WHITBY FREE PRESS, AUTO GUIDE, WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 20;ý 19829 PAGE 3 A Tune-Up Can, Save.Gasoline and Money When underinflated, tires don't roll as easily as. they should and it takes more energy to keep the car in motion.' If tires are underin- flated by four pounds, gas consumption goes up about 8 percent. That's $5.60 per month. Rolling resistance due to incorrect wheel alignment also cuts gas mileage. One-, quarter inch out of alignmnent costs about 2 percent or $1.40. Misalignment and underinfli-tion can drastically cut tire lufe., too. Finally, if the ther- mostat in the cooling systemn is missing or stuck in theopen posi- tion, which would cause CONSUMER BEAT Car Repair Tips Pay Off Whether you've just fin- ished paying ail your buils. or you'tre trying to budget them from month to month. car repairs are neyer wel- corne They always manage ta create that sinking feeling in yaur stomach. But it doesn't have to be that way. Car repairs should be viewed like dental work: V you have to 'expeet some occasionally, but you can prevent much of it with good maintenance. j, Car repairs can be very frustrating, particularly since* many people don't know what's wrong or where ta go for competent help. That's why car repaîrs are a major area of consumer com plaints al vr North America. TeMinistry of Consum- eradCommercial Relations offers a few simple tips that may help motorists prevent car problems and cape with the aggravation of car re- pairs. 4 Preventive maintenance If you sce yaur car as a major financial investment. you probably treat it with care and respect. You realize that' regular maintenance and occasional repairs will keep it running smoothly and virtually problem free. With careful attention, your car can grow old gracefully. or earn you a better resale price. Your owner's manual should be your driving bible: consult it whenever some- thing feels wrong, and at least once every season. As an instruction bookiet writ- ten specificaliy for your car, it tells you when to have tune-ups, how much air pres- sure your tires need, when ta change the oùl, and a vani- ety of other important things. In fact, if you don't follow the suggestions in. your owner's manual (usual- ly found in the glove com- partment>, your new car warranty could be invalidat- cd. Whether yau are a do-it- yo.urselfer or have your car serviced at full service sta- tions periodically (remem- ber, self-service gas statians don't* service your car), make sure the following items are checked regularly: mator ail level, windshield washer fluid, coolant level in radiator <only when en- gine is cold), tire pressure, power steering luid, lights and turn signais, transmis- sion fluid, brake and battery fluids. battery cables, wiper blades, drive belt, and hases. In addition. your car shotald get a complete tune-up at least once a year. Personal driving habits are an important part of car maintenance. Drive at rec- oz!îmended speeds avoid overworking your car at hsgh speeds. Avoid jack-rab- bit starts and abusive brak- ing. Keep your tires properly inflated to get more mileage out of bath the tires and the car. Keep your car dlean in- side and out ta avoid occur- rence of rust. Choosing a mechanic Befare your car needs repairs, choose a garage and a mechanic as carefully'as you choose your dactor or dentist. Ask yaur friends for recommendations. Check aut the neigiborhood ga- rage, the service department of your car dealership. or aý large service outlet. Find aut which bas the most quaI- ified mechanics and the tools needed to do the job prop- erly. Shiop around for esti- mates, but remember that the lowest estirnate may flot include a complete repair job. Find out. The more you can tell the mechanic about your car,, the easier he can find the problemn and fix it. If you are happy with the re- pair work donc, if yaur me- chanîc is competent and re- hiable, becomne a regular cus- tomer. The mechanic will get ta know your car and locate problemns much faster. lie should become saine- thing af f amily doctor* for yaur car. Don't be outsmarted Although most garages operate honestly, it is always better ta be prepared and informed. Ilere are some important things ta keep in mmfd when yaur car needs repairs: * Revieiiî' yuur car iwar- rantj-: know what is covered under the warranty if it stil applies: discuss it with the mechanic. * Describe t/e car's prob- lent in detail: tell the me- chanic exactly what happens, at what speeds or under what circumstances. Don't be afraid ta ask questions.. * Ncver sign blank order forms: find out how much you will pay for parts and labor. Ask for a written cast estimate and specify that repairs over a certain amaunt must first be authorized by you. Keep a copy of the es- timate. e W/at dôes t/he %ork warrant '1 tover.' Find-out if it applies ta bath parts and labor. e*Ask io see t/me old de- *IL'Ltd'L parts before paying your bill. lie should show thenm ta you wilîngly. e Kc'ep vour iork order and repair bis l'or future reference. They can serve as your car's *medical' file and may camne in handy in the event of a dispute. If you're not happy with the repair work donc. discuss the problem calmly with the mechanic or the manager/ owner. If you don't get satis- faction. you may be helped through The Business Prac- tices Act or The Motor Ve- hicle Dealers' Act, bath ad- ininistered by the consumer ministry. A new bookiet T/he Nuts and Balts of Car Repair. as well as other information on cars. can be obtained from the C'onsumer Information Centre. 555 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M7A 2H6. Being an informed car owner can take the worries out of driving. Tire Ta&k Check your 'tires at Ileast once- a monda; keeping themn filled to the recommended pressure will help them last longer and save.on gasoline, too. Energy Saving Tips The way you drive can save gas! By ac- celerating gently, letting your car "coast" up 'to intersections and flot driving too fast or too slow, you can improve your mileage, tests have showaq. the engine to run too cool, gas mileage would suifer another 7 per- cent reduction, costing the owner another $4.90. With a sticking choke that figure would be substantially greater'. It ail adds up; in this hypothetical case tot- aling $19.60, says Car Care Council, who points out that most ofthe factors listed above become more critical in cold weather. Starting, dif ficulty and' engine neglect run hand in hand, for ex- ample. Tire inflation- pressure decreases when outside air temp- erature drops, at which rDoes your vinyl if so - time the effeets of a become stuck thermostat also nounced. o100plus cost We also do - e Seat Repairs 0 Carpets e Convertible Tops 1SC Body Side Moldlng *Pin Strlplng *Boat Seats *Total Car Interlors m of lumps & bumps Corvette Intr'" ~666u1 9i71 411 ,DundasE. SN-AP RAD SERVICE Get ready for winter SPECIAL Expires November 15 <Antifreeze $8.00 Per GaLi nstalledi Most new car manufacturers recommend antif reeze be changed every year. Remem ber an ounce of prevent ion is like a pound of cure. Bring your car in and let us... " Pressure check your cooling system " Check belts e Hoses eRad Cap " And Thermostat Our special powe r f Iush and chemical f lush can give your cool0ing systemn a clean start. SNAP RAD SERVICE 300 Dundas St. E. i- TBY more pro- hoflavelumps & bumps?' it's ti.me to replace it. Oshawa Auto Parts Ltd. 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