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PLAINDEALER - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1£*OTS P Car owners overlook -v44- •• - ... : • "W engine tune-up benefits In the facc of mounting evidence of an engine tune-up's effec­ tiveness as a gasoline saver and protector against starting trouble, a steady decline in the rate of tune-up purchases has been shown in a survey conducted by Champion Spark Plug Company. According to John C. Hoyt, Champion's manager of marketing research, there has been a drop of nearly seven percent in the nationwide tune-up rate between 1975 and 1978. In other words, over the period, 12 million tune-ups have not • been performed due to the declining rate. The largest drop was recorded in the East North Central states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan, with nearly 12.5 percent fewer tune-ups purchased in 1978 than in 1975. Only in the West North Central area of Minnesota, Iowa, Mis­ souri, the Dakotas, Nebraska and Kansas did tune-up purchases remain constant. While newer cars equipped with electronic ignition systems lead the drop in tune-ups, the de­ cline was not limited to such vehicles. Vehicles older than eight years were tuned less reg­ ularly in 1978 than such vehi­ cles were in 1975. : :--w-v*>-v- r Less do-it-yourself For the first time in six years the rate of car owners doing their own tune-ups declined from the previous year! In 1978, 33.4 percent of all tune- ups were performed by the owner. The figure in 1977 was 36.2 percent. Nevertheless, the do-it- yourself tune-up remains the most common form of service. New car dealerships, which perfprmed 23.2 percent of the tune-ups, were next highest with a 2.2 percentage point in­ crease over the previous year. Both service stations and > garage and repair shops main­ tained their percentage share of . tune-up business compared to the preceding year. The highest rate of do-it- yourself tune-ups was among motorists in the West South Central area (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas), the Mountain and Pacific .Coast states. New Eng­ land and Middle Atlantic states (New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania) had the lowest rate of do-it-yourselfers. High satisfaction rate Satisfaction with tune-up work done remained at its high level during the most recent survey. Ninety-one percent of the survey respondents called their tune-ups "Excellent" or "Good." A "Fair" rating was given by 7.4 percent, and only 1.5 percent complained of "Poor" service. The highest rate of satisfac­ tion was registered by the do- it-yourself group, where 97.3 percent of the respondents rated their work excellent or good. Less than one percent rated their own work poor. New car dealers had the low­ est level of satisfaction but still scored an 82.7 percent satisfac­ tion rate. . Except for installing new condensers and points, the items included in the average tune-up have not changed ap­ preciably in the five-year (1974-78) reporting period. The introduction of electronic ignition earlier in the decade caused the installation of points to drop from 65.1 percent in 1975 to 53.6 percent in 1978. Setting the timing (71.3 per­ cent) and installing new spark plugs (70.9 percent) are the most often performed portions of a tune-up, the survey re­ vealed. • Summary of mandatory I/M programs operating in U.S. Arizona inspections are conducted in both Maricopa (Phoenix) and Pima. (Tucson) counties on approximately 1.1 million vehicles. Vehicles must be checked annually at registra­ tion time and also at any time die title is changed. Inspections are conducted by a private con­ tractor. California, after four years of voluntary inspection, began mandatory I/M in 1979 for all vehicles in the South Coast Air Basin (all or parts of Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties). Inspections are required every time a vehi­ cle changes ownership. Tests are conducted by private con­ tractors. Nevada has mandatory I/M of all vehicles on change of ownership in Clark (Las Vegas) County. Program was extended to all countries with population exceeding 100,000 in July 1979. Inspections are con­ ducted by licensed service sta­ tions, garages and auto dealer­ ships. Cars are inspected and adjustments of primary vehicle specifications are made by die facilities. New Jersey tests approxi­ mately four million cars annu­ ally on a statewide basis. Cars are checked at state inspection stations as part of the yearly safety inspection prior to being registered. Failed vehicles may be retested at certified private garages. Oregon tests vehicles in the Portland Metropolitan Service District (urbanized portions of Washington, Multnomah and Clackamas counties) biennially by state-run inspection stations. Vehicles cannot be registered without a Certificate of Com­ pliance. Rhode Island began statewide inspection in January 1979. Tests are conducted by private certified garages with state-run central inspection facility for use as a referee sta­ tion for those who wish to chal­ lenge the findings of a private garage. Emission tests are con­ ducted in conjunction with •safety inspection. Get mdre for gas dollars Even though manual trans­ missions can help reduce fuel consumption, you may be rob­ bing yourself of this gas-saving advantage by using poor shift­ ing techniques. Shift into high as quickly as possible. Racing along in sec­ ond gear can use up to 45 per cent more fuej depending on the age and mohel of your car. * * * If a skid does develop when you are driving, turn the front wheels in the direction you are skidding. When the skid is con­ trolled, turn the front wheels back to the straight ahead posi­ tion and slowly maneuver the car back to the original course. Do not use your brakes during a skid or you may lose control. Upper left. Corrosion on battery terminals can cause starting trouble and eventually can destroy the cable through faulty insulation. Upper right. A terminal puller is handy for remov­ ing stubborn battery cables. Lower right. This wire brush is especially designed for cleaning cables and terminals for proper electrical connection. Lower left. Wear safety goggles for eye protection when working around a battery. Our Best Deals are Now! Custom Built Garages before the Snow More Ways to Save! AUTOMATIC GARAGE DOOR OPENER Custom 2/? 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