The Castlegar Sun Wednesday, February 23, 1994 Drinking coffee while driving raises accident risk, says experts More and more Canadians are having that second cup of coffee in the moming while driving to work. But drinking coffee while driving can increase your chances of being in an accident, says the | Some drivers use commuter mugs, which have a specially designed lid to help.control the flow, and a mug holder that attaches to the car's dashboard. Others stop at a convenience store and take out their coffee in foam containers. Driving is a full-time job, the LILI. notes, and drinking coffee while driving diverts your attention. If you hit a good-sized bump LAST CHANCE alipinenmndi TO SAVE ON '93s (eeeeenal of there —~ and possibly an accident. Accidents can be avoided “Crashing your car b you had to drive and drink coffee at the same time makes no sense at all,” says Barbara Taylor B a You probably don't give it much thought, but would, you be prepared in. c: of a road emergency? Suppose your vehicle were to break down in the middle of nowhere— would you feel safe? If you've never stopped HOO Be safer on roadside breakdowns gauge for tires, a metal gas can and a can of STP Flat Tire Repair, in your vehicle. In case of a routine flat, STP Flat Tire Repair can inflate a regular-size tire invless than one it 80 you shouldn't be ded for long to consider this before, now, with shorter days and the temperature dropping, it's time LLL's consumer consultant. Many motor vehicle accidents could be avoided if drivers would simply go back to basics and not let coffee, a snack, the car tele- phone, the stereo or even the kids interfere with your driving, Taylor Burkett suggests. O.K. for passengers While drinking coffee and driving should be a no-no, it's O.K. if you're a passenger. In fact, a safe driver makes sure that only pas- sengers use the car phone or have coffee. Adding insult to injury “And don't expect the police PROTEGE GREAT SAVING ¢ GREAT ECONOMY = $11,993 OF a8 ite as $100 down and your good credit BRAND NEW B23 SE DON'T MISS THIS TREMENDOUS VALUE ES $11,993 ae ae | + hana ctl a fo © Casete sao + LOTS OF RAS $16,888 See our ad in the West Kootenay Advertiser SPECIAL OF THE WEEK to be too sympathetic if you tell 1993 GRAND PRIX them the accident happened because your coffee spilled,” Taylor Burketts says. “You could wind up with a ticket and a chargeable accident if your vehicle hit another car.” There are more than 34 mil- lion motor vehicle accidents across the country each year, Taylor Burkett notes. to ider' what you would do and how you can prepare yourself in case of an emergency. To. help you be safer in the instance of road- side breakdowns, First Brands Corporation, the maker of STP*, PRESTON® and SIMO- NIZ® you take a few simple steps: 1) Carry a flashlight, flares and/or reflec- tive danger signs. A flashlight will come in handy at night and can be used to flag down passing motorists or to signal your location to The or struggle with changing a flat. 4) Store emergency supplies such as jumper cables, an‘old winter coat, gloves and salt in your trunk. 5) Keep the phone number for your service station and local towing agent in an envelope in your glove compartment, along with plen- ty of change for emergency phone calls. 6) Keep in mind that a well-maintained vehicle is less likely to break down on the road. Periodic tune-ups and annual antifreeze changes will help maintain your car's perfor- mance. tow. trucks or service vehi signs or flares will make other motorists aware that a problem exists, so they can drive accordingly. 2) Before starting out on even a short trip, check your gas gauge. It's easy to forget to refuel, and running out of gas is not only a harrowing experi- ence for you, it's bad for your | ¥ fuel system. At the same time, check your oil and windshield- wiper fluid, too! 3) Keep. items, including a jug of antifreeze, a pressure Cary Maloney's Castlegar Mazda Your job gives you credit We understand credit problems Credit counsefors of duty Following these guideli will keep you safer and better prepared in case of a break- down this season. IT’S EASIER TO BE SAFE in case of a breakdown when you're pre- Flat Tire Repair can inflate a full-size tire in less than a minute, if you're caught with a routine flat. BRAND New 626 ES FULLY EQUIPPED WITH AR & BUCH ORE Lease or Payment Program avaiable to suit your aseds WTRODUVCTORY OFFER ‘We coud’ resist puting a "94 inthis a. Don't miss itt THREE pune. H . step EAPHESS PURCHASE 1 ASK FOR CREDIT Phome or jax Cantegar Mazda for your: 2795 Highway Drive, Trail, B.C. 9 ORit. = Dennis Bedin 30-1487 .; Sot. 8 o.m.-6 pan. MM. FORD seg ay ‘ A.M. | MERCURY | Trail 364-0202 poten all Call Cotert ee pera Lage dove astleger 365-0202 New! 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(604) 352-7202 Res.: (604) 365-3705 Pax: (604) 352-6181 Wednesday, February 23, 1994 F QUICK FACTS ABOUT GIN AND THE ENVIRONMENT Telease tar fewer emissions tha: paints. - In 1955 GM became the fret auto company to begin conducting atmospheric research, i « In 1971, GM became the first canaries te establish an Environmental Activities Staff. ‘iy “OM developed the LORS converter : t effective emission control technc e ‘ond 04 the scrap steel from GM stamping 5 Is recycled. s. * 100% of the feedstock cast Iron and 85% of the — wpe foundries is recycled. eae CY * Waterborne pelnt systems in use'in HS" ‘Oshawa, Ontario Truck Assembly Plant and the Car Assembly Piant at Ste. Therese, Quebec — ‘the first in North America — have d atically feduced solvent emissions during vehicle paint- me All topcoat paints are lead-free. ‘1 following: | product specifically formulat- 4 Forest Road (Labatt's Bldg.) 3rand Forks - turn in at 14th Ave. (Em Know when it's time to ‘brake’ for car repair When your vehicle needs a “brake job,” the brakes may be failing to release. The you tend 10 think only about the obvious — danger isthe condition can revere itetf and Jeave the driver with no brakes at all, + Squeal — Brakes should operate with a minimal amount of noise. Some noise is normal, but excessive squeal, screech, takes are more than shoes and pads — theyre a system that is only as stong as its weakest component. If one part of the system fails, the load transfers to another part, adding more wear and increasing the chances for failure. ‘The following are warning signs you can bbe aware of when driving. + Pull — If, when you apply your brakes, your car pulls to one side, this indicates a “palling” problem. This may be caused by an underinflated tire, misadjusted brakes, brakes that are in need of repair or a faulty + Low Pedal — This occurs when the pedal nearly touches the floorboard before the brakes function. The solution to the problem could be an adjustment or could indicate something much more serious. + Hard Pedal — If the pedal requires extreme pressure to make the brakes function, you are suffering from “hard pedal.” This can indicate power brake trouble, restricted — “Touchy” brakes that grab hydraulic lines, frozen calipers or wheel WHITEWATER MOTORS LTD. D.LN. 7253 623 Railway St.» 352-7202 with the least pressure. This may indicate problem as simple as grease or oil- contaminated linings — or as serious as a loose or broken component ready to fail in an emergency. + Drag — You are driving and experience sticking brakes, hot wheels or an engine that seems to have lost power. This may indicate cylinders, or damaged brake linings. + Vibration — Brake pedal, stecring wheel or entire vehicle shakes, vibrates or pulsates when the brakes are applied. This may indicate the need to resurface drums, disc brake rotors, or may signal a serious problem, a loose componeat of faulty steering. i We offer: * Competitive Door Rates CASTLEGAR 713 - 17th St., Castlegar This automotive tip brought to you by: Import Auto Repair Specialist Home of the Maloney “Gold ~ SPECIALIZED _ MAZDA SERVICE GENUINE PARTS _ AND ACCESSORIES Call Carl Johnson Collect at 368-7244 Contrary to popular belief, winter is one of the most important times of the year to keep up your car's appear- ance. Left untreated, the snow, salt, mud, and freezing temperatures of the season wreak havoc on a vehicle's surfaces, and in the long term can reduce its value. “Many people think they only need to wash their cars in the summer, in fair weather,” says Rick Manoogian, mar- keting manager for Armor All Products Corporation. “But the h, of a winter day, as well as its elements — _ snow, mud, and salt —- damage the sur- faces of your car.” Rocks from the road create small chips in the paint. The road's mud and salt, which both absorb and hold water, forms a layer over the paint, and slowly corrodes it. Win- ter's freeze/thaw process of night and morning worsens the situation, causing “micro cracks.” Water enters the cracks, and through the same process causes cracks to enlarge. With each water p further through the paint, until it eventually reaches metal and begins rusting. Rust will spread under the paint layers, and bub- bles can form on the paint surface due to the expansion of metal during ‘the rusting process. “Although it's not always possible, frequent washing and waxing — perhaps on the first clear day after a storm — is the best preventative mea- sure,” says Manoogian. “Just waiting until the next rain storm won't adequately do the job — it would be like taking a bath without soap.” Armor All recommends the ¢ Wash your vehicle with a ed for cars. * Ordinary household dish soap, which is sometimes used because it's handy and less expensive, may strip the wax - e SPECIAL e PIRELLI TIRES 835% - 40% off off a car's finish and leave the paint unprotected. + Be sure to hose off all the mud caked in crevices. * Dry with a clean, cotton flannel cloth. * The apply wax or polish, such as Advanced Formula Rain Dance, to form a protec- tive layer that helps repel water and dirt. Just as important, be sure to apply a protectant such as Armor All and Tire Foam, which will help to prevent fad- ing and hardening of your car's rubber and vinyl surfaces. Putting extra effort into win- ter car care will help to pre- serve your investment. Think of it as-a survival kit for your car's COHOE INSURANCE appearance. 365- 1 1127’ 4th St., Castlegar ee CLEAN UP 4, 1/2” AIR ae GUN 259°? AIR PAINT SPRAY GUN UAP/NAPA AUTO PARTS MITCHELL AUTO PARTS LID. 707 - 13th St., Castlegar, BC VIN 2K6 365-7248 CHECK THESE VEHICLES FOR UNBEATABLE VALUE! 1993 PONTIAC SUNBIRD © 4 door sedan « Air conditioning ° 2.0 Lt. over head cam engine * Automatic transmission ¢ Anti-lock braking system * Power door locks ¢ Cassette stereo systern ¢ LOTS OF EXTRAS! ’ * 4 door sedan © 2.3 Lt. E.F.I. engine * Cassette stereo system * Automatic transmission 3 $ * Anti-lock braking system 5 ) * Power door locks 1993 GRAND PRIX © 4 door sedan « Air conditioning © 3.1 Lt. V-6 engine © Automatic transmission © Power door locks ¢ Cassette stereo system © LOTS OF EXTRAS! $16 888 a 7 2T0 wan See a Kalawsky Sa KALA 1993 BUICK REGAL © 4 door sedan e 3.8 Lt. V-6 engine ¢ Cassette stereo system © Power windows & locks $4 7 888 * ¢ Anti-lock braking system Profes SKY. PONTIAC BUICK GMC (1989) LTD. ——THE KING OF CARS—— 1700 Columbia hve., Castlegar © DL 8917 365-2155 Collect * TRAN, FRUITVALE, ROSSLAND CUSTOMERS CALt 364-0213 4