spring car care 2011

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Grand Forks Herald,Friday, April 15, 2011

MetroCreative

Many motorists bemoan themyriad costs associated withowning a vehicle. According tothe National Automobile Deal-ers Association, the averageprice for a new car in theUnited States is slightly morethan $28,000. But as any vehicleowner knows, that sticker priceis only the beginning. The costof maintaining a vehicle andkeeping it on the road is not ex-actly small potatoes.

As the economy begins to re-bound, a significant percent-age of motorists have resolvedto keep their vehicles on theroad longer in an effort tostretch their automobile dol-lars. That’s a sound resolution,and one that is not necessarilydifficult to accomplish. Con-trary to popular belief, cars arebuilt to last, and it’s often a ve-hicle owner’s poor habits thatreduce a car’s life expectancyas opposed to the vehicle man-ufacturer’s shoddy product.Drivers looking to lengthentheir vehicle’s lifespan can em-ploy preventive maintenancethat should keep a car runningstrong for years to come.

Air filterWhen examining the vehi-

cle’s air filter (check the vehi-cle manual for location), look

for dirt or dust buildup. If thefilter is filthy, simply replaceit. Auto parts stores sell air fil-ters, and most driversshouldn’t have trouble replac-ing a filter by themselves. Adirty air filter can negativelyeffect fuel economy and makeit seem as though a vehicle isconstantly going uphill in astiff wind. When a dirty air fil-ter is replaced, drivers will no-

tice an instant impact in howthe car drives and are likely tosave a few dollars at the fillingstation as well.

Belts and hosesIssues with belts or hoses are

often recognizable to thenaked eye, regardless of a dri-ver’s automotive skill. A hosein poor condition can appearbulging or brittle, and shouldnot feel too soft or too hard. If ahose exhibits any of thesesymptoms, replace it. A beltthat’s worn or frayed shouldalso be replaced.

Brake fluidOne of the more expensive

repair jobs on a vehicle is toreplace the brakes. Brakes willneed to be replaced over thecourse of a vehicle’s lifespan,but drivers should routinelycheck the vehicle’s brake fluid.Without sufficient brake fluid,the brakes’ lifespan decreasesdramatically. Checking thebrake fluid is easy, simply lookin the owner’s manual to findbrake fluid reservoir and re-move the lid (some vehiclesmight require the lid be un-screwed). The reservoir willlikely have instructions on theinside advising how muchbrake fluid should be added. Ifthe fluid is below the line of

demarcation, add fluid up tothat line. But be careful not tooverfill. Check the brake fluidlevels on a monthly basis.

Motor oilOil change guidelines have

changed dramatically thanks tobetter cars and more reliablemotor oils. But it still helps tocheck motor oil levels afterevery fill up. If motor oil levelsare low, add more oil. If oil issignificantly low after each fillup, consult a mechanic just tobe safe.

ExhaustOnce a year, be it at a routine

tuneup or should repair workbe necessary, ask your me-chanic to check the vehicle’semissions. Failing an emis-sions test might be against thelaw, and a failed test could beindicative of a larger problem.

In addition, inspect the muf-fler and exhaust pipe for holes,particularly after winter, whendebris from snow trucks maydo significant damage. Replaceany damaged or rusted parts.

Power SteeringPower steering fluid should

also be inspected on a monthlybasis. Checking power steeringis the same as checking the oil,but it helps to also inspect the

pump for any leaks.

TiresKeeping tires properly in-

flated pays numerous divi-dends. Properly inflated tiresmake it easier for the engine tooperate, lowering fuel costswhile also decreasing wearand tear on the engine. Theowner’s manual should list arecommended tire pressure,and the local filling stationlikely has an air pump.

Maintaining tires also in-volves checking for wear andtear. Uneven wear could indi-cate the tires are misaligned.Discuss this with your me-chanic.

Transmission fluidWhen checking transmission

fluid, do so while the car isrunning and after the enginehas warmed up. Always be cer-tain to put the parking brakeon when checking transmissionfluid. If the vehicle needstransmission fluid, add the rec-ommended fluid but be carefulnot to overfill.

Prolonging a vehicle’s lifes-pan is not as difficult as itsounds. Oftentimes, all it takesis minor, yet routine, mainte-nance to keep a car on the roadfor years and years.

