sulting from neglect and not age. McGill
says the battery’s sole purpose is to start the
car, and that we tend to forget about the
battery because it isn’t needed to keep the
car running.
Batteries are normally checked during
routine maintenance and service visits. M e
Ask Monique
Battery Care
/ have a ' 92 Chrysler LaBaron. I take it to
the dealer for regular maintenance and check
ups. In July, m y battery bleu' up when I turned
m y car on. No one can satisfactorily explain to
me why this happened; not even the dealer. It is
the original battery that came with the cart
Pat Wheeler, Washington, D. C.
First o f all, exploding batteries are not
common occurrences, according to Monique
M cGill, a certified technician who gave us
the info on what might of happened to
W heelers Chrysler LaBaron. Battery explo
sions occur in extreme situations, largely re
ICTTCRS AND
C-M AIl
Reader Peter Hauer's conclusion that
black couples' car buying preferences
(Spring ’97) reflect an emasculation of the
black male by his own community is self-
centered and overgeneralized. Any healthy
relationship involves give and take.
Car buying represents only one of the
myriad of realms in which couples have to
render decisions affecting their lives.
Black males having the only say in car
purchases and other areas will not solve
relationship problems in 'our' community or
the many crises plaguing black men and
women.
Binta Robinson
e-mail:
Del_ Robinson_ CPA@compuserve. com
My father used to take our family for
rides on Sundays and we would sit outside
the gates of Milan Dragway. just looking
and listening. I loved the sound of the cars
and watching when their tires smoked.
I was never quite sure why we never went
in.
In 1980. I met my husband and we went
there on one of our first dates. Looking
around. I noticed that we were the only Af
rican Americans there.
My husband's interest in drag racing be-
8
chanics, when changing the oil and replac
ing the filter, should also check the battery.
It is absolutely necessary’ to have the right
balance ol water and acid for a healthy bat
tery. Too little water will cause the acid to
build up and eat away the battery. Too much
gan with his
W illy Strickland of
Inkster. Mich., who
raced a GTO at
Milan.
We have been go
ing to the track now 17
years, taking family and
friends and everyone
has returned. There is
nothing like the excite
ment you feel when the
cars leap off the line. Over the years, it has
been good to see a lot more of our people rac
ing and coming to the races.
I was very happy to see your magazine
and the story on Athina Corbett (Summer 97)
and her family. I wish them the best of luck
and will be watching for her at the track.
K. Strickland
e-mail: Kstrick18l
We appreciate the realistic article by Der
rick Malachi and Jacqueline Mitchell about the
cu rre n t sta tu s of A frica n A m erican s in
motorsports (Summer 97).
General Motors is the first American auto
manufacturer since 1908 to seriously recog
nize the added marketing value African-Ameri
can motor racing teams can offer.
We will keep you posted on our team ’s
progress.
Lenny Miller, team manager.
Miller Racing Group. Inc.
Charlottesville. Va.
G RANT HILL HAS REALLY
water will cause spillage and corrosion. Both
instances allow acid fumes to escape from
the battery. T h e mix w ith other engine
fumes could spark an explosion.
M cGill also warned about faulty wires,
which could cause sparks, that could ignite
the battery’ because o f the acid. A loose con
necting wire could also be the culprit, again
setting off sparks that could set off an explo
sion.
You can tell if your battery’ needs atten
tion, say’s M cGill, if the vehicle runs slug
gish, idles rough, starts rough or if any of
the cylinders aren't firing.
Damage from exploding batteries is gen
erally confined to the battery, which will
need replacement, as will the adjoining wires,
M cGill explains. But that can be avoided.
W hen you change the oil, take a look at the
battery’. If something looks wrong, deal with
it as soon as possible.
GOTTHE DRIVE FOR98.
On the court, his drive is unsurpassed. On the road he drives the unsurpassable
Jimmy from GMC. Just like Grant, the Jimmy is heavy on performance and rich in
style with a spacious interior that gives him room to maneuver. And the Jimmy is built
to make the moves, with a powerful Vortec” 190 HP engine, available shift-on-the-flv
four wheel drive and trip computer that lets Grant navigate with the same precision on
the streets as he shows on the court.
Plus, the Jim m y is smooth, with all the touches
of luxury a su p erstar could ask lor, including avail
able power sun roof, leather seating surfaces, heated
outside "mirrors and six speaker CI) Sound System to
keep him jamming off the court as
well as on. The 1998 Jim m y from
GMC. If you’ve got the drive,
, •
Jim m y’s got the ride.
M c G ill is a ce rtified technician a t
Antwerpn Toyota in Clarksville, M d. Ques
tio n s m ay be e -m a ile d to her a t
AAOW2@aol.com or fa xed to (313)255-
1321.
As a young African American in the car
buying market. I want to say that AAO W is
the best, most helpful automotive maga
zine out. I use it as a guide to help me in
researching cars, as well as an educa
tional tool to keep me abreast of what is
happening with us in the auto industry.
Keep doing what you are doing Mr.
Payton. Leaders like you attract those who
want to learn, who. in turn, educate others
I look forward to your next issue
Damon Remond
Voorhees. N.J.
/
I saw a story about your magazine on
BET not long ago. I said to myself, “that's
great, an African-American auto magazine."
As an African Am erican involved in
motorsports. I know that racers need a
forum to get our issues out.
In California we are trying to secure
sponsorship for African-American racing
71
teams, but without much success.
Lack of sponsorship is a sore point in
the black racing community. Many people
give up and don't bother to try to get into
the professional ranks of the sport
These problems need to be addressed
Ron Murray
Los Angeles. Calif.
I I M M Y
(
Editors' note: Letters are subject to edit
ing for style and content.
O
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1 O
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FOR MORE IN FO R M A TIO N CALL TOLL FRL L i-888-l>8-)iMM> or visi I our w lb s iil ai
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U R K AN VMERlC.ANSON'VHEElY
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