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Wednesday, April 7, 1999 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER D5 AUTOMOTIVE Unveilings abound a t New York Auto Show By Rob Beintema SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER The 1999 New York"Auto Show opened this April with almost a thousand vehicles on display. Inside the Jacob Javitz Center, a hectic schedule of automotive debuts pulled back the slipcovers on designer dream concept cars and new models for the next millennium. Below are a few of the newest automotive additions on display. Ford took centre stage early at the New York show with a reveal of the new 2000 Taurus. The radical styling of This wall of BMW's was a popular display at the these mid-size family sedans York Auto Show. within three years. Nissan isn't the only company tiding and wagons has been neutral­ ized with rectangular rear windows on the sedag and a less oval-eccentric design inside and out. Ford, still riding high on its 5-star Windstar rating is also emphasizing safety on its sedans this year, with wider, brighter headlights, adjustable power pedals, all-speed trac­ tion control, impact severity sensors, available side air bags and the industry's first factory-installed emergency trunk release system. The 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue adds a "Precision Control System" this year, an evolution of the Corvette's "Active Ride" traction control system. Oldsmobile's other import-fighter, the athletically toned-down 2001 Aurora will be produced in a slightly smaller and 300 lb. lighter version of its prede­ cessor. Sales of the 4.0 L V8 engine in this Olds flagship have held steady but a new 3.5 L V6 adds diversity to the Aurora lineup. GM's Saturn division, under the lead­ ership of new, fast-tracked Canadian President, Cynthia Trudell, seems fired up by its 3-door coupe innovation and is now shaking off the doldrums of its lim­ ited lineup of dated designs, branching out with the 2000 Saturn L-Series sedans and wagons. Customer loyalty and Saturn's unique approach to sales and service will undoubtedly spur sales of these larger, traditionally Saturn- styled and roomy new entries in the mid­ size market. To the delight of sports car fans, a rejuvenated Nissan displayed their Z concept car, first revealed in Detroit, and announced that, "Yes, we will build it." Expect the retro-inspired Z sports cars more "oomph" to the lineup. BMW premiered two of its 2000 models, the 323Ci, 328Ci coupes and its re-contoured Z3 roadsters. The 2000 Pontiac Sunfire maintains its reputation of fun and performance at an affordable price. A minor facelift emphasizes the car's sporty image with a new front fascia, new rocker panels, round turn signals up front and round backup lights in the rear bumper. The GTs snout is snorkeled with a Trans Am look that comes complete with built-in fog lamps. A new 5-speed manual enhances performance and hints at the Euro-style redesign that's due before 2003. GM debuted the 2000 GMC Yukon and the 2000 Chevrolet Suburban. The Yukon's track sprawls wider this year but the turning radius is 3 feet tighter. A new sunroof option, bigger mirrors and improved HVAC and sound system are just a few of the fea­ tures. The Suburban is more stable with lowered mass, better brakes and passenger car compatible bumpers. Both models will go on sale before the end of the year. There seems to be no end in sight for the booming full- recent New size s u v market. Sales have grown by about 350 percent since the mid-'90s. Mazda showed off their 10th anniversary Miata but their main event was the debut of the 2000 MPV. The long-overdue revision of the MPV has stayed true to the handsome concept vehicle revealed earlier in Detroit and this descendant of one of the first origi­ nal minivans is sure to take back ground lost to Caravan, Windstar and Venture. With flexible "side-by-slide" second row seating, a tumble-under foldable rear seat that reverses for tail-gate par­ ties and full roll-down rear windows, this versatile "smart-sized" family hauler should be a hit with customers who want to put the "mini" back in mini- van. G e t m o r e fo r 1997 PONTIAC TRANSPORT MONTANA Red, 4 door, EXT, fully loaded. Alloy rims, one owner, only 30,OOOkms. $ # ^ j *PST, GST. license & administration extra. . K e r r c a r e s . 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRK Red, fully loaded, 4-door, alloy rims, balance of factory warranty, only 30,000km s.*2O 995' 1998 PONTIAC ' SUNFIRE Blue, auto, air, power windows & door locks, cruise, cass, ABS & more. Low mteage *14,995 1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM White, auto, air, cass, VB, ABS, dual airbags, balance of factory warranty, S t f l l l U I°w mileage. *16,995* A P Plugging an oil leak ^ Changing oil is a responsibility some owners take upon themselves. Sometimes, they run into a drain plug that has damaged or corroded threads, resulting in a poor seal and, therefore, the inevitable leak. There are several ways to remedy the problem, but usually requires a new drain plug that's slightly larger than the old plug, or even a universal fit rubber plug if the threads are ruined beyond repair. Worst- case scenario? A new oil pan is needed. New drain plugssm C u t t e r ^ - -------- | Signs of trouble Oil pan (underneath the engine) FI Splitting or damage. Rounded edges on threads (stripping) indicates overtightening. Oversized plug cuts new threads. J r S ' " ■ C I Same as above with a small drain plug in the middle. Rounding of the plug's shoulders. Drain plug One of severar rubber plugs used when threads are heavily damaged. C O P Y R I G H T W H E E L B A S E C O M M U N I C A T I O N S ■ ■ •' ' GREAJkRRICESm GREAMiBREIGE "THE UNDERCAR CARE SPECIALISTsimm-GMMmmpz MUFFLER & BRAKE 5STAR PLEDGE 1 Mufflers • Brakes 1 Catalytic Convertors 1 Custom Pipe Bending 1 Shocks • Stmts • Coil Springs "We honour competitive muffler guarantees" • LOW PRICES • PERSONAL SERVICE • QUALITY PRODUCTS •TRUSTWORTHINESS • CUSTOMER SATISFACTION GUARANTEED Call today for a free quotation! 