Page 8B

The Castlegar Sun

Wednesday, May 24, 1995

May Is Car Care Month

AUTOMATIC
STICK-SHIFT,
AND 4X4’S

How to avoid getting
the gears

Excerpted from
Chatelaine,

Submitted by lke Braga,

Riverview Chev Olds

The modern engine is a
technological marvel but
it has one giant-sized
limitation. It delivers
useable power within a
limited range of engine
speeds, A typical V/6
might produce maximum
horsepower from 3800
rpm, and: maximum
torque from 2200 rpm.
As the rpm’s drop to a
few hundred, it can hard-
ly turn a wet sock.

Slocan Valley Recreation
Commission #8

Box 8, Slocan Park, B.C
Phone: 226-7744

R e c'ing It

Which is why the engine
must have gears.

Most people prefer auto-
matic transmissions to do
the gear-changing for
them. Indeed, many have
never learned how to
change gears, which is a
pity because manual trans-
missions retain definite
advantages, such as accel-
eration, economy, and
above. all, safer car control.
When shopping for a man-
ual, check the smoothness
of the clutch action and
how easily it slips from
gear to gear. If an automatic

+ C.O.RE. HUNTER TRAINING: A must program for anyone wishing to obtady «valid B.C.
Hunting License. May 31st to June 22nd (Wed. & Thurs.) 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Brent Kennedy School.
Instructor: Ron Milton. Fee: $70/8 sessions (inc. marual) PRE-REGISTER BY MAY 244

+ CREATING YOUR OWN ROCK GARDEN: A hands-on experience with pro. Sat., May
27th. 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Carlotta's, Winlaw. Instructor: Linda Graber. Fee: $12/1 session.
PRE-REGISTER BY MAY 19th.

» “PLANL & BAIL” - THE MOUNTAIN BIKE SKILLS CLINIC: Leam the right way to
trail ride. For Ages 8 and older. Sunday, May 28th rioon to 4:00 p.m. Elderbee Greens, Perrys
Siding. Instructor: Krispen Elder & friends. Fee: $10/! session. PRE-REGISTER BY MAY 18th.

+ SENIORS FITWEEK - A PICNIC ON COUGAR ROCK: It's 2 gentle hike for seniors
culminating in # picnic overlooking the Slocan Valley above Winlaw. Tuesday, May 30th 11-00
‘am to 1:30 pm. Facilitators: Craig & Sandy. Totally free & don't forget your lunch! We'll tell you
where we're meeting when you let us know you're coming. PRE-REGISTRATION A MUST.

+ THE ROCK HOUNDS' FIELD TRIP: Discover the geological wonders of the Slocan
Valley like galena, sapphires, gamets and more. Sunday, June 4th, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Meet at
W.E. Graham School, Slocan. Instructor: Dave Barclay. Fee: $8/1 person and discount family
rates, PRE-REGISTER BY MAY 30th

+ HEALING FLOWER REMEDIES: Leam how to capture a flower's healing essence.
Sunday, June 11th. 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. Netta's Garden, Pass Creek. Instructor: Netta Zebroff.
Fee: $15/1 session. PRE-REGISTER BY JUNE Sth. *

ORGANIC MECHANIX

Towing ¢ VW Specialists * Import Car Experts
Used & New Parts « ICBC Repairs
Government Inspections

INDOOR SWAP MEET

in conjunction with
Kootenay Cruise
* AUTOMOTIVE «
* COLLECTIBLES «
* ANTIQUES
* CRAFTS «

Saturday, June 24/95
(8 am - 3 pm)
Castlegar
Community Complex
Stall Rental: $5 (10'x10')
For more info. contact:
Dick or Diana

365-8130

Crescent Valley 359-7625

3.1 Lt V/6

power windows, power door locks,

GM SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE $22,423

engine, overdrive automatic transmission,
anti-lock braking system, cassette stereo, power seat
back recliner, drivers side air bag, air conditioning,

60/40 split front seat, tilt wheel, cruise control

STEERING,
SUSPENSIONS, BRAKES

The Unseen Advantages

Though it sounds like a form of mediaeval tor-
ture, rack-and-pinion steering is the favorite with
those who seek driving pleasure, The rack is a gear
laid flat (looks like a row of mountain peaks) and
the pinion is a gear on the end of the steering col-
umn. More direct than other systems, it provides
better feel of the road.