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2 Grand Forks Herald/Friday, April 15, 2011

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Automotive trade schools a popular choice for recent graduatesMetroCreative

The changing face of today’sjob market has led to an in-crease in the popularity oftrade schools among both highschool graduates and profes-sionals looking for a careerchange. Job seekers are eagerto quickly enter a workforcethat offers stable employmentopportunities.According to a survey by the

Bureau of Labor Statistics,there will be approximately 2.3million unfilled jobs in variousskilled trades in 2010. The au-tomotive industry is no excep-tion to this trend. AnOccupational Outlook publica-tion from the Bureau of LaborStatistics estimates that autoservice technician and me-chanic jobs will grow 18 per-cent between 2000 to 2010. Thereport states that job opportu-nities are expected to be goodfor people with formal train-ing; strong diagnostic andproblem solving skills; andknowledge of electronics andmathematics.“Whether consumers are

driving sports cars, hybrids,electric vehicles or motorcy-cles, there is always going to be

a need for qualified automo-tive technicians,” said TomKing, director of enrollmentmanagement at Ohio TechnicalCollege (OTC), a Cleveland-based school providing techni-cal training in a variety oftransportation industries. “Asbaby boomers retire, competi-tion for those qualified work-

ers will grow and ultimately in-crease the availability of morehigh-paying skilled labor jobs.”Ohio Technical College is

currently teaching 1,000 futuretechs how to service the manyvehicles on today’s roads aswell as those still on the hori-zon. Founded in 1969, theschool draws students from all

over the country to study awide variety of techniciantraining programs in Automo-tive, Diesel, Auto-Diesel, Colli-sion Repair, Classic CarRestoration, High Performanceand Racing, Welding and Pow-erSport Technology.Many trade schools, includ-

ing Ohio Technical College,offer an advantageous balanceof classroom learning and real-world shop skills using the lat-est technology and equipment.The specialized training helpsjob seekers increase their mar-ketable skills and their abilityto gain employment. Depend-ing on which program a stu-dent graduates from, OTCboasts a job placement per-centage between 80 to 95 per-cent.“The hands-on experience of

a technical trade school is veryappealing to today’s employers,many of whom are too short-staffed and pressed for time toinvest in extensive training,”continues King. “And theshorter certificate programstypically cost less money thana four-year university.”For instance, Ohio Technical

College students enroll in 18-

month automotive program.Once completed, they have theoption to choose a specialtysuch as High Performance andRacing, Alternative Fuel Vehi-cles, Custom Paint and Graph-ics or even an AssociatesDegree of Applied Science. Inaddition, OTC is one of onlyfour BMW Service TechnicianEducation Program (STEP)training centers in the UnitedStates, which allows studentsto work on the latest technolo-gies in a 27-week intensivetraining course. Upon comple-tion, students can start workingin any BMW dealership acrossthe country.Ohio Technical College,

which was named the Tomor-row’s Technician/ChicagoPneumatic 2009 School of theYear, boasts an 800,000-square-foot campus in two Ohio cities.The school’s branch campusPowerSports Institute (PSI) re-cently moved into a 210,000-square-foot facility in nearbyNorth Randall, Ohio, to pro-vide technical training on mo-torcycles, snowmobiles,personal watercraft, ATVs andmore.

�� An Ohio Technical College student receives hands-ontraining in his automotive electronics course.

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Automotive leaks: How to find ‘em and fix ‘em

�� You don’t have to be a mechanic to diagnose and treat thevarious leaks common to vehicles.

MetroCreative

Drips on the driveway. Stainson the cement. Something’sleaking under the hood of yourvehicle.

An automotive fluid’s dis-tinctive color can help the do-it-yourselfer get to the bottomof what’s leaking: coolant(bright green or red), oil (oilybrown), trans fluid (oily red) orpower steering (clear). Just slipan old bed sheet or piece ofwhite cardboard under the ve-hicle overnight and by the nextmorning you’ll have the an-swer.

That tells you what kind ofleak you have — part one of theprocess. But part two is figur-ing out where the leak’s comingfrom so you can repair it.

To eliminate the guessworkand be absolutely certainwhere the leak is coming from,now there’s a quick, easy way.

And you don’t need to be a me-chanic to fix it.

Super Seal Automotive StopLeak is a two-part “Find-a-Leak / Seal-a-Leak” system. Itcontains both ultraviolet (UV)dye to easily detect the sourceof the leak, and advanced seal-ing chemistry to repair com-mon leaks in automotiveengines, transmissions, radia-tors and power steering sys-tems.

After adding the UV dyechemical to system, simplystart the engine and drive thecar or let it idle for fifteen min-utes to allow the “Find-a-Leak”dye to circulate. Stop the en-gine, then inspect.

See the UV dye? That’swhere your leak is (for best re-sults, use a UV light with gog-gles). Then, use an enginedegreaser or other cleaningproduct to remove any linger-ing dye.

Now that you’ve found thesource of the leak, the nextstep is to fix it. Add the entirecontents of the appropriateSuper Seal “Fix-a-Leak”Sealer.

After driving for the firsttankful, do another leak checkfor the UV dye. No leaks? Nosigns of UV dye? Then you’regood to go. Larger size leaksmay require a second applica-tion or professional repair.

Super Seal comes in four ap-plications: 12-ounce SuperSeal(R) Power Steering StopLeak, 12-ounce Super Seal(R)Transmission Stop Leak, 12-ounce Super Seal(R) EngineOil Stop Leak, and 12-ounceSuper Seal(R) Radiator Stopleak. These products are avail-able at many automotive retail-ers and hardware stores. Formore information, visit www.ef-products.com.

