The Mail-Journal, Volume 12, Number 11, Milford, Kosciusko County, 9 April 1975 — Page 26

Exhibiting beat-up car focuses attention on need for service

Late last summer, a young Port Huron. Michigan. woman hit it lucky twice. Her first bit of fortune was finding a buyer for the 1966 model car she was selling Her second stroke of luck was being alive An official of the Car Care Council (CCCt hap|x*ned to be looking for a car just like the one Susie Smith ’not her real name' was driving The CCC was seeking out a vehicle currently being driven, yet in such poor condition that it vgas a menace to the driver and other people on the road After purchasing the “accident going someplace to happen.” the Council dubbed the vehicle "Calamity Jane.” and used it to inaugurate a nationwide motorists education program

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Among the dangerous conditions plaguing the car were defective brakes, bald tires, misaligned wheels, bad shocks, faulty steering — any one of which could have helped cause a fatal accident. The car’s exhaust system was rotted away, a condition made even more hazardous by the fact that body and undercarriage rust provided a tailormade conduit for lethal carbon monoxide fumes. The water pump was loose and leaking, headlights misaligned and the ignition system so badly neglected that starting the car was a major task. A CCC spokesman remarked, “Jane was emitting so much pollution that the analyzing device couldn’t even record the amount. Emissions knocked the needle clear off the

Help is offered in setting up local program Are you interested in helping launch a Calamity Jane-type program in your community? If so, you can get details on how to proceed by contacting the Car Care Council, 17000 Executive Plaza, Dearborn. Mich. 48126.

dial.” The Council used Calamity Jane, with roof painted a luminous red for DANGER. as a center piece for Car Care Week in Port Huron. The car was towed (not driven! to various locations to show students and other groups how neglected a car can be

'-WeWwi ( t Despite liMvinx been irenerxlly neglected, “Calamity Jane” had been cruising Port Huron street*. The Car Care Council used it to show folks how maintenance can mean the difference between safe driving and traffic accidents. Here driver training students crowd around to get the detailed message close up.

and still be allowed on the highway. “Jane” also was the center of attention in an Emissions Check Lane program sponsored by the local Jaycees CCC reports that the week helped build interest

in car care in the Michigan community. It also accomplished another aim. One local observer put it this way, “It makes me shudder to think that a car like that was operating on our streets only a few months ago. And I bet there are a lot more like that one. When the (bleep) are we going to get compulsory vehicle inspection in this state?” Michigan is one of 19 states that does not have a compulsory inspection law. PLUG THAT ‘LEAK’ In economy tests, a spark plug misfiring half the time at 60 miles per hour dropped fuel economy by 7.3 per cent, according to the Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association. KNOW YOUR DIP STICK Do you know where the engine oil dip stick is located? Checking on oil levels is important to longer engine life. The dip stick will tell you when and how much oil needs to be added. Sometimes it will indicate oil should be changed. (Evidence of foreign matter or unusual thickness of the oil are possible clues.) ALIGNMENT SAVES FUEL. RUBBER Tests reported on by the Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association showed that improper front wheel toe-in alignment of only can cause about a 0.3 miles per gallon economy loss. It can also lead to premature and expensive tire wear.

MR. SCRUB deans cars BETTER for LESS wash JACK'S SUNOCO •16 S. Huntington St. SyrMUM