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Where you live counts Do you live in one of the 19 states without PMVI? Yon do if you are a resident of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Califor­ nia, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington or Wisconsin. While some states Bke Michigan have random inspection and others like Maryland have inspection when a car is sold, none have 100 per cent protection against the unsafe vehicle. PAGE 2-SUPPLEMENT TO McHENRY PLAINDEALER-OCTOBER 3 Certified mechanics fill need for dependable service A national organization formed only three years ago has tested 95,000 auto­ motive mechanics and certified approximately 70,000 of them as compe- AMC's 1976 Pacer Comes In Three Versions Pacer's unique styling and design features are offered in three versions for 1976--a stan­ dard model, a sporty X and a plush D/L. Trim and luxury appointments set the models apart. Engineering improvements emphasize economy and efficiency of operation. A new two-barrel carburetor for the optional 258 CID six-cylinder Pacer engine improves ac­ celeration, while distributor and carburetor modifications help stretch fuel mileage. Pacer features rack-and-pinion steering, optional overdrive with column-mounted shift controls for the three-speed manual transmission, and isolated suspension system. Standard engine is a 232 CID six. AMC's Torque-Command au­ tomatic transmission is optional. Pacer, and all 1976 American Motors cars, are covered by the company's Buyer Protection Plan. tent in one or more tech­ nical areas. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, head­ quartered in Washington, D.C., is the name of the organization, and their tests are developed and administered nationwide by Educational Testing Service of Princeton, N.J. They pay fee Mechanics or their em­ ployers pay the fees for the tests and the program is strictly voluntary. Herb­ ert S. Fuhrman, NIASE President, says: "The na­ tion's mechanics deserve huge credit for turning out in such large numbers for these voluntary tests. It certainly expresses a strong desire to prove their competency. We hope that consumers will ask for certified mechanics to work on their cars and will look for mechanics' credentials displayed in service areas." Shops em­ ploying certified mechan­ ics are authorized to dis­ play orange and blue signs which read: "We employ mechanics certified by NIASE -- let us show you their credentials." Pinpoint certification The credentials show specifically in what areas a mechanic or body re­ pairer or painter is certi­ fied. The Institute offers cer­ tification in eight automo­ bile areas: Engine Repair, Automatic Transmission, Manual Transmission and In sign language, the N.A.P.A. gold hat means service! If you depend on your car everyday... remember...it depends on you, too. By "getting tune-ups and minor repairs done in time, you can avoid alot of delays and help prevent major repair jobs. So...don't put it off..,drive in at a station or garage that displays the NAPA sign of good service. They'll give your car a complete tune^ up and if repair parts are needed, they'll use famous N.A.P.A. parts made especially for your car. Your car will drive better and operate more economically...and that's what responsible driving means. Rear Axle, Front End, Brakes, Electrical Systems, Heating and Air Condi­ tioning, and Engine Tune- up. Also offered are six tests for heavy-duty truck and bus mechanics, and two tests in body and paint. In the automobile series, for example, a mechanic can take all eight tests or a lesser number. If he suc­ ceeds in passing all eight and he meets the experi­ ence requirement, he is certified as a General Au­ tomobile Mechanic. Two years' working experience as a mechanic are required for certification. Benefits everyone The Institute claims the voluntary testing and cer­ tification program bene­ fits everyone. The con­ sumer is given the choice between a mechanic who has proved his competen­ cy and one who has not. The tests are generally designed for the mechanic who is already employed, and experience seems to be a very important factor in passing. The tests em­ phasize problem solving and diagnostic skills rath­ er than just knowledge questions. Older men have consistently done better on the tests than younger mechanics, despite the fact that in most cases the younger men have more formal education than their older associates. Each certified mechanic receives a certificate, an ID. card, a display card, and shoulder patches and stripes identifying his areas of demonstrated competence. Fuhrman anticipates that within a year the Institute will have over 100,000 mechanics certi­ fied in one or more spe­ cialty areas. "This program resulted from an industry response to the need for improving the quality of automotive repair. Mechanics' lack of know-how has been one of the major deterrents to excellence in auto repair," he says. "With the certification of more and more good mechanics, the public can now find mechanics of proven and tested ability., We are proud of the In­ stitute's role in this effort." ' A national directory of employers of certified me­ chanics, "Where to Find Certified Mechanics for Your Car," is available to the public for $1.95. To ob­ tain a copy, send a check or money order to: NIASE, Suite 515, 1825 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006. - - The N.A.P.A. gold hat; the hallmark 4RAPA) of the true professional mechanic. Quality N.A.P.A, Replacement Parts And Martin Senour Paints Are Available Locally From McHENRY AUTO PARTS, INC 3318 West Pearl St. McHeniy, III. , Ph. 385-8080