Caring for yourcar during summerCar Care Council

Summer can be tough oncars, especially during hightemperatures when heat candestroy batteries and stress thecooling system and tires. As aprecaution, these vehicle com-ponents should be checked pe-riodically during summer tohelp avoid breakdowns and carproblems, according to the CarCare Council.

Excessive heat and over-charging shorten the life of abattery. Heat causes batteryfluid to evaporate, which thendamages the internal structureof the battery. A malfunction-ing component in the charging

system, usually the voltage reg-ulator, allows too high a charg-ing rate, which will eventuallydestroy a battery.

To get the most life out of abattery, the council recom-mends having the electricalsystem checked to make sure itis charging at the correct rate.If your car’s battery is the typethat needs to be topped off,check it often, especially in hotweather and add distilledwater if necessary. Keep thetop of the battery clean. Dirtcan become a conductor, whichdrains battery power. If corro-sion accumulates on battery

SUMMER: See Page 5

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terminals, it becomes an insu-lator and inhibits the currentflow.The cooling system also

works harder during hot tem-peratures to prevent overheat-ing of the engine. To keep thecooling system working effec-tively, the coolant and distilledwater mixture for a vehicle’sradiator should be 50:50. As areminder, never open a hot ra-diator cap when checking thecoolant level in the reservoir.As a rule of thumb, the

coolant should be changed an-nually on most vehicles. Thiswill keep the cooling systemfresh and clean inside, whichhelps prevent corrosion andassures that the coolant hasthe proper boiling point andprotection. A pressure test,thermostat test, a cooling fantest and a visual inspection forleaks and corrosion shouldalso be done annually. Hosesand drive belts should bechecked for cracks, bulges orfrayed edges.The radiator should be kept

clean by periodically using agarden hose and a soft brush tocarefully remove bugs, dirt anddebris.Tires also need special care

in warmer weather as hightemperatures put added stresson them. To maximize tire lifeand safety, check the tire con-dition and inflation pressuremonthly, and have the tires ro-tated every 6,000 miles. Sum-mer heat will cause thepressure within a tire to rise,therefore, it’s important tocheck the pressure when tiresare cold. The owner’s manualincludes the recommended airpressure for your vehicle’stires.“It takes very little time and

money to make sure your carruns properly during summer,and although breakdowns hap-pen, they can definitely beminimized by taking a fewextra preventive maintenancesteps,” said Rich White, execu-tive director, Car Care Council.The council reminds mo-

torists that the vehicle’s exte-rior also can be damaged bysunlight, UV radiation, acidrain, salt, dirt and air pollu-tion. To protect the paint andfinish, vehicles should bewashed weekly and waxedevery six months.

Continued from Page 4SUMMER/

Supplies forcar enthusiasts

�� The 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302.

MetroCreative

Maintaining a fresh-from-the-showroom look on a prizedvehicle takes a little work andthe right supplies. Car enthusi-asts will want to outfit theirgarage or workshop with theseessential items:�Heavy-duty bucket�Ultra-premium car wash� Grit guard (to ensure dirt

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MetroCreative

Recent studies have esti-mated that many Americansspend as much as three hours aday in their cars. Over thecourse of a typical week, that’salmost one entire day behindthe wheel. That not only trans-lates to lots of face time withyour vehicle’s interior, but italso provides ample opportuni-ties for the buildup of dirt,grime, coffee, and food stainsthat can leave a car’s interiorappearing haggard and worn.In addition to robbing a car’s

interior of its aesthetic appeal,the buildup of dirt and greasecan also cause the vehicle todegrade over time. Though it’scommon to associate vehiclemaintenance with what’s underthe hood, drivers should alsomake maintenance a priorityfor the vehicle’s interior. Whencleaning a car’s interior, ad-dress each and every nook andcranny.

Consoles and cupholdersPerhaps no part of a vehi-

cle’s interior is more suscepti-ble to dirt and grease buildupthan the center console, whichis typically home to a vehicle’scup holders. Spilled coffee orsoda is something every drivercan relate to, and cleaningsuch spills is harder than itsounds. No Touch(R) InteriorDetailing Mousse from Perma-tex, a leading innovator of automaintenance, repair, and ap-pearance products, is speciallyformulated to remove not onlystubborn stains, but also olderones, making it ideal for takingcare of that long-ignored yetunsightly residue at the bottomof your cupholder.

Clean under thecarpetsParticularly after a long win-

ter, a vehicle’s carpets can be amajor eyesore. Remove thefloor mats and thoroughly vac-uum any dirt buildup thatmight have multiplied witheach winter snowstorm orspring shower. Your carpetswill look better and last longer.

