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PAGE 20-SUPPLEMENT TO McHENRY PLAINDEALER-FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1976 Tips For The Novice Automechanic By Don B. Wilson, Member, SAE -- Reducing Radio Frequency Interference Radio Frequency Interfer­ ence (RFI) is a form of pollution that must be con­ trolled for reasons of national defense and to realize the full value of existing television transmission and reception devices, and citizen's band radio use. "Powering-up" the trans­ mission of these important communication devices to get through existing RFI would increase their range, reducing the number of transmitting stations that could effectively be used. In Citizen's Band alone, this would greatly reduce the number of people who could use these radios. Consequently, to realize the greatest use from existing technology and facilities, the Federal Communications Commission is mounting a powerful offensive aimed at a meaningful reduction in RFI. This effort is supported by the Automotive Parts & Accessories Association and deserves the support of all of us. There are many sources of RFI, including sunspots, but automotively caused RFI is one source which immedi­ ately affects us and which we can relatively easily and in­ expensively bring under con­ trol. What causes RFI from cars and light trucks? The most common sources are bad spark plug wiling and electric motors or generators. A spark jump worn or poorly seating brushes causes a voltage increase, which can be picked up as an RFI- emitting discharge. This sounds like a whine or whir­ ring sound. Spark plug wiring RFI sounds more like a rapid series of ticking sounds or, as some describe it, a "ZZZZZZsing" sound. RFI caused by the second­ ary wiring harness (spark plug wiring) can be reduced to legal limits by replacing the worn or metal-cored spark plug cables with fresh new TVRS (TelevisionRadio- Suppression) cable. If you wish to retain use of metal-cored cables, you can help control most of the resulting RFI by installing resistor type spark plugs, external electromagnetic radi­ ation suppressors meeting SAE JS52a, or by installing a grounded shielding system over the entire secondary wiring system. RFI emanating from 12-volt electric motors can usually be controlled by using a 60-amp, S Microfarad (mfd) capacitor, attached and grounded as closely to the electric motor as possible. When replacing spark plug cables, do so one at a time to avoid error in maintaining the firing order of the engine. Also, follow the routing of the old cable to avoid pos- nJ Before winter strikes... get the protection your car deserves I w GARAGE KING LUMBER & CONSTRUCTION CO. McHenry's Local Garage & Lumbar Co. • v. • W»' tif * ̂ "* **•* 4 We ore No. 1 in Quality ond Price! WE OFFER: • LOWEST PRICES • FINEST QUALITY CUSTOM BUILDING Lets Get Acquainted! HOURS:-DAILY 9-9, SATURDAY 9-5. SUNDAY 12-5 LOOK AT OUR DISPLAY MODELS AND COMPARE RTE. 120 & BEACH RD. (V* mile west of town) McHENRY, ILL Call for FREE Estimates 815-344-1700 sible inductance and misfiring caused by parallel cable lays to adjacent-firing cylinders. Besides interfering with vital military communications and controls, RFI is a per­ sonal "pain-in-the-neck," but fortunately one that any of us can do something about. © Automotive Parts A Accessories Association How to Cere for Vinyl Tops A vinyl top on a new car is a thing of beauty and about a third of U.S. cars have them. Before long, however, rain, sun, ice, snow, bird droppings and detergents begin to take their toll. Premature vinyl aging is one of the first signs of automobile deterioration. It also affects your car's trade-in value. & e The top becomes brittle and discolored. The plasti- cizers that impact elasticity to vinyl tops begin eroding. Darker colors pale. Lighter colors muddy. If your car is new, the Automotive Parks & Acces­ sories Association (APAA) advises, shelter its Vinyl top from future hazards by wax­ ing it immediately. Just as cars need undercoating, their tops need this overcoating. If your car's top already shows signs of aging, APAA says, don't despair. You can restore it to like-new condi­ tion. Here's how. First, proper cleaning. Do NOT use volatile cleaners, naphtha, gasoline, harsh household cleaners and deter­ gents, or bleaching agents. They do more damage than cleaning. Instead, buy a vinyl top cleaner from a retailer of automotive products, and fol­ low the directions. While you're there, look for a product that will restore the color. Then follow the direc­ tions. Both products can be applied in only minutes. You will need a soft bristle brush (avoid wire brushes) for the cleaning and a sponge for the refinishing. Some products already come with appli­ cators. The best news is that this protection will last for months. After cleaning and polishing the family buggy, be prepared for compliments on your "new car." Caught in heavy traffic? Put the transmission into neutral to avoid over­ heating the engine. • 9 i,