-., Page 22, Whitby Fre Press, Wednesday, April 17, 1996 bY JiI Mclntosh ¶Ine-up time By- the calendar, spring 15 officially here (even if thoBe April snowflurries made it feel otherwise). It's been a bard, cold winter and your car would defimitely agree. If you haven't dons any maintenance on it for a while, this is the perfect time te start. Ifyour last oil change was in the fall, do it now. Your carls oil and filter should b. changed every three monthe, more often if you put on a lot of 'miles or if your driving consista mainly of short trips whers the engin. doesnt get a chance te fuily warm up. You will neyer damage your engins by cbanging the oul too, often; instead, moat engins problema on, older cars can, be traoed back te Infrequent changes. If you're given the option of a nsw oul filter, always take it. The old filter can contain as much as a litre of dfrty oil that won't drain out; as soon as you start up your car, that old oil mixes with the new. This is also a good time te check on the health of your cooling system, air conditioning system, brakes, belts and boss, ail of wbich are taxed by winter driving. Once again, if you haven't dons a "flush and fill" of your cooling syatem for a wbile, this ia a good time te do it. Antifreeze gradually breaks down over time and losess its ability te protect the aystem from rust and scale, wbich can eventually damags the radiator, engins block or heater cors (an extremely expensive repair). There are several preventative measures that even the mecbaniolly-challsnged can take. Wash your vehicle, then bave a good look at it. Check for rust, booss mouldings and peeling paint (ruat wilI rapidly form on the exposed metal). No treatment wilI. turn rust back inte good metal; repairing amal spots now can avoid major work later. Check that ail lights are worIng, that tires bave no bald or worn spots, tbat mufflers and exhaust systemes are not hanging down, and that the shock absorbera are atill good. To check that last one, push down bard on each corner of the car. If it bounces several times, have the shocks replaced. What if you do need some repaira dons? They're nover completely - painless (theresa always that bill at the end of it), but wbethsr you go te a dealer's service departizent, an autemotive centre or your local mechamic, thers are a few tipi te help make it a littîs sasier. *maks an appointynent, . and outlins sverytbing you want dons at tbat time. If you book an oil change and then show up with a liat of other jobs, there might not be enough time for everything. If you have a new car, check your owner's nianual te enaure that the problsm ta 'valid. For example, make sure your car bas delayed wipers before you tell the shop they're not working (don't laugh,- deaers hear that one ail the time). *Again, read the manual and make sure the problem isn't-the car'a normal operation. Common complaints include air conditioning noisea in winter (on newer cars, the compressor cornes on with the defroster, te prevent seizure during winter activity), malfunctioning daytime running lighta (they go off if the parking brake la on), and pulsation in the pedal during bard braking (that's the antilock brakes kicking in). SER PAGE 24 TOYOTA Canada provided 12 vehicles for a reent DurhamSkills Challenge event for high sohool students,- at the' Durhigam College skills training centre in Whitby, and then donated the vehicles to 12 sohools in Durham Region and Northumberland County for use -in auto technician training. Photo by Peter Nilas, Whitby Fm. Presa I ~ I i -v ~ I Traffiec conference in Whitby The Town of Whltby is the host mumicipality of the 46th annual convention of the Ontario Traflc Conference fi'om April 28 te May 1. The conference is a province- wide organization with representatives froni industry, government and enforcement agencies, with the primary goal of devsloping partnersbips and initiatives in traffic engineering, enforcement and education te improve traffic safety throughout Ontario. The convention, with the theme 'he New Economic Reality - Adapting Strategies For Sustainability and Growth," will provide presentations on how te prepare for the changes and econoniic challenges that the future bas te offer. There will be presentations on new toola and interactive technologies on the information highway te enhance traffic safety and enforcement. Present.ations on new revenus- generating and cost-sharing approachea te traffic and transportation related initiatives, such as the Highway 407 teli system, will be discusaed. Miniater, of Transportation AI Plladini will open the convention with an address on new initiatives in traffic enforcement, and the provincial government's approach te public and private partnerships for transportation growth and management. Other activitos of the convention include teurs of the General Motors car assembly plant and the Durham Region Kida' Safety Village, and a Town of Whitby banquet with the keynote presentation from Edward Robinson, president of BMW CanadaInc. There will also b. an extensive Infomart trade show with over 25- exhibitora. For mors information and te register for the convention and the Ontario Traffic Conference, cal Judy Woodley at 416-598-4138 or Peter LeBel, director of marketing and economic development for the Town of Whitby, at 668-5803. F Audi3 1 j 1 1 1