Dashboards and doorpanelsIn order to drive a vehicle,

motorists must look out overthe dashboard. Despite that,dashboards are often over-

looked when it comes to clean-ing a car’s interior. No TouchInterior Detailing Mousse isformulated to remove unsightlydirt or grease buildup from allinterior surfaces, includingplastic, rubber, vinyl, andleather, while drying to a satinsheen to minimize dashboardreflection on the windshield.What’s unique about No TouchInterior Detailing Mousse isthat it applies as a mousse,meaning there won’t be any ofthe messy overspray and seep-age into components and ventsthat drivers typically worryabout when cleaning the dash-board and door panels.

Address theupholsteryWhen buying a new car,

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for most used car buyers, sodrivers should be diligent andclean their upholstery regu-larly, including immediatelyafter any spills. Be carefulwhen using water to clean theupholstery, as you don’t wantany water getting into places

that can damamge electricalcomponents or create a moldysmell.

Practice preventivecareMuch like humans, a car is

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Maintenance applies to your vehicle’s interior, too

�� An interior car care product like No Touch Interior Detailing Mousse from Permatex can helpmotorists easily and effectively combat dirt and grease buildup.

MetroCreative

Around 3 million pickuptrucks are purchased and usedfor various reasons across thecountry each year. With somany light trucks on the road,the wise driver can take heedof safety precautions whendriving this type of vehicle.

Pickup trucks tend to be thesafer of the two vehicles in acollision with another car. Thisis called “passive safety.” Thelarger size and the higherstance means the vehicle willprobably suffer less damagethan the smaller car. Its heightalso puts it on par with thebumpers of other trucks andSUVs.

However, pickups do havesome disadvantages that willneed to be taken into consider-ation in order to drive safely.Pickups have a higher rolloverpotential than passenger cars.Therefore, turning should bedone slowly and cornersshouldn’t be taken like one isdriving on a racetrack. Accord-ing to the Department of Trans-portation’s Fatality AnalysisReporting System, in 2007, themost recent year from whichstatistics are available,rollovers accounted for 59 per-cent of SUV fatalities, 46 per-cent of pickup truck deathsand 25 percent of car fatalities.Although pickups have a lowercenter of gravity than SUVs,they can still rollover if drivenaggressively.

Another thing to consider isthe heavier weight of a pickup,which causes the pickup tohave a longer stopping dis-tance. This means pickup driv-ers will need to add an evengreater space cushion betweenthe pickup and other vehicleson the road to be able to avoidroad hazards.

Something else to consider isthat pickups are not designedto be nimble, overly responsivevehicles. They are primarilydesigned for hauling. Thatmeans swerving around obsta-cles isn’t achieved as easily asit may be in a passenger car.Again, this drives home thepoint of leaving more space toreact to the road.

Pickup drivers should alsonote that many pickups, withthe exception of a few, arerear-wheel drive vehicles. This

means that the back wheelspower the forward movementof the truck. When the cargobed is full, this can work outfine. However, when the cargobed is empty, the front half ofthe truck tends to be the heav-ier part of the vehicle, and es-sentially the lighter half of thetruck — the empty back — ispushing the truck along. Onslick roadways this can causefishtailing or poor breaking.An easy fix is to keep some sortof cargo in the bed to weighdown the rear of the vehicle,but this isn’t something alldrivers remember.

The height of pickup trucks(and SUVs for that matter) cre-ate blind zones in the back ofthe vehicle and below the front

grill. The organization Kidsand Cars, which works to im-prove child safety, says thatroughly 90 children die eachyear when drivers back overthem while they are in blindzones. Items lying in the drive-way, such as bicycles and toys,may also be the victims ofblind zones. Pickup driversshould be aware of blind zonesand make efforts to checkthese areas before backing upor pulling out. Backup camerascan also provide assistance.

Pickup trucks are largelyused for transporting personalbelongings or for commercialpurposes. They are much saferto drive when pickup ownersknow the particulars of truckdesign and maneuverability.

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Drive pickups safely

�� Drivers who prefer pickup trucks, like this Chevy Colorado,can drive safely if they understand the differences betweenpickups and cars.

7 automotive myths revealed MetroCreative

When it comes to cars, manydrivers would admit their tech-nical knowledge is lacking. Inaddition, automotive technol-ogy is constantly changing,making it hard to separate carfacts from fiction. The follow-ing are some of the most com-mon myths and misconceptionsabout vehicles.Myth 1: Higher octane fuel

causes all cars to run better.Fuels are rated according to

how they prevent detonation inthe engine. Higher perform-ance engines generally havehigher compression ratios andare more prone to detonation.They require high-octane fuel

to prevent this. Other engineshave different compressionrates and usually require alower-octane fuel. Unless adriver hears engine pinging orknocking, switching to a higheroctane will not improve per-formance due to the engine de-sign. Drivers can save theirmoney and stick with “regu-lar.”Myth 2: You must service your

vehicle at the dealership or thewarranty will be voided.

