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About Sandy post. (Sandy, Oregon) 1938-current | View Entire Issue (June 17, 1982)
2 - G f ih o m Outlook Wad., Jung 16 »982 Sondy Pott, Thur» , j una 17 1982 Small things can keep car running better by MARK STEWART of The Outlook staff Keeping an engine in tune is a relatively simple but time-consuming task which many motorists can do themselves with a few tools and a little spare time The benefits will be a smoother running vehicle which will save fuel, says Eldon Smith, M t. Hood Community College automotive instructor A motorist who does not have a vast mechanical background can make many of the adjustments necessary to keep a car and truck running smoothly, Smith says For example, a driveway mechanic can • Make sure the battery has enough water and the terminals and cables are free of corrosion, which creates a poor connec tion between the battery and starter This reduces the amount of power available to crank and start the engine. • Check the spark plugs, cleaning or replacing them every 5,000 miles for small cars and less often for larger vehicles If plugs are replaced, make sure they are of the proper heat range and that the gap is set to specifications for the engine; • If the car has electronic ignition, check the distributor cap and rotor when spark plugs are changed The engine can misfire if the cap and rotor points have a condition called carbon tracking The tracking is caused by the system's high voltage; • On many older cars, the points and condenser should be replaced Remember to lube the cam which opens and closes the points each time the points are replaced The point gap either can be set using a Here's some fresh ways to save on gas I AX A I ng for fresh ideas on way» io save gas this summer** Here are some, with ihc esti mated percentage of mileage in creases in parentheses: • Replace fouled spark plugs promptly (9%) • M a in ta in correct c a r buretor and choke operation <2*1 • M a in ta in correct tire pressure (2%) • Avoid jackrabbit starts; drive at an easy pace I |R%> Am oco, whose surveys pro vided these results, points oul that ihese percentages aren't exactly cu m ulative since the same (actors may apply io «me or more of the conditions on which comparisons are based Keep record« The o il com pany also suggests maintaining records to xlerilify luel waste, minimizing braking by anticipating speed changes and keeping your car properly lubricated, maintain ing the prescribed oil level ll. l t . s h o u ld lie right, a lixtsc lanhclt also is a gaswasier IJim inaliiig needless driving, using the air conditioner ad visedly, correcting any irans m ission s lip , m aintain ing proper wheel alignment and m stalling a Iresh air cleaner are other helpful fuel saving hints Sikorsky ’« «avers If you're driving late at night and dangerously close Io em pty. Robert Sikorsky, author of How to Get More Mil f t Per Gallon. suggests this em ergency economy method Accelerate slowly to 20 miles an hour, then quickly turn off (he ignition and shift the car into neutral Let the car slow lo five (o eight miles an hour, restart the engine and repeal until you find an open gas station W hile you can double or in pie normal gas m ileage (h it way. Sikorsky says he doesn't recommend n for everyday use, dnving down sleep grades or if your steering wheel locks when the ignition is turned off When starting a car alter the .*ngine has llrxxled. don't pump the accelerator Thai o n ly wastes nxvrr gas Instead, push the accelerator pedal lo the floor and hold il there while cranking the starter. This w ill open the throttle and dram the excess gas fn»m the carburetor II ihc engine has an automatic choke, he sure to prop (he butterfly valve open while the starter is being tu rn ed, Sikorsky advises feeler guage or a dwell meter, which is more accurate; • Change the air filter regularly A dirty filter will cause the carburetor to use more gasoline Although most newer carburetors are sealed and cannot be adjusted, make sure all vacuum lines between the engine and c rburetor are connected and in good shape. More and more cars also are using an in jection system to deliver fuel to the engine Most weekend mechanics should take their cars to a shop if problems with the injection system is suspected, • Check the belts which run the cooling fan and power accessories If the underside is cracked or they look excessively worn, belts should be replaced Also fill all fluid reservoirs and check hoses for leaks, 'COUPON VALUE I ■COUPON VALUE « ’ 10 OFF I I ARY TRANSMISSION TUNE-UP . *25 OFF ! I (WITH THIS COUPON) I replacing ones which are worn; • Also, change the engine oil and filter at regular intervals Follow manufacturer’s recommendations unless most trips are short, then make the change more often. Smith sa\» he’s found that many cars us ed prim arily for short trips and stop-and-go driving are flunking state emission tests because gasoline seeps into the engine oil. This increases crankcase emissions beyond acceptable levels The condition usually can be cured by an oil change • Check the tires regularly, making sure they have adequate pressure and are rotated every 5,000 miles Include the spare when checking for proper inflation Radials should be rotated front to rear on the same side of the car. while bias-ply tires can be moved from front to rear diagonally (WITH THIS COUPON) ANY INTERNAL TRANSMISSION REPAIR Most Foreign 0 Domestic. Regular $24.95 FOREIGN t DOMESTIC WcWda» ' oad la * l ram o ve pan » itw a l'n tp a t Iw n clean lu m p ft t t ’— o a d lu o band« t lin ko ya replace pan g u .h a t g llu id Not volid with any other discount or promotion One Coupon Per Customer EXPIRES 6 /30/82 A One Coupon Per Customer. 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