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2 Car Care Supplement of The Canadian Statesman, April 12, 1978 Safety Maintenance Mechanical malfunctions are directly responsible for some 10 per cent of ail traffic accidents. The magnitude of this figure becomes apparent in Canada's accident statistics which show that our eleven million drivers have more than 500,000 accidents in which more than- 200,000 people are injured and aout 6700 are are killed in one year. the owner or operator has a' legal and moral responsibility to make sure the vehicle is in safe operating condition. It, should be checked by a competent mechanic at least twice a year, fali and spring, to ensure it is in good mechanical order. SAFETY EQUIPMENT The following items can be checked readily by the opera- tor and are important to the safe operation of the vehicle: Lights Check head, tail, plate, signal, and back-up lights to determine if they are working properly and free of dirt. Window Glass Keep al windows dlean on both sides su that you will have the best possible vision. Windshield Wipers and Washers Test for good cleaning action and smooth operation. Replace rubber wiper blades when they start to smear glass or become inefficient. Rear View Mirrors Keep dlean and properly adjusted to provide a clear view of traffic. Horn Check for serviceabilîty. It is important to be able to warn or get the attraction of others. Locks Door,' trunk, and engine hood locks should be in good working, order. Keep well lubricated, particularly in winter. When vehicle is in motion, doors should be locked. 1 1InstrumnentPanel Here are grouped a variety of information and warning devices. If any of them indicate trouble, do something about it. For instance, if one of' them warns of electrical trouble it might indicate a short circuit which couldbe the prelude to a fire. Defrosters Test for serviceability and operation: These accessories are essential in keeping wind- shield and rear window clear of frost and mnist. Safety Belts Check operation of take-up reels, buckles and service- ability of safety beit harness. The wearing of safety beits has been proven to be effect- ive in saving lives and reducing injuries of the occu- pants of a motor vehicle involved in an accident. Sun Visors Not to be used as a sheif for papers, maps, etc. Maintain arms and brackets in good working order for immediate and effective use. DRIVIER MAINTENANCE The following items can be checked by any operator by using four of the five senses- L.e. sight, smell, feel, and hearing. Regular mainten- ance of these items is essential to provide greater safety and to prolong the life of the vehicle. Tires Keep an accurate tire gauge in the glove compartment; gauges at service stations can be inaccurate. Check tire pressures at least once a month, more often in winter because of the wide changes of temperature. Always check tire pressure when the tires are cool. Each change of 10 degrees in the outside temper- ature will raise or lower the tire pressure one pound. Keep tire pressures balanced cor- rectly. Do not bleed or reduce tire pressures when tires are hot fromn driving. For heavier loads, adjust tire pressures within the limnits stated on the tire. Brakes Most of todays cars have a dual braking system-with or without a vacuum power assist. The primary part of the systema is hydraulic, backed up by mechanical application. The systemn is subject to leaks in the- brake lunes or brake wheel cylinders. Indicators of trouble are: a low fluid level in the brake master cylinder or a spongy feeling in the brake pedal. Locking of any one wheel upon brake application could mean fluid on the brake linings. Balanced,.adjustment of brakes will prevent sudden veering to the lef t or right. Fluid level and brake linfings should be checked at once if the brake pedal develops too much travel before becomning operative. Battery The battery is -the heart of the electrîcal system. Keep fluid at the recommend.ed level. Keep battery dlean and remove corrosion from battery terminaIs. Should it become necessary to start an engine with a dead battery, it can be done safely by follow- ing the proéedure outlined in the Canada Safety Council's leaflet "How To Jump A Battery". Incorrectly done, there is a danger of the battery explod-g and spray- ing sulphurîc a td over anyone nearby. Radiator The front of the radiator core should be kept clear of any obstructions and colant should be kept at the correct level and strength. If the engine overheats, do flot attempt to remove the radia- tor cap to add liquid until the radiator stops steamîing and the engine has cooled to avoid 'the danger of being scalded or causing damage to the engine. Steering Along with braking, steering is a very important safety function of a vehicle. The steering system is made up of many articulated parts, with or without power assist. Ail