Ontario Community Newspapers

Oakville Beaver, 25 Jun 2009, p. 21

The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Oakville's Source for PreOwned Vehicles and Aftermarket Services Summer can be tough on cars, especially during high temperatures when heat can destroy batteries and stress the cooling system and tires. As a precaution, several vehicle components should be checked periodically during summer to help avoid breakdowns and car problems, according to Car Care Canada. "It takes very little time and money to make sure your car runs properly during summer," said Kelly Williams, racecar driver and spokesperson for the "Be Car Care Aware" consumer education program. "Although breakdowns happen, they can definitely be minimized by taking a few extra preventive maintenance steps." Here are some of the basic steps to take: Battery Life Excessive heat and overcharging shorten the life of a battery. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, which then damages the internal structure of the battery. A malfunctioning component in the charging system, usually the voltage regulator, allows too high a charging rate, which will eventually destroy a battery. To get the most life out of a battery, have the electrical system checked to make sure it is charging at the correct rate. If your car's battery is the type that needs to be topped off, check it often, especially in hot weather and add distilled water if necessary. Keep the top of the battery clean. Dirt can become a conductor, which drains battery power. If corrosion accumulates on battery terminals, it becomes an insulator and inhibits the current flow. Cooling System Test The cooling system also works harder during hot temperatures to prevent overheating of the engine. To keep the cooling system working effectively, the coolant and distilled water mixture for a vehicle's radiator should be 50:50. As a autoWORLD edges. The radiator should be kept clean by periodically using a garden hose and a soft brush to carefully remove bugs, dirt and debris. Tires Tires also need special care in warmer weather as high temperatures put added stress on them. To maximize tire life and safety, check the tire condition and inflation pressure monthly, and have the tires rotated every 10,000 kilometres. Summer heat will cause the pressure within a tire to rise, therefore, it's important to check the pressure when tires are cold. The owner's manual includes the recommended air pressure for your vehicle's tires. A vehicle's exterior also can be damaged by sunlight, UV radiation, acid rain, salt, dirt and air pollution. To protect the paint and finish, vehicles should be washed weekly and waxed every six months. June 25/09 21 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, June 25, 2009 Car care tips not to ignore this summer Staying current with regular maintenance will help prolong your vehicle's life reminder, never open a hot radiator cap when checking the coolant level in the reservoir. As a rule of thumb, the coolant should be changed annually on most vehicles. This will keep the cooling system fresh and clean inside, which helps prevent corrosion and assures that the coolant has the proper boiling point and protection. A pressure test, thermostat test, a cooling fan test and a visual inspection for leaks and corrosion should also be done annually. Hoses and drive belts should be checked for cracks, bulges or frayed KERR CADILLAC PONTIAC BUICK GMC OPTIMUM USED - VEHICLES 2008 CHEV SUBURBAN 2006 PONTIAC G6 SERVING OAKVILLE FOR OVER 39 YEARS! 5 .74%G CIN FINAN O.A .C. 2009 GMC YUKON DENALI 2008 CADILLAC SRX $ 39,999 $ 21,888 12,999 $ $ 62,999 , NO FREIGHT CHARGES! $ 38,999 2005 BUICK ALLURE CXL 2008 CHEV COBALT LT 2009 GMC ACADIA SLTZ ISC AWD 2006 BUICK RENDEZVOUS $ 14,888 2006 MINI COOPER $ $ 47,800 2005 PONTIAC G5 $ 13,999 2006 CHEV EQUINOX $ *09 YUKON, 09 ENCLAVE, 09 ACADIA, 09 ALLURE GM COMPANY VEHICLES. YUKON 12,900 KM, ENCLAVE 12,200KM, ACADIA 12,900 KMS, ALLURE 12,600 KMS MSRP. DISPLAY FOR REFERENCE ONLY. SALE PRICE INCLUDES ALL GM CASH PROGRAMS. PST/GST/LIC/ADMIN ($349) ETCH ($249) EXTRA. GM LOYALTY $1000 TAX INCLUDED. PLEASE CALL FOR DETAILS. 19,999 15,495 $ 905 10,888 OAK VI LLE Serving the Surrounding Community for 39 years 8 4 5 -16 81 www.kerroakville.com

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