It is illegal for dealerships toforce service be done strictly atthe dealership. Routine main-tenance can be done by othervendors. Find out if certain

MYTHS: See Page 8

MetroCreative

It is a common sight many anautomobile owner is all to fa-miliar with: A car is strandedon the side of the road with thehood open and smoke billow-ing out as an exasperateddriver looks on shaking his orher head.An overheated engine can

render a car useless in a mat-ter of minutes. A vehicle is pro-pelled by an engine thatignites gasoline and causescontrolled explosions within.An engine can produce quite alot of heat. Compound this withexternal temperatures and anoverheated engine may occur.Other mechanical factors canalso cause an engine to over-heat. These include a faultythermostat to regulate coolantsupply to the engine and evenan inoperable radiator fan.Experts say an average car

engine is designed to operatewithin 195 to 220 F. Anythingabove that could cause enginefailure. Overheating can causea lot of damage to a car. It maydamage and burn holes in theparts. Rings, pistons or rodbearings may become im-paired, or one can blow a headgasket. Coolant is designed toprotect an engine to a point,but it can also become compro-

mised under high heat. Boilingcoolant may cause the radiatorand hoses to burst.The best way to avoid engine

and vehicle trouble due tooverheating is to prevent anengine from becoming over-heated in the first place. Hereare strategies to employ.1. Ensure that coolant levels

are maintained and there are

no leaks that would causecoolant to drip out. Be sure theright coolant is being used forthe particular vehicle.2. Dirty, inadequate motor oil

cannot dissipate heat as wellas clean oil. Check the oil leveland viscosity. Change the oilbefore a long trip or if it lookspast its prime.3. Confirm radiator hoses are

in good working order and donot look worn out.4. Have a mechanic check

that a radiator fan is workingand that there is adequate airflow through the radiator.5. Be aware of engine tem-

perature by watching the gaugeon the dashboard.If an engine seems like it’s

about to overheat, here aresome steps to take.� Slow down, and pull into

the right lane. Turn on the heatin the car and open the win-dows. This may draw heat outof the engine block, whilemaintaining a slow pace cancontinue to draw air over theengine.� Pull over and open the

hood to allow the engine tocool.� Top off the radiator with

coolant. Water can also work ina pinch.� Take frequent breaks dur-

ing long road trips to allow theengine to cool down for at least15 minutes.� Be sure to clear the radia-

tor from obstructions, includ-

ing leaves or insects that mayhave collected.Men and women without

auto maintenance experienceshould not touch anythingunder the hood. Consult with amechanic to determine engineoverheating causes.

after-market parts installationmay affect the warranty, buteven these should be okay.Myth 3: Idling uses less gas

than restarting the engine.Drivers don’t have to sit

idling, wasting gas and con-tributing to added emissions.Restarting a warm engine doesnot use more fuel than idling acar.Myth 4: All wheel drive (AWD)

makes a vehicle invincible in in-clement weather.AWD can provide some

added traction going up asnowy hill or coming out of aturn on a rain-slicked surface,but it doesn’t make a vehicleinvincible. AWD will do littleto help a driver avoid road haz-ards or grip the pavement incorners. Tires, suspension anddriver skill are essential aswell.Myth 5: Side mirrors are prop-

erly adjusted when a driver cansee the side of the car in each.In fact, they are improperly

adjusted if the sides of the carcan be viewed. Moving out themirrors just a bit more reducesthe need to look over a shoul-der to check for blind spots,which takes a driver’s eyes offthe road.Myth 6: All-season tires offer

more traction in the rainy sea-sons.Unless a person lives in a lo-

cale with considerable snow-

fall, it’s best to avoid all-seasontires. A standard tire has moregrip, both wet and dry, than anequivalent all-season tire.Myth 7: Antilock braking sys-

tems were designed to createshorter stopping distances.ABS actually was created to

enable a driver to steer out ofdanger and not spin out whilebraking. Shorter stopping dis-tances may occur, but they’re aside effect of the system’s de-sign.

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Continued from Page 7MYTHS/

5 steps to avoid engine overheating

�� An overheated engine can render a car useless in a matterof minutes.

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MetroCreative

Once the weather warms up,the lure of a road trip is oftentoo strong for many adventur-ous motorists to resist. Thosewho want to get away from itall and enjoy the minutiae ofthe trip often take to the roadin short jaunts or extensivesightseeing vacations.For road-trippers, it’s often

about the drive itself more sothan the destination. There’ssomething appealing about hit-ting the open road and seeingthe sights you would otherwiseif traveling by air.Thanks to displeasure with

customer service and risingprices for commercial flights, agrowing number of travelersare taking to the road, as is evi-denced by the number of carson the highways. Often afford-able when done correctly, theroad trip is ideal for cash-strapped families or singletonslooking to vacation on abudget.* Make a plan. Although part

of the mystique of the road tripis traveling at will, travelerswho want to maintain somecontrol over their travelsshould set a course of travelthat inlcudes both lodging andrestaurant locations. It pays toknow where gas stations are,including ones that stay openfor 24 hours. Running out offuel can quickly spoil a roadtrip.* Clean the car before de-

