22 - Wednesday, February 13, 1985 -- North Shore News

Car Market

Tips on getting
the car started

LOWER MAINLAND residents, experiencing one
-of the: coolest: and snowiest winters in recent
memory, are finding themselves the victims of
automotive problems more often associated with
the interior and Northern regions of the province.

Among the most common
are those associated with the
electrical system.

The battery is just one part
of an automobile’s electrical
system. Just because a car
starts sluggishly — or doesn’t
start at all — doesn’t always
mean the battery is the
culprit.

Some other electrical com-
ponent might be draining the

. battery. of power.A: faulty ©
alternator, cables ‘and ter- !
minals:— even something as.

‘innocent as a belt — can all
interfere.with a car’s starting
ability.

- 1. Battery. Most battery
failures. are caused by pro-
_-blems ‘in other. parts. of the

‘should still’ check to be sure
your battery has the electrical
fe

‘electrical. system. . But, - you.

need a replacement, install a
unit with at feast as much
starting power as the original
equipment battery as shown

‘in the car manual. If you

want added starting in-
surance, choose a battery
with a higher cold cranking
rating.

2. Worn or loose fan belts
can slip, causing a voltage
shortage to the battery. The

@rives for your. alternator,

water pump and other

systems must be maintained

at all times. You or your ser-
viceman can visually check
for glazing, cracking, splits,
oil and contamination.

But, because of the types

“of belts found on most cars |
‘even the best of. ~

today,
echanics, can’t always spot

failing belt. So, as arule of

humb, if your’ belts are four:

yo FROM EUROPE, EXCLUSIVELY:
‘ FORTHE CAR CONNOISSEUR :

“Elegance and exclusivity.

“areas,
5. "Vottage” Regulator. A.
-.faatty voltage regulator will
over or undercharge the bat
*, tery, possibly shortening bat- -
tery. life: Under-voltage and
ver-Voltage checks”. are-
“essential for’ determining: if
it paery -will stay charged

simply not a vatid statement.
The ability to crank the
engine efficiently without
draining the battery, but with
enough speed to start the car,
is measured with an
amperage draw test.

If problems with your
starter are indicated, trouble
spots can be pinpointed with
ground circuit or insulated
circult resistance tests.

4. Alternator. An
amperage output test should
be done on your car's alter-
nator to determine if your
alternator is performing well
enough to keep the battery
charged and serve the needs
of other electrical systems.

Defective alternators will
not supply enough voitage to
recharge the battery. When
necessary, full field voltage
and" circuit. resistance tests

-help isolate problem

-“battery - could

; yverheat. ‘When.

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P
meticulous craftsmanship. ;
Distinguished clegance, optimum
comfort — and ntaximum - :

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tv. One r park:

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~

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SAVE $3#

on your next

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¢ no appointment necessary
* install new oil, up to 5 litres

(Esso HDX 10/30)

e install oil filter
¢ complete chassis lubrication
2 16 point safety check
© takes 5 to 10 minutes
© reg. $19.95

$169

most cars &.

light trucks

Brand new products used on all cars, light trucks and
Offer wr oxpires March * 1986, Es