¢ 19, 1991

Peace of mind: Finding a good and reliable

ic is i when

General tips can help
avoid repair problems

Many people feel runecane when their car
is in the hands of a

When you think that an eutomobile i is made
up of more than 15,000 parts, it’s understand-
able if you feel you’re out of your depth when
something goes wrong. There are some general
pointers that can help you avoid problems with
car repairs so that you won't ever need to talk
to your lawyer about suing your mechanic.

First of all, leave the diagnosis to the me-

Describe the symptoms as best you can, but
don’t try to impress the mechanic with your di-
agnostic skill.

If you tell him the battery is dead, don’t be
surprised if you get a new battery — even if all
you needed was a new fan belt to the alternator.

Make an that allows gh

you if you get into a dispute with one of them
over their work.

Ifthat happens, you should pay for the work
even if you can’t settle the dispute because, if
you don’t, the repair shop can register a lien
against the car and eventually seize it and sell
it.

The first thing you should do, if there is a dis-
agreement over the quality of work or the
charge, is to talk to the mechanic or the owner
of the garage.

If that doesn’t work, call the automobile as-

ion if you're a ber. (If not, contact a
private consumer group).

Asa last resort, you may end up consulting a
lawyer, or taking the case yourself to small
claims court.

time for the job to be done properly. If you bring
your car in on Saturday morning and you need
it by noon, you may be asking for slipshod work.

Report unsolved or new problems right away.
If you had a tune-up and the engine still miss-
es, ask for a recheck immediately.

Always give the mechanic a phone number
where you can be reached. Ask him to let you
know how much the work will cost before he
starts doing anything.

If the cost seems high, ask for a written quote
and take the car to another shop for a further
estimate so that you can compare.

Automobile mechanics in B.C. are De xe

Obvi ,, it will be worth your while to shop
around for a reliable person to work on your car.
And, when you find a mechanic who does good
work, stick with him.

When you call the the shop for an appoint-
ment, remember to specify that he do the work.

Even when you know and trust the mechan-
ic, though, you won't know everyone'who might
be in the shop during the day.

So you're well advised to remove all valu-
ables from the glove compartment and trunk
when you leave your car on a garage lot — or
anywhere, for that matter.

You should also leave only the ignition key to
the car. This will

li pate itd el trae

proved Auto Repair Services Program.

Under this plan, garages contract with the
association to honest work and to guar-
antee it. If; member, the BCAA will give
you a list of participating garages and will help

the lost.
Peed Tips tes aw pris provided by
the Law Society of
se a reey are for ein information
pera ahs posite lawyer.

Ig goes wrong with your vehicle.

Battery

continued from page 2

If your car is hard to start
because of a weak battery, re-
place it before it lets you down.
When buying a battery, you'll
be selecting from among sev-
eral within the size range that
fits your car. In addition to
price, your decision may be
based on length and type of
warranty, cold cranking amps
and reserve capacity.

The latter indicates how
long the battery will hold up
without

This usually is expressed
amperes of output per so
many minutes. When compar-
ing battery specifications, one
must compare output and re-
serve on the same amper-
age/time basis.

Typically, reserve capacity
rating will refer to the amount
of time a battery can produce
25 amps at 27C.

(Headlights may draw
about 15 amps versus a tail-
light’s 1.5 amps.)

Cold cranking amps refers
to the engine starting (crank-
ing) output at -18C for 30 sec-
01

EEL SV&ESCARICARERY QD

Subaru dares to be different
with Legacy Turbo 4WD

By Greg Wilson

If Subaru had a motto, it would
probably be, “Dare to be different.”

Subaru was a pioneer in the use of
full-time four-wheel-drive in its pas-
senger cars and is currently one of on-
ly two car companies to offer four-
wheel-drive on all of its models (the
other is Audi).

Subaru is also the only car compa-
ny to offer a continuously variable

issi (in the sub

dusty).
As well, Subaru is one of the few au-
k 3 to ‘oe sepia

each
other 0 of in line or in a V pat-
tern).