parting. Chances are, road-trip-pers will acquire maps, fastfood wrappers, discarded cups,and other paraphernalia whileon the road. Starting out with a

vehicle already overrun withjunk can make traveling a drag.Clean the car before departingfor the road, and continue todo so periodically during the

trip.* Mix highways with local

roads. What’s the fun of takinga road trip if all that’s seen is asea of cars going 65 mph? Besure to travel on slow-goinglocal routes in addition to high-way driving to mix up the tripand ensure the best opportuni-ties for taking in scenery.* Delegate tasks well. Find

out who in the car reads mapswell, is good at choosing touristspots, makes meal decisions,and all the other necessities ofthe trip. Play toward people’sstrengths, which will make fora more enjoyable trip.* Get documents in order.

Don’t forget to bring along anupdated insurance card, li-cense, registration, and anyother necessities. Gettingpulled over in an unfamiliarlocale is never fun, but it canbe less stressful if you know allof your documents are on handand up to date. Inspect docu-ments well in advance of thetrip to allow for replacementsto be sent if need be.

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On the road again

�� A road trip is an ideal wayto see the sights of thecountry without the stress ofair travel.

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How often tochange motor oil?MetroCreative

Much confusion or misin-formation exists about howoften drivers need tochange their vehicle’smotor oil. Though it pays tochange motor oil to keepthe engine operating opti-mally, such changes don’tneed to be done as often asthe average driver thinks.As engines have become

smaller, more fuel-efficient,longer-lasting, and betterfor the environment, enginemaintenance guidelineshave changed. And motoroils have changed as well.There are additives to helpreduce engine wear andmaintain the oil’s viscosity,and detergents in today’smotor oils help wash engineparts and prevent sludgefrom forming.For years the 3,000 mile

oil change interval has

been the standard practice.While this may have beenadequate for older cars andless advanced motor oils,today’s vehicles can actu-ally go much longer be-tween oil changes.Drivers looking to pro-

long oil changes can turn totheir owner’s manual forthe suggested oil changeschedule for the make andmodel. Many have guide-lines depending on howoften a motorist drives hisor her vehicle. Those thatroutinely drive throughmuddy or dusty areas maywant to change their oilmore frequently. Othersmay be able to change theoil every 5,000 to 7,500miles.Drivers should not be

scared off by the look oftheir oil. The detergents

OIL: See Page 10

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and additives in motor oil arecreated to suspend debris inthe oil so it doesn’t foul up en-gine parts. Therefore, the oilmay look darker. This does notnecessarily indicate that theoil needs to be changed morefrequently. Stick to the sched-ule in the manual.

Individuals seeking confir-mation that they can go longerdurations between oil changescan have a motor oil analysisdone. This will confirm thequality of the oil after havingdriven a certain amount ofmiles.

The 3,000 mile oil change in-terval is no longer the industrystandard thanks to advance-ments in both engine andmotor oil technology. Chancesare most vehicles can go longerbetween oil changes and stillcontinue to drive well.

Continued from Page 9OIL/


Don’t be blind to the problem of sun glare while driving

�� Use polarized sunglasses to help protect against sun glare.

MetroCreative

Snowy weather and icy roadsmay create their share of auto-mobile accidents, but sun glarecan be a hazard that few peo-ple anticipate.

There are certain drivinghazards that people often ex-pect when getting behind thewheel, including slipperyroads, an animal darting out orreduced visibility due to driv-ing rains. But sun glare maynot be something drivers ex-pect to contribute to hazardousconditions.

Sun glare can be a nuisanceand make for dangerous driv-ing, particularly in the earlymorning or late afternoonwhen the sun is low on thehorizon. The angle of the raysmay render sun visors useless.Accidents due to sun glare dooccur and more frequentlythan drivers may know. In Octo-ber 2007, sun glare was respon-sible for at least two accidentsin Colorado. In the first fewmonths of 2010, data compiledby the Abu Dhabi Traffic De-partment showed the sun’sglare was blamed for 22 minorcrashes. Sun glare is a problemall around the world.

To prevent sun glare frombecoming a hazard whenyou’re driving, consider thesesafety tips.�Delay driving times to

occur before or after sunrise orsunset.�Use polarized sunglasses

that can help prevent glare.�Do not use high-gloss prod-

ucts on the dashboard, whichcan contribute to extra glare.�Keep the inside and out-

side of the windshield clean.�Make use of sun visors.� If glare is a problem, leave

extra space between your carand others in the event of sud-den stopping or other road haz-ards.�Drive slowly and be mind-

ful of obstructions.� Try taking another route

that goes in a different direc-tion than the one from whichthe sun is shining.� Leave extra time so that

you don’t feel rushed getting toyour destination.� Eye exams or surgery can

make eyes more sensitive tothe sunlight. Avoid drivingafter these appointments.

