Wednesday, May 19, 1999 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER D7 The technology of squirting EFI. TBI. MPI. It all sounds so impressive, but all it means is how you go about squirting gasoline into your engine so you can go for a drive. Almost all engines are fuel inject ed now (EFI--electronic fuel injec tion). Some are injected at a single point in the intake manifold (TBI-- throttle body injection), while some have more injectors to get the fuel distribution among the cylinders as even as possible (MPI--multi-point injection). Each fuel injector opens and clos es to squirt fuel into the engine thou sands of times per second. It's all con trolled by the engine's computer, which is why the engine management system is so important to how well your car runs. Today's computers are so smart that they can monitor the ignition tim ing, exhaust temperature and oxygen content, engine load and make adjust ments as needed to keep the car run ning at its most fuel efficient. High fuel efficiency also translates into low exhaust emission. Typically, fuel injectors for a multi-point system are located along a rail to position them for optimum fuel distribution. Because there are several, each one only injects a little fuel--so the outlet hole is tiny. This hole can get clogged, causing rough idle and inefficient driving. Usually, this happens if you make a lot of short trips or leave your car idling. Sometimes, you can clean the injectors out by taking the car out on the highway and driving at highway speeds for 30 kilometres or so. All the major gasoline marketers sell gasoline that has detergents and injector cleaners added to keep fuel- injected cars operating cleanly and efficiently. However, if you take a lot of short trips, it's a good idea to help these cleaners along by adding some fuel system cleaners, available at all automotive stores. These products will keep the injectors and valves clean, eliminating stalling and hesitation, rough idling and engine knock. Service Clinic. Ensure that your Audi is at peak performance. Call today to reserve your personal appointment time. Clinic Dates: Mon., May 17 to Fri., May 21 Clinic Times: 9:00am to 4:00pm Phone: (905) 844-3285 nome. A u d i O akville Volksw agen But the similarities don't stop on the outside. The Dakota's optional engines -- the 5.2-litre 230 horsepower V8 or the more powerful 5.9-litre block that pushes out 250 horsepower -- are also avail able under the Ram's hood. The 5.9 is available on the sporty R/T 4x2 package that also includes 17-inch cast aluminum wheels, high back bucket seats and other special trim pieces inside and out. But if brute strength isn't high on your agenda, you can select some milder forms of motivation, such as the base 2.5-litre four-cylinder that's good for 120 horsepower, or the optional 3.9-litre V6 that pro duces a respectable 175 ponies. Transmission choices con sist of a five-speed manual, or four-speed automatic. The five- speed is mandatory with the four-cylinder, while the auto matic is required with the 5.9 V8. Besides engine/transmission options, you can pick from either regular length or short box, two-, or four-wheel drive and regular- or extended-cab bodystyles. Currently, the Dakota does n't offer a rear doors on the extended cab, but Dodge is showing a four-door 'crew cab' variant at auto shows around the country, suggesting one will be available for mass consump tion soon. The Dakota has already inspired one spin-off, the wagon-styled Dodge Durango sport-utility vehicle. For a mid-sized truck, the Dakota is nearly as muscular as the big boys. Depending on which version you choose, this Dodge offers a towing capacity of up to 3,040 kilograms, with a maximum payload of 900 kg. As with most truck produc ers, the Dakota can be ordered stripped or equipped. Just about every fancy-pants luxury and convenience option you can think of can be added to this rig. The Dakota is proof positive that Dodge has made the right call with its successful alterna tive to the full-size workhorse. And the best part is that Dodge