of these parts maust be adjusted to close tolerances and must be kept tight. Correct front wheel alignment is a must for good steering ability, as is correct and balanced front tire pressures. Badly worn or loose hall joints, shock absorb- ers and steeritçg parts can have an adverse effect on eâff #s steering. At the first sign of 4 1 A T any steering fault the vehicle should be taken or towed to a - IN 5rAs -M NE N'ý garage. OÙ and Coolant Leaks Watch for any indication of. loss of liquids 'under vehicle RH/ ASN PGER i-r.. after parking. Such signs are a P SI4APN SIC-ERNCIU warning not to be ignored, and A *W*R*PPOINT. .CAN CAUS ~ require the attention of a CR N1ET UNOE mechanic. FTUL FRUTR Exhaust System CNQP NIES NO NA When driving in a closed lELIG car, be alert for drowsiness,q light headedness or headache. f, Thos e are the first symptoms f of carbon monoxide poisoming. This gas cannot be smelled, seen 'or tasted. Stop immedi- ate ly, get some fresh air, then drive with windows open to the nearest garage. Find the leak Ir-, moSTLIKELY ifi TAIKE and have it repaired. PRZIMARILw' IN SHORr, LOW Note: Use oniy those grades SPEEP RUNS WITH MUCNA of ois, lubrîcants, hydraulic i5TOP-ANV-GO. fluid and antifreeze recom- mended by the manufacturer. PERIODIC MAINTENANCE The Owner's Manual is wýritten by the _people best qualified to do it-the peoplfe who built your car. Read it through carefully, and then__ I4PEpr make a habit of referring to it - - CW>AOFF114ECA S ZLING' regularly for recommended --- P 0 F Tsy E service checks. These can ________iv SEE save you some big bis and r C ONTROL AN9 IçE MLMF;lJ ii .ii i.COMIL.ARE SET TO ensure your safety. When m'mgmii iuuuuum çp buying a used car, make sure )PCFIAINS. CQMFLEI, you get a manual, even if you .Pr ALO irECOrmrENPEP. have to write the manufact- -LoRcmEPP urer. Many of the checks are such that the average motorist cannot properly handie them Worn shocks To avoid such a danger, personally.ofe sea ask your service man to ofen sn a Y check shocks every- time The New Car Warranty is an Unlike a tire that sud- the car is on the hoist agreement between you and denly blows out with a for a lube job or similar the manufacturer. Read it loud bang, worn shock ab- service. carefully and then make sorbers can f ail with littie This is particularly im- certain that you keep records ýadv an ce wa r ning. Y et portant if your present to prove that the required ýwhen shocks fail, the re- shocks have more than services have been performed suits can be j ust as peri- 20,000 miles of wear on in case of defect occurs. lous as ablh1-otni1 them. Comparative car test shows 'how.. Car's con driving cf Littie things, particular- ly in terms of car main- tenance, can mean a lot in terms of fuel savings. To prove the valîcity of theabove statement, Sheli 011 Company embarked on tests of procedures that couid save the average car owner nearly three months worth of gasoline annuaily. How much care How much proper car care and prudent driving habits can save in fuel was the answer Sheli sought in its tests. Heres what Sheli engineers did and what they .found: A typicai company car was taken and put into shape where gasoline waste was probable. The engine was placed slightiy out of tune with'ignition timing retarded and car- buretor idie set too fast and rich. Radial tires on the car were replaced by ordinary tires and air pressure 'was lowered from the proper 24 pounds to 19, Wheei alignment was altered and the wrong weight of motor oul was installed. .Group of drivers A group of 23 drivers was employed to drive the cars so altered and the group averagecl 13.6 miles per gallon. Once the cars were put back into proper shap)e, the test was con- ducted again. This timne, mileage averaged 15.6 idition plus careful an yield fuel savings mi.p.g. - a two mile per ical speed is 35 miles per gallon improvemient. hour. Neyer exceed 5.3 DrviL..1:.bit miles per 11our. Drivers involved ini the test were given specific tîps on how to maneuver their cars for best fuel mileage, as follows: * 1** Accelerate gently with- out acitually creeping away f rom Ile top. Aniticipate stops and lake your foot off the gas pedtal, coasting 10 the ini- ters5eclti. Keep youir speed mnod- erate. The mnost econom- Geltint high gear as quickly as possible for the most economical perform- anice. Even wilh automatie transmission, one can gel the feel of shifting. Sheli reports that the combination of good car condition and careful driv- ing made the average in.p.g. 16.8. That was a 23,5 percent improvement or a savings of nearly three months -worth of gasoline. rNumber one vctim of car neglect is the battery ëable and terminal, shown here. According to Car Care Council, this port is niost ôverlooked of ail proventive maintenance serv- ices and parts. Spark plug wireq and radiator hffs'eq riun a close race for second plate.