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A6 Instead, use a mild detergent specially formulated for car finish- es. Use a mitt or a soft sponge to wash the car and rinse it frequently to get rid of dirt that could scratch the paint. Wax or polish is a must for keeping your car safe from the elements. Frequent vacuuming of carpets and cloth seats will help maintain the condition of the car's interior, which goes a long way toward determining its resale value. Vinyl seats should be cleaned, then wiped down with a vinyl protectant peri- odically. Saddle soap is best for keeping leather seats soft and pli- able. The dashboard and other inte- rior areas should be cleaned using the appropriate cleaning products for the material, and a protectant can be used to deter fading and cracking. THE OUTSIDE Wash your car frequently but never use harsh soaps or dishwash- ing detergents as they will remove the wax, polish and protective layer from your car's paint. "Oil is the lifeblood of the engine, so the most important thing you can do for your car is change the oil and filter regularly," says Hudecki. "lf you do not take care of your engine, you can bet it will not be ready to perform when you need it." Above and beyond the exterior is the engine, where routine car maintenance is a must. However, many car owners have poor track records when it comes to taking care of their cars. A test of nearly 13,000 North American cars revealed that 3I per cent were at least one litre low on motor oil. When the worst of winter is over, take your car to a car wash and thoroughly wash the underside to eliminate the corrosive road salt used to melt snow. * _ pring cleaning can give S more than your house a new lease on life Your car should be just as important a part of that ancient annual ritual. Actually, it's a good idea to do this periodically throughout the year. When the car is clean, check for spots where its protective under- coating has been eaten away by road salt or chipped by rocks and have them repaired as soon as pos- sible. "A well-maintained car is actual- ly like a triangle with three sides," says Norm Hudecki. director of technical services for Valvoline, Inc., one of the world's leading motor oil manufacturers. "Careful attention to your car's three sides - the outside, the inside and the underside - will lead to improved performance, longer wear and greater resale value." Think of an automobile tune-up as your car's annual physical - and spring is as good a time as any to schedule a complete maintenance check-up. You can do the check-up yourself or take your car to a pro- fessional, but either way you should ensure that your spring tune-up fol- lows this ll-point check list: . Change motor oil and oil filter (SW30 or 10W30 motor oils are recommended but check your owner's manual for the exact grade recommended); . Check and change air filter; . Check all belts and hoses to make sure they are in good condi- tion; . Check all reservoirs, including brake, transmission and power steering, for the correct amount of fluid; . Tune up car and make sure all electrical systems are operating properly; q Check tires for correct pressure and for signs of abnormal wear (tires that do not wear properly Could result in poor gas mileage at best and a dangerous blowout at worst); . Check exhaust system; -. Check windshield wiper blades and fill wiper fluid reservoir; . Check engine coolant level for correct concentration of fluid; . Check air-conditioning system to make sure it is not leaking, is properly charged with refrigerant and is operating properly; ' Check that hazard lights are working and that you have the equipment needed in the event of trouble: jumper cables; spare tire; tool kit; fire extinguisher; flash- light; first-aid kit; and flares. With a little time and know-how, Get your car ready for spring, summer me Automotive - Wedne THE UNDERSIDE rm THE INSIDE n u ide and nm le " m okin day, June ll Ive ike 1 993 1990 ASTRO VAN . _gitgiglMlMfilflpMillgi4lt 5&de W " 1 arq _ A " d 1991 CHEV. ASTRO LT Stock #UE616 Leather interior Power Moon RC Low kms h Moon Roof Loaded #UE AT THE Q.E.W., OAKVILLE S15.999 1992 LUMINA EURO SPORT fog [and 1991 all ASTRO "i/lil/if 'StkUUES98 tt lh It N tiihtit 97/4/2377: L844-2320 _rriiliji] $10.995 'lf 900 . AM, casy f . 78m 1992 CAVALIER ll J24 Pea fd /Ka 1992 CHEV ASTRO , , 7S/l Onlv Stk #UE63' Auto 4-Door, Air AM/FM h assette It. Cruise ly ilt'//ott oo kn ass kn Mum ls ft 5% Pmise . s14.595 . 344/9; We WS 1990 OLDS CALAIS 1990 CM SAFARI (v t' ft 7/06 tot., Stk. #UE632 2-Door, Extended Pl, pw. AM/ FM cassette Tilt Tilt, Cruise Alum. wheels Auto, vless entry aiitiA Joi) kms