COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL February 25, 2015
5B
Don’t forget headlights when
performing routine maintenance
Veteran and even novice
drivers understand the im-
portance of visibility when
they get behind the wheel
of their vehicles. When
visibility is not an issue,
drivers can more easily see
their fellow motorists and
better anticipate potentially
dangerous situations. But
when visibility is compro-
mised, drivers and their
passengers are vulnerable
to a host of dangers, including inclement
weather and aggressive motorists.
Many things can affect drivers’ vis-
ibility on the road, but those who take
a proactive approach to improving their
visibility can put themselves in a better
position to handle any negative situa-
an engine of power. Drivers may notice
tions that may arise. One of the ways to
sluggish acceleration.
do just that is to pay more attention to
Air fi lters also can get so dirty that the
your headlights. Often overlooked when
engine stalls completely. But such a
performing routine vehicle maintenance,
problem only develops after considerable headlights must be maintained to ensure
neglect.
optimal visibility for drivers.
Air fi lters may not need to be replaced at The following are a few ways drivers can
each and every oil change service call.
improve the performance of their head-
Many technicians advise replacing the
lights to make their vehicles safer for
fi lter every 8,000 miles. However, driv-
themselves and their passengers.
ers who live in particularly dry and dusty • Pay attention to the headlights’ output.
regions may need to replace fi lters more
Perhaps the most noticeable indicator
frequently.
of an aging headlight is its light output.
Mechanics can often detect when an air
As bulbs start to dim, drivers may fi nd
fi lter needs to be replaced. If he or she
themselves struggling to see during
notices the air fi lter is particularly dirty,
twilight and at night. That diffi culty is
then it’s probably time to replace it.
not necessarily because drivers’ own
Replacing the fi lter is a relatively inex-
vision is failing, but may be a result of
pensive repair for the amount of perfor-
aging bulbs whose light output is gradu-
mance and peace of mind a new fi lter
ally reduced by the effects of humidity,
provides.
electrical resistance and fi lament fatigue.
Drivers who notice their headlights are
not producing as much light as they once
did should know that reduced output is
a telltale sign of aging bulbs that need to
be replaced.
• Say “so long” to the status quo. Rec-
ognizing dimming bulbs is just the fi rst
step toward improving the performance
of your headlights. The next step is for
drivers to recognize that all headlight
bulbs are
not cre-
ated equal.
Instead of
replacing
OIL CHANGE W/WIPER BLADES existing
bulbs with
with Multi-Point Bumper to Bumper Inspection
the same
Diesels Excluded.
type of bulbs
Coupon includes 5 quarts of non-synthetic oil
provided
Coupon Expires 4-15-15
by their
Mention this ad for pricing.
vehicle’s
manufac-
518 Hwy. 99 South
turer, drivers
(541) 942-7112
can vastly
Please call, Appts. Appreciated
Why a clean air fi lter is
important in your vehicle
Motorists routinely check their tires for
proper infl ation, top off engine fl uid lev-
els and maintain oil change schedules.
But some drivers do not understand the
importance of keeping engine air fi lters
clean.
Engine air fi lters are a relatively inex-
pensive vehicle part, but they perform a
very important job. For every gallon of
gas a car burns, it uses the equivalent of
12,000 gallons of air, and that air must
be fi ltered to help keep an engine clean.
Air fi lters catch all of the dust, grime,
insects, sap, leaves, and any other de-
bris that may get sucked up past the
air intake of the vehicle’s grill and into
the engine itself. Without the air fi lter,
those contaminants may compromise the
engine, causing corrosion and abrasion.
If the air fi lter in the engine becomes too
dirty and is not changed regularly, the
engine is starved of air.
Clean air fi lters allow just the right ratio
of air to fuel to enable the engine to
function properly. Engines need ad-
equate air for the combustion process
to take place. Without the proper com-
bustion levels, vehicles cannot perform
properly or effi ciently and the engine
may burn more gas or get fewer miles
to the gallon. A dirty fi lter also can rob
$
34.95
improve their visibility by upgrading to
a bulb designed to provide more light
than the standard halogen bulbs found
in many of today’s vehicles. Leading
automotive lighting manufacturer Philips
produces a range of Upgrade Headlight
Bulbs that offer up to 100 percent more
light on the road than standard halogen
bulbs. That’s a signifi cant benefi t to driv-
ers, as motorists’ visual acuity is reduced
by 70 percent at night, when statistics
from the National Highway Traffi c Safe-
ty Administration indicate 49 percent of
all fatal accidents occur. The NHTSA
also notes that the fatality rate per mile
driven at night is roughly three times as
high as it is during daylight hours.
• Find the right fi t. The right headlight
bulb can dramatically improve visibil-
ity when driving at night, but what’s
good for the goose is not always good
for the gander. That’s because motorists
drive for various reasons and on various
roads, so the right bulb for seniors who
don’t often take to the highways will not
necessarily be the best fi t for commuters
who routinely drive long distances. Phil-
ips makes a headlight bulb for every type
of driver, and each Upgrade Headlight
Bulb creates a better beam pattern that
is dramatically longer than that provided
by standard halogen lights, ensuring
drivers can safely see no matter how ac-
customed they are to driving at night.
• Let there be light. Regardless of how
effective a bulb has the potential to be,
drivers who don’t routinely clean their
headlights will continue to have their
visibility compromised. Certain preven-
tative measures can help drivers address
headlight issues before they appear,
ensuring their visibility is not compro-
mised. When checking your oil in the
driveway or even when you’re fi lling up
at the gas station, take a few moments to
inspect your headlights and address any
issues that arise as soon as possible.
Trusted Auto
Repair & Service
Reliable & affordable • Fast & friendly
From maintenance and tune-up services to
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Your
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Headquarters
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541-942-8022
4245 S. Pacific Hwy. 99 • Cottage Grove
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"!
Open Saturdays
We’ve built our reputation helping friends and
neighbors like you stay safe on the road with
honest and reliable automotive service.
BRAD’S COTTAGE GROVE CHEVROLET
15% OFF ANY SERVICE
With Coupon Not Valid on services exceeding $100
Schedule your appointment today! Not valid with any other offer.
541-942-4415 • 2775 Row River Rd • Cottage Grove
Expires 3/5/15
Cottage Grove
Sentinel
2775 Row River Road | Cottage Grove
541-942-4415 | www.bradschevy.com
