27 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, May 6, 2009 It's time to be car care aware - Top ten tips to preventative maintenance Carguide Magazine Metroland Newspapers May is Car Care Month and here are 10 tips to keep your vehicle looking and running its best. 1. Spring oil and filter change: Don't forget to get a specialty oil change if the vehicle has high mileage or is a hard working SUV, truck or mini-van. For ultimate protection, get a full synthetic oil change. Check all fluids under the hood power steering, brake, transmission and coolant levels; top-up with correct fluid as specified in the owner's manual. 2. Keep it clean: Wash the exterior of the vehicle and repair any chips in the paint with touch-up paint to eliminate rust spots from forming. Clean the tires and wheels to remove brake dust that has built up over the winter. Wax your vehicle with a good quality wax to protect the surface from the elements. For the interior, remove the inside clutter, vacuum the carpet and clean any salt stains on the carpet, as these can lead to a rusting floor underneath your carpet. Clean all windows and apply an interior protectant to the dashboard and vinyl surfaces. 3. Keep vision clear: Vision guides 96 per cent of all driving decisions, so check the wiper blades and replace worn, cracked or bent blades with new ones. Fill the windshield washer reservoir with quality fluid to fight summer's dust and insects. Make sure the windshield is clean inside and out to reduce the sun's glare. 4. Let it breathe: Gas prices and fuel efficiency is on every motorist's mind. The air filter allows your engine to breathe and a clean one will improve fuel economy by up to 10 per cent. 5. Same for the interior: Check the cabin air filter. Vehicle occupants need to breathe clean air too! These are neglected filters and sometimes consumers are not even aware of their presence. Replacement removes the build-up of road grime, pollen and debris entering through the vehicle's vent system. 6. Change those tires: Remove winter tires or rotate all-season radials and re-balance the wheels. Check tire conditions and adjust air pressure, including the spare! A four-wheel alignment is always a good idea after driving on rough winter roads. Always be sure to have a can or two of Fix-A-Flat in the truck in case of a flat-tire emergency so you can get to the nearest service station. 7. Keep your cool: Check the owner's manual for coolingsystem service. Check tightness and condition of belts, clamps and hoses. Look for signs of wear, cracking or frayed belts and replace, if wear is noticeable, to prevent sudden breakdowns. 8. Batteries need cleaning: Have your battery inspected and load tested to see how it survived the winter. Make sure terminals are clean of any corrosion. 9. Check the brakes: After a long winter, a routine brake inspection and service is important for safety and can save money in the long run. 10. Light your way: Inspect all lights and bulbs and replace burned-out bulbs. Check headlight and taillight lens assemblies for pinholes that can allow moisture in and cause lens discoloura- BUY LOCALLY SERVICE LOCALLY SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY Phone: (905) 825-8088 www.volvoofoakville.com 2219 Wyecroft Road, Oakville, ON L6L 5L7 Toll Free 1-877-469-5969 fax 905-469-4562 CONSUMERS SHOULD READ THE FOLLOWING: Vehicles may not be exactly as shown. Limited time offers are subject to change without notice. *New starting prices are calculated after subtracting dealer participation and stackable credits off the 2009 MSRP. Starting prices of a new 2009 SX4 Sedan with manual transmission (Model S3L83J9), 2009 SX4 Hatchback with manual transmission (Model H3N83H9) and 2009 Grand Vitara with manual transmission (Model LLNB0S9), after subtracting dealer participation credits of $500/$500/$500 and stackable credits of $1,900/$1,900/$2,500, are $14,995/$14,995/$22,995. $1,395/$1,395/$1,550 destination and delivery charge, administration fee, $75 tax for fuel conservation (where applicable), duties on new tires (where applicable), $72 PPSA (where applicable), other taxes, license, insurance, applicable fees and registration are extra. Limited time finance offers available to qualified retail customers on approved credit. 0%/0%/0% purchase financing APR for a 36/36/36 month term. Financing example: the monthly payment of a new 2009 SX4 Sedan with manual transmission (Model S3L83J9), after subtracting dealer participation credits of $500 and stackable credits of $1,900, at 0% purchase financing APR is $417 per month for 36 months. Cost of borrowing is $0 for a total obligation of $14,995. Financing example does not include $1,395 destination and delivery charge, administration fee, $75 tax for fuel conservation (where applicable), duties on new tires (where applicable), $72 PPSA (where applicable), other taxes, license, insurance, applicable fees and registration. +Prices of models shown, 2009 SX4 Sedan Sport with manual transmission (Model S3L83K9), 2009 SX4 Hatchback JX with automatic transmission (Model H3N84J9) and 2009 Grand Vitara JLX with automatic transmission (Model L2NB5V9), after subtracting stackable credits of $1,400/$1,400/$2,000, are $17,945/$18,595/$26,995. $1,395/$1,395/$1,550 destination and delivery charge, administration fee, $75 tax for fuel conservation (where applicable), duties on new tires (where applicable), $72 PPSA (where applicable), other taxes, license, insurance, applicable fees and registration are extra. Certain conditions apply. Dealers may sell for less. Information shown is based on the latest available information at the time of print. See participating dealers for conditions and details. Offers ends May 15, 2009. ©2009 Suzuki Canada Inc. Suzuki of Oakville SERVICE DEPARTMENT OPEN SATURDAYS