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,
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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
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