WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1988, PAGE 19 AUTO NEWSÀ Marigold Ford ready for major renovations A COMPETITOR takes a cornerat Mosport Park in the Vintage Race Festival held July 30/31. Vintage motorcycle racers, including Charlie Schaff of Whitby, Norm Sheppard and Ron Peter of Oshawa, and, sidecar . racers Mark Orchard, Steve Cornwell, Ford Wallace and Kevin Sch am of Oshawa, are among those who taee part in VRRA racing. FreePress photo Don't buy leaded fuel: minister Drivers concerned about the environment are being urged to use their power as consumers to ,,help cut back on leaded gas consumption. "You can make a statement to gas station operators by refusing to buy from retailers who promote the use of leaded fuel by selling it more cheaply. than unleaded," says Ontario Consumer Minister Bill Wrye. A price differential between the two fuels still exists at some stations despite attempts to eliminate it with recent tax changes. Taxes on leaded fuel were raised by three cents per litre. Although the price gap has narrowed, it is still as high as four cents a litre in some places, according to statistics from the Minsitery of Energy. Few vehicles other than farm machinery require leaded gas today. However, the provincial government and environmental groups are concerned that a cheaper price tag artificially increases use of leaded fuel in vehicles that don't need it. Some new cars can run on either type, others use pollution control systems that can be damaged by leaded fuel. Yet, even some drivers whose cars are designed to use only unleaded gasoline have been buying leaded fuel to take advantage of savings at the pumps, the minister says. To prevent misfueling, the fill valves of such vehicles are fitted with collars too small to accommodate the larger nozzle of a leaded gas pump. Owners may have had the collars removed and some gas stations have changed nozzle sizes to permit the illegal use of leaded gas in these cars. Leaded gasoline currently accounts for about 17 per cent of sales in urban areas and a much larger proportion in rural regions where the use of farm machinery increases demand for the fuel. The impact of recent taxation changes is not expected to be reflected statistically for some time. The use of lead in gasoline will likely be all but eliminated in Canada by 1993. It is being phased out gradually in response to concerns that lead from the fuel is absorbed into the human blood stream, posing a health hazard. Traditionally, lead has been used as a fuel additive to raise octane levels. The octane rating is a measure of the fuel's resistance to early combustion under compression. Use of gas with an octane rating that is too low can cause so-called "engine knock." The requirements for various octane ratings are established by the Canadian Genqral Standard Board. Generally, the higher the octane rating, the more expensive the fuel. Instead of turning to leaded gasoline for savings at the pumps, some drivers try a lower octane unleaded fuel. If engine knock occurs, they go up one grade at a time until it stops. Other ways to save money on gas include ensuring tires are inflated properly, keeping the engine tuned, and using good quality lubricants. Al these tactics can cut gas consumption. According to the Ministry of Transportation, air conditioners can increase fuel consumption by eight to 10 per cent in SEE PAGrE 20 By Debbie Luchuk It appears that Marigold Ford Lincoln Mercury in Whitby may finally get the renovations and new service facility wanted for the last three years, according to owner Terry Souch. Whitby . council has yet to approve the site plan for the addition to the present facilities on Dundas St. E. but Ford has gone ahead and sent out tenders for the construction. "Planning has gone as far as it could go without site plan approval," Souch said. The addition and renovations to the existing facilities will cost approximately $750,000, accord- ing to Souch. "It will be a complete facelift for the existing facility, a complete new service and repair facility with a lot of new equipment, and a renovation of the existing building for retail parts and display area," Souch said. The plan has been frustrated for three years by ' various setbacks. "We've been working aggressi- vely on it, and have had a number of disappointments," Souch said. "As far as planning ahead, we're not planning anything specific. Realistically speaking, I can't think it would be . in before spring." Check security before purchasing warranties Consumers should not buy extended car warranties that aren't fully backed by a registered insurance company, government officials warn. Without that security, warranties would likely be worthless if the company involved went out of business, says Stephen Moody of the Ontario Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations. "Unlike warranty firms, insurance companies are closely regulated and subject to many requirements to safeguard customers," says Moody, registrar of motor vehicle dealers. 'We've already seen a few warranty companies go under in Canada. Some customers lost money and others faced a lot of aggravation as a result. Don't leave yourself open to similar problems." The warning doesn't apply to car manufacturers' extended warranties since automakers are unlikely to close down. According to Moody, 60 to 70 Car club holds Roundup 88 Street Dreams Car Club, based in Whitby-Oshawa-Ajax, will hold its annual Roundup '88 car event on Sunday, Aug. 28 at the fairgrounds in Orono. The show is open to anyone who would like to display a classic, antique or special interest car, custom car, street rod or muscle car. Admission is $5 per car and $2 per spectator with free·parking. Last year 185 cars took part. There is no judging of cars. There are games, draw prizes and music provided by a disc jockey. Cars can also be seen, free of charge, on Cruise Night, every Saturday night at the Bayly Plaza (on Bayly St., west of Harwood Rd.) in Ajax. For more information call Fred at 728-8437 or Harold at 434- 7667. per cent of new car buyers. purchase extended warranties. The proportion of used car buyers taking out similar protection is "roughly" estimated at 25 per cent. Although the majority of warranties for new vehicles are provided through the manufacturer, most used car coverage- involves third party agreements arranged through dealerships. These contracts are provided by companies set up specifically to sell warranties. About a dozen of these firms now operate in Ontario. Moody says more car buyers are taking out extended coverage because they want to avoid unexpected expenses in future. The number of used cars sold complete with extended coverage is also on the rise as more dealers realize the benefits, Moody says. "There has been a tremendous increase in the number of sed vehicles being sold with six- and 12-month power thain warranties," he says. "In my opinion, this is a good business decision for the dealers because they don't have to worry about future repair costs and it's great for consumers for the same reason. Instead of facing lengthy battles over who will pay for major repairs, the work is done under warranty quickly and at no cost to either party." This popularity of warranties with dealers carries a major fringe benefit too. "The dealers have to be sure they're selling good cars," the registrar says. "If they sell too SEE PAGE 20 CONSID HE BENEFITS OF LEASING FREES UP CASH/ MORE CARS FOR LE$$ * U W .ED.IrI3 LT . a a4ie ra a *t.waà 6',t qeq 4 q0 à :e 0t j *0 f.,. q socs WHITB Y FREE PRESS