owns 100% of the market, a number that's as tough to beat as the Dakota itself. By Malcolm Gunn SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER You could say the Dakota is the undisputed leader among mid-sized cargo- toters. That's because it's the only member of this very exclu sive club. Although the first Dakota hit the streets back in 1986, almost every other truck maker has steadfastly stuck to producing either Tonka Toy-sized models such as the Chevy S-10, Ford Ranger and Nissan Frontier, and/or full-size pickups primar ily from the Big Three. The Toyota T 100 was the only mid size competitor, but that unit has now fallen by the wayside in favor of the new, and bigger 2000 Tundra. That's just fine with Dodge, which continues to churn out Dakotas by the . . . er, truckload to buyers looking for both a lit tle more and a little less. Now well into its second generation, the Dakota appears at first glance to be a replica of the big and burly Dodge Ram. Both share a similar front grille design, with the Dakota also aping the flared front-fender look of the full-size unit. The Dakota is also built with the same body-on-frame construc tion that's mandatory on all big trucks. 1999 Dodge Dakota * Two-door regular-/extended-cab pick- ★ 2.5-litre OHV four-cylinder, 3.9-litre 0HV V6, 5.2-litre OHV V8,5.9-litre OHV V8, producing 120,175, 230 and 250 horsepower, respectively. ★ Five-speed manual, or optional four- speed automatic transmission. ★ Mid-size construction provides more power and hauling capacity than small er trucks. ★ Wide choice of power options. ★ Has the same macho good looks as the full-size Ram. ★ Base price: $17,600 A message from the Halton Council on Smoking and Health. For more information, please call the Halton Regional Health Department at (905) 693-4242 ext. 7525. TTY (905) 827-9833 A Public Health Project Photo used with permission from North Bay and District Health Unit JYOUR GREATER TORONTO l G l e n im v e n is TIPPING W E SCALES IN YO Ut FAVOUR. FOR UP TO " O M O N T H S ON ALL 1999 MAZDA VEHICLES Dual "Next Generation" dual airbagsSolar control glass \ 3 yr. 60,000kmCab forward Air design Conditioning B Vyi.UV.UVAMIM Jr bumper to # bumper warranty Height adjustable Tilt steering \ seat belts Standard^ roadside assistance 4 spd automatic transmission ^ Class W inner o f the 1999 AJAC Car o f the Year Awards • Room iest ca r in its c lass • CD Player • 14" wheels Power windows2.76 D0HC 24valve V6, 200 h p \ Cup holders 18.4 cu. ft. trunk volume 25 MPG city 39 MPG hwy ~~-- .299 coefficient of drag " Stainless steel exhaust system 4 wheel independent suspension Rear child irotection1999 MAZDA 626 LX Power door locks w/speed sensitive feature Patented dynamic side intrusion Crumple zones pro,ection 16" wheels w/all season radial tires 4 wheel disc brakes w/optional ABS " 113-wheelbase 1999 C h r y sl e r In t r e p id 22C P k g & AGC 557 KERR STREET (905) 844-3285 MAZDA DEALERS PURCHASE FROM /MONTH PURCHASE FROM /MONTH AUTOMOTIVE You can also ge t a M azda 626 LX fo r less than a Camry LE - 4 cylinder* •A u to • A ir condition ing • CD player • Power group Hi hen Good Sendee Is H Fact. Hot Just R Prnmisel 1 2 9 1 CTJ Oakville maZDa SPEERS ROAD North side between 3rd Line & 4th Line 905-827-4242 S S ro e c S S7$5» ALR5 »5%b T b£ " ilS ;862, lnc,u'jM of $350 and downpayment of $2600 (IncludM t il£ ? 565% - **** M«zd« F*iW»ge S£ (•O4XMS9AA00)) a $11,597, which Includes tec. dap. of $250 and down payment of $1796 (include* *rt and POE o f $7951 ALB 5.95% 20.000 ? * xc--q*<3 ■'MWonai Sc par km appHac. Purchase prtca offer* exclude $795 * t and POC. »c. insuranca taxea and other daaiar charges extra. Dealer may leM eaas to r lass. Sea your Glenleven is giving you all the $0 Down . . . options you've always wanted at $2500 Down a price that suits your budget! $3500 Down The Place to B uy or Lease since 1961 •$38528 .$31297 .$284'04 20,4000km per yr., plus 1 freight, taxes & license. Award fo r 1998 2 3 8 8 J L o y a ^ V i n d s o ] ^ ) r i v e ^ O a k v i ^ ^ ^ 0 ^ ^ 4 ^ 7 5 7 ^G e t in . B e m o v e d .