Four-wheel independent suspension means each
wheel reacts to the road independently, which
improves ride and roadholding, a definite plus in
many situations (though a few cars have very

wheels of some.

effective non-independent rear suspensions)’

Disc brakes resemble a hockey puck on each side
of a saucer; they’re lighter and less susceptible to
heat than drum brakes. You'll find them on the
front wheels of all modern cars, also on the rear

is your choice, look for four
speeds, electronic controls,
and one that doesn’t

Auto Glass Replacement
Towing
2316 - 6th Ave., Castlegar

—EEEi)Oi
Sierra SUX model, 350 cuin V/B, NC. oveteive
auto. bit steering nurse contol.

stereo, deep tted glass tally wheels

2 door coupe, 22 Lt 4
bucket seats, automan
Just ke New, only 56 000 kms

*8,995

1991 TOYOTA PICKUP

a

2.4 Lt engine automatic transmission

Twn cam 16 valve engine
5 spond, cassette. cruise contr 4 new tes
arly 71 000 bm

“hunt”. The latter has noth-
ing to do with chasing
foxes; it’s a situation
wherein an automatic hunts
back and forth, as though it
can’t decide which gear it
wants to be in.

FRONT-
WHEEL-
DRIVE TO
FOUR-
WHEEL-
DRIVE

A horse at
both ends

Front-wheel-drive
allows better design
packaging since none of

the mechanicals, such
as transmission and
driveshaft, intrude on
the passenger compart-
ment. And it puts the
weight of the engine
over the driving wheels,
giving superior traction.

Four-wheel-drive
(4WD or 4x4) is fea-
tured in sport/utility
vehicles, vans, sand
pickup trucks. Tradi-
tionally, it. required
switching from two-
‘whéel-drive by adjust-
ing the wheel hubs.
Many such vehicles
now offer optional
“shift on the fly,” with a
push-button for the
changeover. Not intend-
ed for dry roads when
in 4WD, and not to be
confused with all-
wheel-drive systems.

All-wheel-drive is a
sophisticated full-time
system that drives all
the wheels all the time,
giving added traction in
rain, snow, and on cor-
ners; also effective on
dry roads. Usually
offered as an option on
expensive sports
sedans.

Traction control, a
less costly compromise,
utilizes the car’s com-
puter to limit wheelspin
when power is applied.
This can get you mov-
ing on slippery stuff
and helps avoid loss of
directional control in
corners. Growing in
popularity.

WE’VE

A LIGHT ON

KEPT

Wednesday, May 24, 1995

The Castlegar Sun

Page 9B ,

May Is Car Care a

STYLING

Designed by Nature

For many of us, styling
is a dominant factor in
(decision-making and no
one knows this better than
the automobile manufac-
turers. Your problem is to
recognize the difference
between gimmicky styling
and design that lasts. The
latter means you won’t
tire of the car and it will
hold its value longer. But
how do you know what’s
acceptable design?

Exaggerated shapes
quickly go out of fashion
and stuck-on styling has a
habit of looking like yes-
terday’s fad long before
the last payment is made.
The best designs are clean
and simple, which has a
positive effect on resale.
Those that retain their
value are classic in form,
with well-balanced pro-
portions and a minimum
of external decor. -

The most profound
effect on modern design
is caused by aerodynam-
ics. Try this simple test:
next time you’re driving
along a quiet road, stick
the palm of your hand
into the airstream. Your
hand will be forced back
by the pressure of onrush-
ing air and the faster you
travel, the tougher it is to
keep it there. Now imag-
ine the power required for
an automobile, with its far
greater mass, to penetrate
that air. And since energy
is needed to create
motion, the more air you
push the more fuel goes
through the engine.

The way to reduce this
aerodynamic drag is by
streamlining the body.
The vehicle can then trav-
el the same speed with a
smaller engine and less
fuel. That helps explain
why today’s cars are low
in the nose and high in the
tail; a wedge is aerody-
namically efficient. It is

ideal shape, they all get
the same answer, which is
why modern cars tend to
look alike. Now nature
(aided by the computer) is
playing another hand in
automobile design; the
most recent trends are
toward organic shapes,
with rounded edges and
contours.

There’s nothing wrong
with buying a car because
you like the styling but
before you do, remember
you’re making a very
expensive purchase and
how an automobile deliv-
ers its promise of perfor-
mance is what counts in
the long run. Which may
be reason enough to look
more than skin deep.

YOU CAR IS
NOT YOUR
LIVING —
ROOM

A car is not a living
room on wheels. Auto-
mobiles operate in situ-
ations that change every

Auto Body

& Hull Painting

~Commten hate Gnty Repae « Custom Painting

“Fara
Boat Repairs and Pat Retinishing

. jatatioan, ~ Gel Coating - Metal Keel Capping
ICBC CLAIMS HANDLED PROMPTLY
1364 Forest Roap (Lasart's Bina.)
Turn at 141 Ave. * 365-2505

* All Makes - Models
© Complete Radiator Work

© Custom Work
ALL GENERAL AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR
Mon. - A *8a.m. - 5 pn:
Sat. ¢9 a.m. - 1 p.m

CASTLEGAR MUFFLER LTD.

1335 Columbia Ave.,

365-0100

second, Control of the
automobile by means of
body-hugging' seats,
visibility, clarity of
information provided
by the instrument panel
and positioning of
levers and switches are
more important that
plush cushions or
space-age styling.