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April is National Car Care MonthCar Care Council

National Car Care Month inApril is the time of year to giveyour car some extra attention.Basic maintenance can go along way toward improving thesafety and dependability ofyour vehicle, plus it helpsavoid costly repairs down theroad. “Neglected vehicle care al-

most always means muchhigher costs down the line inthe form of more extensive re-pairs or lost resale value,” saidRich White, executive director,Car Care Council. “Chancesare if you own a car, it needssome work. National Car CareMonth in April is the perfecttime to focus on your vehicle’smaintenance needs.”Results of community car

care events held throughoutthe country in 2010 show thatmost consumers are neglectingtheir cars, with seven out of 10vehicles failing at least onecomponent of the vehicle in-spection process. (For a com-plete list of results, visitwww.carcare.org/NCCM.)“These results show that the

majority of vehicle ownerscould save money by beingmore proactive when it comesto their vehicle,” White said.“Whether you do it yourself ortake your car to a professionalservice technician, make sureyour car is ready for the springand summer travel season.”The Car Care Council recom-

mends 10 basic maintenanceprocedures to keep your caroperating at its best:� Check the oil, filters and

fluids. Oil should be checkedat every fill-up and changedper the owner’s manual recom-mended intervals. Brake,transmission, power steering,coolant and windshield washerfluids should also be checkedregularly. Your car’s filters, in-cluding those for the transmis-sion, fuel system and interiorventilation, need regular in-spection and replacement.� Inspect hoses at each oil

change and have them re-placed when leaking, brittle,cracked, rusted, swollen or re-stricted. Check V-belts and ser-pentine belts for looseness andcondition, and have them re-placed when cracked, frayed,glazed or showing signs of ex-cessive wear. Typically replacethe timing belt between 60,000and 90,000 miles or the intervalspecified in the owner’s man-ual to avoid a breakdown or se-

rious engine damage.� Check the engine brake

system every year and have thebrake linings, rotors anddrums inspected at each oilchange.� Check that the battery con-

nection is clean, tight and cor-rosion-free. The battery shouldbe securely mounted. If it isthree years old or more, thebattery should be tested andreplaced if necessary.� Inspect the exhaust system

for leaks, damage and brokensupports or hangers if there isan unusual noise. Exhaustleaks can be dangerous andmust be corrected withoutdelay.� Schedule a tune-up that

will help the engine deliverthe best balance of power andfuel economy and produce thelowest level of emissions.� Check the car’s heating,

ventilating and air condition-ing (HVAC) system as properheating and cooling perform-ance is critical for interiorcomfort and for safety reasons,such as defrosting.� Inspect the steering and

suspension system annually, in-cluding shock absorbers andstruts, and chassis parts, suchas ball joints, tie rod ends andother related components.� Check the pressure of all

tires, including the spare, atleast once a month. Check thetread for uneven or irregularwear and cuts and bruisesalong the sidewalls. Have yourcar’s alignment checked atleast annually to reduce tirewear and improve fuel econ-omy and handling.� Test exterior and interior

lights and have bulbs that arenot working checked immedi-ately. Replace windshieldwiper blades every six monthsor when cracked, cut, torn,streaking or chattering for opti-mum wiping performance andsafety.

�� Removing road grime and other plagues of automotivepaint on a routine basis keeps a car looking its best.

Carwashingdos anddon’ts MetroCreative

Car enthusiasts will tell youthat one of the best ways tomaintain that new car look isto keep up with a frequentwashing schedule. Removingroad grime and other plaguesof automotive paint on a rou-tine basis keeps a car lookingits best.There are some rules of the

road when maintaining the ex-terior of a vehicle to ensure thefinish remains in pristine con-dition. Keep in mind these dosand don’ts.DO use products specifically

designed for automobiles.Household cleansers may begood at removing dirt, but theymay also strip off the protec-tive wax on the car.DON’T wash the car while it

is hot, after it’s been sitting outin the sun a while or directlyafter it’s been driven. Thewarmth can cause the waterand soap to dry faster, leavingunsightly deposits.DO wash off dead insects,

road salt, mud, etc., as soon aspossible. Otherwise these sub-stances may stick to the paintand cause erosion.DON’T assume the rain will

clean the car. In areas withacid rain, it’s actually essentialto rinse a vehicle off after itrains to prevent damage.DO move the sponge length-

wise along the vehicle.Swirling the sponge may causetiny scratches.

Car Care Council

Automotive technicians areoften compared to doctors.This comparison undoubtedlymakes some techs smile andothers grimace. But in the end,the two professions have a lotin common. It may surpriseconsumers to find that bychoosing these professionalswisely, they can get better careat a better price. When itcomes to choosing a repairshop, many experts extol thevirtues of the clean facility, awall adorned with ASE certifi-cates or a coffee pot and sometasty snacks. While these itemsare important, these four vitalquestions tell most of the story:

1) Will the service advisor ortech take time to listen to yourdescription of the car’s prob-lem?