The only two other manufacturers
offering this type of engine in Canada
are Ferrari and Porsche (nice compa-
ny). With Subaru’s reputation in mind,
I didn’t expect the new Legacy Turbo
to be like other cars.

While its looks are nothing to get too
excited about, its engineering is any-
thing but dull. There's more tech

Based on the Legacy four-door
sedan, which was first introduced last
year, the Le; <7 ede standard
equipment inclye
2.2-litre four-cy)
four-wheel drive,
brakes, four- at ‘disc brakes, a very
well-equipped interior, plus room for
five and their luggage.

It’s a perfect car for families who
love skiing, or those who do a great
deal of winter driving.

Legacy’s full-time four-wheel drive
system normally allocates power to the
front wheels but, should they lose trac-
tion, up to 50 per cent of the power can
be transferred to the rear wheels.

Full-time four-wheel drive systems
are particularly useful on snowy icy,
wet or slick surfaces.

Combined with the Legacy Turbo’s
standard anti-lock braking system
(which prevents the wheels from lock-
ing up in panic braking situations), the
Legacy Turbo is a comparatively safe
car to drive in inclement conditions.

Its turbocharged 2.2-litre four-cyli

gy packed into this compact car than
a aeiy ostie Sime oce: sedan iy 3s
8.

der aluminum alloy engine with four
valves per cylinder develops 160 horse-
power, compared to 130 for the nor-

LEGACY (L-PX)

Full Time 4x4 Drive

Power Windows, Door Locks, Stereo Pkg.

1830 HWY. #6, VERNON, B.C.

LOYALE

mally aspirated motor.

Legacy Turbo also has larger venti-
lated disc brakes on all four wheels, a
stiffer handling suspension, a limited
slip rear differential, and 15-inch HR

VEHICLE SPECS

Subaru Legacy Turbo

Type: 4-door, 5-passenger sedan
Layout: Transverse front engine,
full-time 42WD

Engine: 2,212 cc, 4 cylinder, SOHC,
16 valves with turbocharger, multti-
point fuel injection

Horsepower: 160 at 5,600 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed manual or
electronically controlled 4-speed

— ni d all —_

1 ind,

standard. The penalty paid for the
added weight of the four-wheel drive
hardware, turbocharger and extra fea-
tures, however, is poorer fuel economy,
Compared to the front-wheel-drive
Legacy, the Legacy Turbo’s fuel econo-
my drops an average of 15 per cent.
Transport Canada ratings are 32
mpg/highway, 23 mpg/city. This car al-
80 requires more expensive premium
unleaded fuel.
As mentioned, the interior i is well-
q d. Standard i ior fare in-
cludes air conditioning, an 50 watt
AM/FM stereo

Tires: 195/60 HR 15 all-season
radials

Curb weight: 1,461 kilograms
(3,220 pounds)

Wheelbase: 2,581 mm (101.5
inches)

Length: 4,510 mm (177.6 inches)
Width: 1,690 mm (66.5 inches)
Height: 1,350 mm (53.5 inches)

Trunk space: 423 litres (14.9 cubic
feet)

Fuel economy: avg. 10.5 litres/100
kilometres (26 miles per gallon)

Warranty: Basic—3 years/60,000

with
er, electric sun roof, contoured height-
adjustable sport seats, split fold-down
steering wheel, shift knob and hand
brake lever.

Legacy Turbo is alone in its class. As
far as I can determine, there are no
other four-door sedans under $30,000
equipped this well.

; Powertrain—5 years/
100,000 kilometres

On Demand 4x4 Drive, 5-Speed, Power

Steering, Power Brakes, Tilt Steering

$18.569 *13,299

“Prices do not include freight; or P.D.1.

HILLTOP SUBARU

$9 969

JUSTY ar axa)

On Demand 4x4 Drive

5-Speed

*

PHONE 542-2324 or TOLL FREE 1-800-663-6430