PAGE av 'iE PR ESS. DURHAM MOVES. NOVEMBERI I. 1987 Government can help purchase new and used cars Whether buying, selling, rejuvenating, or licensing their cars, Ontario drivers can get help from many sources. A number of laws govern the sale, use and abuse of automobiles in Ontario. The various gover- nment bodies responsible for these laws cannot only provide infor- mation about your legal rights and responsibilities, they often represent invaluable resources on many related topics. For example, the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations registers aIl motor vehicle dealers in the province. As a result of this responsibiity, com- bined with the ministrybs overal mandate for consumer education, brochures have been produced on buying cars and obtaining repairs. Details on where to get these pamphlets and a list of other car- related resources follows. At the ministry contact: * the Consumer Information Cen- tre (CIC) for copies of the above- mentioned brochures, pamphlets on general consumer law, or specific information about buying new or used cars. The ministry cannot provide information about particular makes or models, however numerous consumer ar- ticles and books giving ratings are stocked in the ministry's reference library. Open to the public during regular business hours, the library and the CIC are located at 555 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M7A 2H6 - (416) 963-1111 or toîl free at 1-800-268-1142. Ontario.residents with an 807 area code may call the 416 number collect. The TTY/TDD line for the hearing impaired is (416) 963-0808. * the Registrar of Motor Vehicle Dealers - 5th floor, 555 Yonge St., Toronto, Ontario M7A 2H6 (416) 963-0411 - to confirm that any new or used car dealership with which you plan to do business is duly registered with the ministry. Under certain circumstances deposits, ex- tended warranty payments and other monies lost through the bankruptcy of a registered dealer are covered by the Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund. For information about the fund or to make a daim , contact the registrar's office. suspected& ministry investigatorS wi be alerted. Numbers are listed in the local phone book. * Personal Property Security Registration Branch to search for liens against a cart you wish to buy. Given the Vehicle Identification number (VIN), the branch can provide a list of any loans for which the car is registered as security in Ontario. A search should also be conducted using the past owner's name in place of the VIN, consumer experts advise. Each check cost $2. Contact a local land registry of- fice that offers the service orwrite to Box 4120, Station 'A', Toronto, Ontario MSW 1T2. At the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, contact Vehicle Registration to obtain a list of past owners of a particular car. The fee is $5. For information on how to perform this search, call (416).235-4725. * Licensing and Control Branch with questions about driver licen- sing issues such as suspensions or renewals, changes of addres, and demerit points. The branch, located at 2680 Keele St., East Bldg., Down- sview, Ontario M3M 3E6, also provides information on vehicle licencing. Call (416) 235-2999 or con- tact the nearest Drivers and Vehicles Office listed in the local directory. * Public and Safety Information, Branch with questions or to obtain publications on such issues as safe driving, seat belts, child restraints and winter driving; 1201 Wilson Ave., West Tower, Downsview, On- tario M3M 1J8 - (416) 235-2771. Hearing imapried residents with access to a teletype (TTY) network device may call 235-4902. * the Library and Information Centre at 1201 Wilson Ave., Central Bldg., lst floor, Downsivew (416) 235-4546 for access to a comprehen- sive book and periodical collection on gbround transportation. The Centre provides public access to ministry publications, statistics and some manuals. In addition to these government organizations, a -nu be o privately run groups may be able to provide help with problemns or refer questions to the right people. These include the Canadian Automobile Association, the Better Business Bureau, the Automobile Protection Association (100 Granby St., Toron- to M5B 1J1 - (416) 367-2595, and the Consumer's Association of Canada (403-234 Eglinton Ave. E., Toronto M4P 1K5 - (416) 481-6864). Most of these groups have offices across Ontario, with numbers listed in local directories. Check winter tire pressure monthly Aside from having snow tires, or all weather tires to provide the safest driving in winter months, even the tire pressure is something to be concer ied about during this period. Tire pressure should be checked monthly (incýuding the spare), and tires should 4?e checked when they are cold -not after driving a num- ber of miles. A cold tire is one that has gone less than three miles, ac- cording to the Canadian Automobile Association, which also warns that cold weather can cause the pressure to drop approximately a pound per square inch (psi) per 5 degree celcius temperature drop. Improper pressure in the tires can cause hazards and cost money. Underinflated tires wear faster,, allow heat build up in the tire and waste gasoline. Over-inflated tires can also be hazardous and costly for they are more likely to be damaged by potholes, or sharp bumps. Rotation Tires should be rotated according to the pattern and frequency outlined in the car manual, and to wear evenly, attention must be paid to the wheel alignment and tire balancing. Uneven wear on the front tires suggests, for instance' that the front suspension alignment is out of whack, a condition that not only wears out tires but can cause annoying steering wheel vibration, and increase driver fatigue on long trips. ti at we've writttn o rautoit tires is relevant to automobiles generally; there are even more concerns for trucks, vans and other vehicles. Some manufacturers recom- mend a range of pressures to suit intended use and loading of the vehicle, and the recommendations made are minimums. In short, the pounds per square inch should never be less than recommnended, but can be slightly more. Some vëhicles may need dif- ferent pressures for the front and rear wheels or caîl for a higher pressure for extended highway travel, especially with heavier loads ---é