Hold the shampoo With today’s electronics, it’s very important that there’s no moisture and grime splashed onto the terminals, connectors and sensors. Newer, fuel-injected cars rarely need a steam cleaning or engine shampoo. Corputers and other _—_ technological advances have made driving easier, but they’re finicky about moisture. Avoid headaches by avoid- PV Aube Parts Plus “TALK 70 OUR AUTO PARTS PROFESSIONAL” ing these areas if you must clean under the hood. If you want to get out a localized spili on the engine, “spotclean” it. Cover up sensi- tive areas with plastic and iso- late the area that needs clean- ing. : Headiighis Keep them clean for maxi- mu.a visibility, for you and other drivers, in weather. Headlights cake: it, slush and road grime are ineffective. Moisture trapped in halo- gen headlights can be down-... fight og armel oisture gets in throu; or wOrn-catt sealant, or a chip in the light assembiy itself. = Your lights will burn out quickly and the bulbs them selves have been known ‘t explode. If you spot any mois ture inside the rapsules th should be rescaled or replaced. immediately, Battery See Year-round page 40 NORTH SHGRE OFF-ROAD CENTRE Richmond St. “Wi North Van, Phone: 988-71 lebsite: WWW.nSOr.cor BFGocdrich (14% off} Fes _- Purchased or Installed. So a le 0 OO ee ee ee ee