842-6854 670 Fourth Line, Unit 16 Q E W See our website: www.kerrcadillac.com EMISSION TESTING DRIVE CLEAN Accredited Test & Repair Facility ' An official mark of the Province of Ontario used under licence, n o w available a t DENMAR AUTO SERVICES O/A Meineke Muffler 501 Speers Rd., Oakville, Ont. Call: (905) 842-6000 for appointment D R IV IN G CLEAN FOR THE A IR W E BREATHE We all can play a part to help combat smog. Since one of the major causes of smog is emis­ sions from our vehicles, we can do our part by ensuring we're driving clean! ONTARIO'S DRIVE CLEAN A new emission testing program Will your vehicle have to pass a drive clean test this year? Accredited Test & Repair ONTARIO DRIVE CLEAN FACILITY •j O N T A R IO 'S D R IV E CLEAN Call for an appointment 2388 Royal W indsor Drive, Oakville • 905-845-7575 Service Hours: Mon. 8 a.m. Fri. 8 a.m.8 p.m. Sat 8 a.m.-Noon xu vi) ONTARIO'S DRIVE CLEAN 280 SOUTH SERVICE RD. JMC.1AAA (a t Dorval Drive) 0 4 3 " 10 4 0 Y ou've heard of "passing a safe­ ty" to make sure your vehicle is fit for the road Starting in 1999 there's a new test your vehicle may have to pass every two years to make sure it is also fit for the air we breathe. It's called an emissions test, and it's part of Ontario's Drive Clean program announced by Environment Minister Norm Sterling to help fight smog. "The Drive Clean program is a major step forward in achieving cleaner air in Ontario," said the minister. "Keeping our vehicles properly maintained will be good for the environment, our health and even the vehicles themselves." Smog is a problem in many urban areas with a large number of motorized vehicles. It is linked to the rise of respira­ tory ailments, especially among children. Care, trucks and buses are the sin­ gle largest source of smog- causing pollutants in Ontario. An emissions test cost­ ing a maximum of $30 will be required every two years to renew your vehicle licence plate or whenever you decide to change own­ ership, usually when the vehicle is sold A pass means your vehicle meets the emissions standards for its make and model year. • If your vehicle fails the test, you have to have the problem repaired and return for a retest. But whether or not your vehicle is actually covered under the Drive Clean pro­ gram depends on where you live and the age of your vehicle. When renewing a vehicle registration, * an official mark of the Province of Ontario used under licence. the Drive Clean test only applies to vehicles that are more than three years old and less than 20. For an ownership transfer where a safety certificate is required however, the test applies to all vehicles less than 20 years old. Starting in April 1999, the Drive Clean test is mandatory in the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton-Wentworth Region. Then, in January 2001, Drive Clean expands to 13 other high smog urban zones in southern Ontario. You'll know for sure if any one of the vehicles you own has to be tested if you get a notice in the mail about 90 days before the licence plate renewal date (your birthday!) Since the test cycle alternates from year to year between odd and even model-year vehi­ cles,.it will take four years for Drive Clean to become hilly operational in all pro­ gram areas. By the end of 2003, some 4.5 million care, sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks and vans will have gone through a Drive Clean facility at least once. As this is going on, the environment ministry's Smog Patrol will step up its on-road enforcement of pulling over visible pollut­ ing vehicles, especially heavy duty tracks. The Drive Clean pro­ gram is administered by the Ministry of the Environment and will be closely monitored to ensure that it is both fair and effective. With full imple­ mentation, it will help cut smog-causing pol­ lutants from vehicles by up to 22 per cent in the program area. In the end we'll all bene­ fit from Ontario's Drive Clean program, because we'll be doing something positive for the air we breathe. Don't O p en Your Hood To Strangers^ BRING IT HOME TO 191 WYECROFT ROAD OAKVILLE (9 0 5 ) 8 4 4 -9 8 3 1 www.oakvillehonda.com U H O N D A BUILT WITHOUT COMPROMISE LOCKWOOD O c H R Y S L E R Bring us your vehicle for emission testing & repair. Com plete Drive Clean Testing & Repair Facility For an appointment call 845-6653 1 7 5 W YE C R O FT R O A D ONTARIO'S Be sure to check out next week's auto section to find out more about this new mandatory program. T O W N E CHEVROLET OLDSMOBILE INC. Accredited Test & Repair DRIVE CLEAN FACILITY Service Hours Mon.-Fri. 7:00 a.m .-5:30 p.m. Sat. 8:00 a .m .-4:00 p.m. 547 Trafalgar Road, Oakville (905) 844-2320 I http://www.kerrcadillac.com http://www.oakvillehonda.com