The Mail-Journal, Volume 9, Number 39, Milford, Kosciusko County, 25 October 1972 — Page 18

Put Yourself Back In The Driver's Seat Make Motoring A Pleasure Once More With Car Care And Safe Driving Habits If you drive a car, you have more than the steering wheel in your hands. As a motorist, your actions or lack of action can help determine the state of the motoring world in which you drive. And in doing so, you can make owning and operating a car a happier proposition.’ In the simpler world a generation or so removed, car ownership was a relatively uncomplicated matter. Laws governing the automobile mainly dealt with its safe operation and licensing. It is almost superfluous to note that things have certainly changed. Today, hardly a week passes that some legislative body is not weighing the passage of a new restriction on car ownership or car manufacturing. It’s practically a full-time activity keeping up with new developments. Reasons for this/fixation on the car are not difficult -"to fathom. Traffic fatalities and injuries continue to remain at the same dismally high levels. Damage to the environment, resulting from vehicle emissions remains a serious problem. While the auto makers have made and are continuing to make dramatic strides in solving these problems, the man and women behind the wheel have demonstrated little interest in carrying their share of the burden. If this were not so, why do half of the cars undergoing simple vehicle safety checks fail in at least one critical component? If this were not so, why do three out of every five cars require simple engine maintenance that could reduce harmful emissions by a startlingly high percentage? This lack of maintenance on the part of the car owner could almost be understood, if it were merely a matter of civic pride or good neighborliness. It is obvious that self preservation ranks head and shoulders above concern for one’s fellow man. But caring for one’s car pays handsome dividends in helping oneself. Perhaps the concern for one’s family’s safety is not that tangible an idea. It’s comforting to believe “It can’t happen to us.” The non-use of seat belts is but one example of this apparent lack of concern. On a dollar and cents basis, car care does pay tangible dividends. That low-emission tune-up will do more than help clean up the air. It will also save on gasoline consumption and on time and money expended when the car won’t start. Simple, low-cost procedures such as changing oil and filter and lubrication on a regular basis can forestall costly engine and drive train repairs. Cooling system attention can prevent mishaps that in some cases would ruin an engine completely. Attention to the cleanliness and soundness of the car’s body actually can mean several hundred dollars more at trade-in time. But perhaps if each of us were to care for our cars and drive them safely another bonus could befall us. Taking the automobile out of the problem area takes it out of the legislative arena. The long list of “thou musts” and “thou shall nots” could even dwindle to a mind-easing level. Who knows, a lot of the pleasure of owning and operating an automobile might reappear. Take the first step by bringing your car into your favorite service outlet for a thorough check-up.

“You Name The Job... We’ll Furnish The Tools” Hours: 7 a.m. ’til 5:30p.m. — Monday thru Saturday TRAILERS • All Types TRUCKS - All Types TOOLS - All Types "ML Woodie's Rental 1900 E. WINONA AVE DIAL 267-7976

* <iß * i ~-JTiu H ■ «__— «p-j|—g

THAT OUGHT TO FIX LT — A minor adjustment on the steering mechanism finishes off the job of pre-winter maintenance on this youngster's car. His dad’s vehicle is on the nearby rack, getting ready for the months of rough driving conditions ahead. Now's the time to get your car in shape, too, for care-free winter motoring.

am/** VOAN CENTER FOR Autos, Boots, Lake Homes And Mobile Homes • No Service Charge On Checking Accounts To All Senior Citizens Or Anyone Holding A *IOO Minimum Balance IRralni E • Free Checks To All ihrrrratimi R Personally Imprinted E "While You Wait!" A T ■ d Counting House Hank N “(The Soyal (Treasury” North Webster, Indiana