2) Can they explain things toyou in laymen’s terms?

3) If necessary, will they test-drive the car with you?

4) Do they have the knowl-edge and equipment to diag-nose and repair it the firsttime?

Back to the doctor/techniciancomparison. Some doctors aregreat diagnosticians. They canpin point a malady when theirpeers are coming up with

empty charts. What’s the differ-ence between that doctor andthe people wearing whitecoats? Possibly his/her knowl-edge and perhaps equipment,but probably it’s listeningskills that sets the really greatdocs apart from the good ones.When choosing a professional,the variety that looks after yourcar or the variety that looksafter your body, ask them thefour-questions. In effect, audi-tion them. See how the doctortakes care of your flu and howthe tech deals with an oilchange before visiting withsomething more serious. Watchhow they handle their time andbe aware of how much time isallotted to you. Are they tunedinto your problems and askingrelevant questions? Are theyproviding an objective opinionbased on information they’vegarnered during your discus-sion? Can they explain theproblem and solution to you inlaymen’s terms?

The bottom line is this timeis money. The less time thesepeople are willing to spend onthe front end often multipliesthe amount of time needed onthe back end. In the case ofboth the doctor and tech, theextra time spent having to fixyou or your car a second or

third time not only is expen-sive, it can be detrimental tothe car or patient’s condition.

Most regions are teemingwith automotive professionals(and doctors, too) who aretrained to listen, learn, testand correctly repair your vehi-cle (or body) the first time. Byworking with a great shop, overthe course of time you can saveendless hours and cash. Andhere’s an added bonus, patron-izing these professionals andtelling your friends means thatmore folks can enjoy and bene-fit from their outstanding busi-ness methods.

The Car Care Council is thesource of information for the“Be Car Care Aware” cam-paign, educating consumersabout the benefits of regularvehicle maintenance and re-pair. For more informationvisit www.carcare.org.

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Save money on car repairwith these four questions

Drivers beware! The perilof potholes are upon usCar Care Council

Hitting a pothole can dam-age tires, wheels, steering andsuspension, wheel alignmentand more. The Car Care Coun-cil recommends that motoristswho experience any of the fol-lowing warning signs after hit-ting a pothole should have aprofessional technician attheir local repair shop inspectthe vehicle.� Loss of control, swaying

when making routine turns,bottoming-out on city streets orbouncing excessively on roughroads. These are indicatorsthat the steering and suspen-sion may have been damaged.The steering and suspensionare key safety-related systems.

Together, they largely deter-mine your car’s ride and han-dling. � Pulling in one direction,

instead of maintaining astraight path, and uneven tirewear. These symptoms meanthere’s an alignment problem.Proper wheel alignment is im-portant for the lifespan of tiresand helps ensure safe han-dling.� Low tire pressure, bulges

or blisters on the sidewalls, ordents in the rim. These prob-lems will be visible and shouldbe checked out as soon as pos-sible as tires are the criticalconnection between your carand the road in all sorts ofdriving conditions.

Make sure vehicle lights shinebright for safe spring drivingCar Care Council

Spring is here and its arrivalmeans warmer weather, morehours of daylight and springbreak travel. Making sure yourheadlights are in proper work-ing order should be a top prior-ity before hitting the road thisspring, says the Car Care Coun-cil.

“Many motorists think tocheck their vehicle’s lights infall or winter when the daysare shorter, but checking light-ing before the spring and sum-mer driving season is just asimportant,” said Rich White,executive director, Car CareCouncil. “Better weather andlonger days mean more drivingand longer trips, often afterdark. Lights play a major rolein safe driving, as the chance ofan accident increases if youcan’t see or be seen.”

Lights are normal wearitems that require periodic in-spection and replacement. Thelighting system provides night-time visibility, signals andalerts other drivers, and sup-plies light for viewing instru-ments and the vehicle’sinterior. From the driver’s seatyou may not notice a light that

isn’t working, so be sure to in-spect your car’s lights at everyoil change. At the same time,inspect and replace wiperblades so you can see clearlywhen driving during springshowers.

In addition to replacing dim-ming, rapidly blinking andnon-functioning lights, the fol-lowing tips can help keep yousafe:�Keep headlights, tail lights

and signal lights clean. Exter-nal dirt and debris can dim op-erational lights from beingseen by others.�Make sure that your head-

lights are properly aimed.Miss-aimed headlights blindother drivers and reduce yourability to see the road.�Don’t overdrive your head-

lights; you should be able tostop inside the illuminatedarea, otherwise you are creat-ing a blind crash area in frontof your vehicle.� If there is any doubt on

whether or not your headlightsshould be on, turn them on.Lights not only help you seebetter in early twilight, theyalso make it easier for otherdrivers to see you.

spring car care 2011

Documents

vehicles brake fluid

sufficient brake fluid

muchbrake fluid

thebrake fluid

ifthe fluid

findbrake fluid reservoir

air filterwhen

adirty air filter