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Experts offer tips for trouble-free driving
by Heather L. Anderson
Face it, not everyone was born to be an auto mechanic. There are some people in this world who break out in hives when they have to fill the car with gas. But by following a few, simple rules, auto maintenance can be easy and painless.
- Check car fluids to make sure that they are full. This can be done at the same time that the oil is checked.
Scott Maples, an employee at Westside 66 service station, 2815 W. Sixth St., said that there are many things that a car owner can do to help in the upkeep of the car. One important step is to follow the directions for car maintenance in the owner's manual. Manufacturers differ on the specific mileage suggestions outlined for when a car should be serviced, but as a general rule:
*Have the oil and oil filter changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Maples said that it was important to change the filter because it holds a quart of oil and there was no reason to pour in new oil that would mix with the old.
- Check the oil level every other fill-up to be safe.
- Have the cooling system flushed and filled with fresh antifreeze every three years for a new car and every two years for an older model. Maples said that
antifreeze served two purposes. It keeps the car from freezing up in the winter and from boiling over in the summer.
- Don't use straight water in the radiator. The best method is to use a mixture of 50 percent antifreeze and 50 percent water.
- Have the transmission checked every 25,000 miles. It should also be inspected for metal shavings and the filter should be checked.
- Check the brakes every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Maples said that the majority of new cars today have what is known as a squeaker tab. This is a device that squeaks when the brakes get low and rub against the rotor. When the squeaker tab starts to squeak, it is a signal to the owner to have the brakes checked.
- Check tire pressure frequently.
Maples recommends checking every time
- Maples said that if possible, the car should be parked in the same place every night so that the owner can check for leaks. If there is a pool of liquid on the ground where the car was parked, then there might be a problem. He said that the colors that signal trouble are red, green and black. If those colors appear, then the car should be serviced as soon as possible.
the car is filled with gas. Checking the tire pressure is important in areas like Kansas where the weather fluctuates. When it is not outside, the tire pressure expands and when it is cold, there is generally not enough pressure. An improperly inflated tire can decrease car performance and the lifespan of the tire.
*Have the tires rotated 5,000 miles. Bryn Wiley, an employee at D and D Tire, Inc., 1000 Vermont, said that the tires should be rotated and the alignment checked to make sure the tires were wearing correctly.
Just as the car engine needs more than gasoline to keep it running smoothly, the exterior of the car needs more than an occasional wash to keep it looking god.
Jerry Landers, owner of Lawrence Auto Cleaning, 544 Main St., said that the average car owner does not take proper care of the exterior of his car.
"The most that many people will do is to wash it and vacuum out the inside," he said.
An important step in exterior car maintenance is waxing the car, Landers said. Wax is used for more than just cosmetic purposes; it provides good protection against sun-fading and rust problems. Landers recommends waxing
a car twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall to protect the car against the harsh weather of winter and summer.
He also suggests that owners have their cars professionally cleaned and buffed once a year. Buffing removes old layers of wax that build up on the car and cause it to look dull.
Spring Maintenance Checklist
Auto maintenance is important all year long, but the change in seasons is a good reminder to have the car checked out. So, with summer just around the corner, here are some tips on how to get your car ready for the heat:
- Have the cooling system
- checked.
- Check the belts and hoses.
• Check the antifreeze.
• Check the tire pressure.
• Have the air conditioner checked so that the unit does not freeze up.
Probe's good looks will fool you
By Amy Heidersbach
If you think that sporty lies somewhere between Allen Field House and Memorial Stadium, change your thinking to Ford's Probe GT. Now that's sporty!
This is the car that will turn every head in town on the way out to Clinton Lake. The Probe personifies drama with its distinctive aero-look design and sharp 2-door hatchback style. But don't let it good looks fool you! The Probe is as well thought out on the inside as it is on the outside.
For the self-expressive KU student, the Probe's EPA estimated gas mileage of 21 city and 27 highway establishes an equilibrium between impulsive and
practicality. Five-speed manual transmission enables any student to take control of the 2.2-liter turbocharged engine and the 145 horsepower it yields. An automatic adjusting suspension has three modes: soft, normal, and sport — that adapt to handle any driving condition Jayhawk country conjures up.
Luxuries such as bucket seats, tinted glass, dual remote control mirrors, and a four-speaker AM/FM stereo, make the Probe an obvious choice for the student who isn't afraid to start a trend. This sporty car designed with the student in mind can be found at Laird Noller in Lawrence
T-Bird carries sophistication
By Judy Giacoma
"Far across the golden valley. Gloorious to view..."
It's Motor Trend's 1989 Car of the Year, the Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe. For the ambitious KU Student in the midst of job hunting, it's a stunner in every way — style, engineering, comfort, and emotional impact. This all-new T-Bird incorporates dependability with a look of sophistication and class.
Its personality is defined by a lower, wider, and more aggressive look The supercharger, with its 8-3 lier V6 engine, boosts power across the engine's entire rpm band. There is no throttle lag and response is instantaneous. It's perfect for
the KU student on-the-go.
The look and feel inside the T-Bird SC is subdued luxury. All the comfort and convenience is there. For those impulsive, last minute road trips this car will comfortably accommodate four of your friends. You'll go far with its EPA estimated fuel economy of 16 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the highway, items like articulated bucket seats with power adjustments for lumbar and side supports say this car is for people who take their driving seriously. Purchase the perfect car, the Thunderbird Super Coupe at Laired Noller Ford, 23rd & Alabama, Lawrence.
KANSAN 1989' KU Car Picks/March 22, 1989 3