Firm bucket seats pro-
vide the best support,
yet you can buy cars
with minimal front seat
contour because some
buyers prefer wide,
deep seating. True com-
fort requires being held
snugly in place, the seat
bolstering you against
the lateral forces caused
by cornering. Look for
a seat with, an
adjustable lumbar. sup-
port to give your back
the relief it needs.

Too many buttons can
be distracting, especially

Custom
Silk
Screening

at night. The best cock-
pits feature large buttons
and switches that are
identifiable by feel and
within easy reach,
allowing you to keep
your eyes on the road If
you are willing to learn
what your instruments
mean (the explanation is
in your owner’s manu-
al), then choose 4 vehi-
cle that provides more
than the basic
speedometer and gas
gauge. Many functions
are backed by warning
lights so if you opt for
less, at least know what
the lights are for.

It Doesn't Cost Anymore
To Choose The Best

YOUR COMPLETE AUTOBODY & COLLISION CENTRE
* WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT ¢ FRAME REPAIR
* CUSTOM PAINTING ¢ SENIORS DISCOUNT
* LC.B.C, CLAIMS * COURTESY CARS
QUALIFIED JOURNEYMEN

ra COULTON 1)

a yards -—

ri .
> Cruise -
Registration being taken
for 3rd Annual Kootenay
Cruise, June 24, Castlegar
Community Complex.
Open show with
12 judged categories.
For more info., call
Dwayne or Doreen

365-7616;
693-5520
or Mike
365-6460

KOOTENAY
BATHTUB REGLAZE

Quality

ATH MASTER
orem mu

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* SAME DAY USE of your bathtub or other fixtures
* NO MESS and NO ODOUR « FREE recaulking

* COLOR of your choice * EASY CLEAN SURFACE

* Tile or tub surround do NOT have to be removed.

» Serying. the West CASTLEGAR

| _.Kgptenay/Boundary Area 365- 6647

O=;

Mazda 626 Cronos DX
with factory ‘air’
and really cool rates.

Finance at

1995 626 Cronos DX
Lease from

*10,995
1993 SATURN SCI

also “people friendly” -
the lower hood improves
visibility, the high tail
increases head-room and
trunk space. Trouble is,
when auto makers ask’ the
wind tunnel to create an

0/ f* 24 months
O° 36 months
02% 48 months

No limit a on all 626 Cronos models

* $283,

per month/48 months

POt.LttIcC €&
ROADCHECKS
MAY 26 —- JUNE 5

We expect to stop about 600,000 cars in our roadcheck campaigns this year.
All part of an effort that has helped cut the proportion of alcoho!
related accidents in B.C. by about 50% since the program began

This special 626 Cronos DX features factory IAZDA

‘air'and STANDARD EQUIPMENT such as -
; sakes dual'aii'bi £-TEASE

power steering, power brakes, dual air bags

(SRS), side-impact door beams, child-safety rear locks, tilt

14,888

EXCELLENT SELECTION — 7 IN STOCK
Mileage ranges from 17,000 kms. to 22,000 kms
Balance of GM 3 year, 60,000 km
bumper-to-bumper warranty

13800 V/6 engine. overdrive automate at
condiboning power windows & door locks
fully loaded, only 47 000 ims

a NEW TIRES
from $25/mo.
0.A.C.

| SATISFACTION GUARANTEED

Guaranteed We offer:
workmanship at ‘jai
guaranteed prices + Competitive Door Rates
When you bring + Courtesy Vehicle or
your car tolus you + Return Transportation
+ Free Repair Estimates

fully |aaded
h. d i

*14,995 = 605 ve ou word on

CASTLEGAR mazpa

713 - t7th $t., Castlegar

LAUER) DRINKING DRIVING — sre
EEE EARISS ca Cort meen O05" 7 241

Versus Camry & Accord...
626 Cronos DX comes with a
standard AM/FM auto-reverse
cassette sound system with
4 speakers, power steering,
and more interior room.

steering column, and more interior room than Toyota Camry
and Honda Accord. Plus the 5-Year Mazda Warranty

mazpDa
IT JUST FEELS RIGHT

Brought | to. you by your local Mazda Dealer

a moe BUICK GMC (1989) LTD ~ KALAWSKY | COUNTERATTACK MAZDA SERVICE

1¢ al ci ame OF Ca ‘alle PONTIAC BUICK GMC (1989) LT 0|
A program of the Government of Britssh Cohambxa

The Spirit
| of excellence; /

|as——

han — as ——
aes 3155 5 Collect — nH OCA ed
TRAM. FRUITVALE. ROSSLAND 365-2155 Collect

CUSTOMERS CALI 964-0213, FRUITVALE

eal ROSSLA
JOMERS CALL een

The Spirit
of eccellence/

Castlegar Mazda - - 713 - 17th Street, 365-7241