33 - Friday, March 30, 1990 - North Shore News Tow boat safely Mew automobile designs affect braking systems A FIRST-RATE boat skipper should be as good at handling his rig when it’s on a trailer as he is when it’s in the water. Remember the following precautions whenever you're towing your boat on a trailer. * Avoid sudden stops. Always allow exira following distance. elf you are passed, air tur- bulence from a large vehicle will push the trailer to the side. Don’t brake. This gust will move along the trailer immediately and will tend to correct the sway. If you are not traveling at the average speed of traffic on the highway, pul! over at the first safe chance to allow others that may be following to pass. © When passing, remember that the trailer adds weight and will reduce acceleration. With this in mind, more room is needed for overtaking. Always change lanes smoothly to avoid whipping the trailer. © Trailer wheels and car wheels do not follow in the same path. One must steer wider on corners and the trailer will stay clear of the curb or other vehicles. On curves, stay well on your side of the centre line. ® Practise backing manoeuvres in an open area. When backing, do not rush. Remember that the trail- er will turn in the opposite direc- tion to the car. To make the trailer go to the left, turn the steering wheel to the right. elf a car engine should ever overheat, do not remove the tadiator cap. Have the engine idle rapidly to increase air flow. Remember to shut off your air conditioner until the idling temperature returns to normal. Cold water should not be poured over or into a hot engine. Transmission coolers are recom- mended for towing heavy loads, for long distances, or during hot periods, * Prepare your boat for laun- ching at the top of the ramp or parking facility. Remove ail tie- down straps, check boat plugs, and fasten the bow line. Never leave the towing vehicle unattended on the ramp with only the parking brake set. If the vehicle must be left while on the ramp, set the transmission in ‘‘park’’ or first gear. Write down accident details From page 31 have jotted down notes describing what you and the others involved did. Write it down Part of your written obzerva- tions should include the type of toad the accident occurred on, what sort of shape it was in, weather conditions and if they contributed to the accident, whether it was night or day, foggy or clear, and how heavy the traffic in the area was. in fact, anything that might have some bearing on the outcome of the trial. Of course, the best advice is to attempt to avoid accidents altogether, by practising defensive driving skills. But, sometimes even your best efforts aren't enough to keep you out of trouble. And in such cases, it helps to know what to do. Get ready for Summer Tune your Mazda! SPRING & SUMMER TUNE-UP Replace engine oil & filtersTop up all fluid levels. Wash & clean car. 95 Plus parts MOST MAZDA CARS & LIGHT TRUCKS FREE 20 POINT pis SAFETY INSPECTION 12, Exhaust system 13. Steering linkage 14. Drivesnaft & universal joints 15. Front & rear suspension 16 Shock absorbers, 17. Tiresftread wear 18. Belts 19. Brakes 20. Test drive comments 1 Battery cables & connections 2 Coolant strengin 3 Radiator hoses 4 Heater hoses 5 Ail oil jevers 6 All tuid tevels 7 All lights 8 Fuel filter 9 Air cleaner fitter 10 P.C.V. valve 11 Windshield wiper blades COMPLETE OVERHAULS Mazda Parts & Accesscries ¥ Specialized j Mazda Service ¢ ENGINES ¢ TRANSMISSIONS ¢ CLUTCHES e SHOCKS From page 32 flow to lower the ‘‘drag’’ factor, and the trend towards smaller, wider tires, can lead to higher brake fluid temperatures in the wheel cylinder area. © Semi-metallic pads now used for disc brakes can transfer heat much more readily than asbestos pads and increase brake fluid temperatures by as much as 50°F under severe operating conditions. A brake fluid must perform ef- fectively on a moment’s notice. This performance is critical to safe brake operation, and must not be compromised by vehicle/brake system design or by driving condi- tions. Today’s cars need a brake fluid that can handle new sources of ‘*brake system stress.”’ VAPOR LOCK Vapor lock is a loss of braking power, caused when brake fluid begins to turn to vapor when it teaches its boiling point. Unlike a liquid, vapors are highly compressible. As a brake fiuid becomes more compressible, it loses its ability to transmit the force necessary to effectively stop the automobile. Loss of response to pedal pressure or even total brake failure can result. Brake fluids are classified as DOT 3 or DOT 4 by the Depart- ment of Transportation. Both types possess a natural tendency to absorb water. Water absorption lowers the brake fluid boiling point, leaving your brake system more susceptible to vapor lock. The frictional components in the brake system generate very signifi- cant amounts of heat, especially in vehicles driven in mountainous regions, those that haul trailers or that are loaded with family and luggage. The addition of an un- braked trailer can increase brake fluid temperatures by as much as 50°F. DOT 4 fluids, like DOT 3, have Low Moisture Activity or LMA — an improved ability to resist boil- ing. A DOT 4 fluid with LMA becomes essential in assuring safe brake operation, especially under severe operating conditions. DOT 3 fluids cannot guarantee the same degree of antivapor lock protection for your car's braking system as a DOT 4 fluid can. “Whitey Glover” says ... it’s s time forthat spring... Most North American cars & light trucks. Greg Mcintosh Laurie Peterson “Paul Hubert = _WEST 15TH White Glove *“Automotive™ White Glove Automotive Ltd. “1141 West 15th Street, North Vancouver Specializing in GM, Cadillac, domestic & import 986-1114