The Mail-Journal, Volume 14, Number 15, Milford, Kosciusko County, 4 May 1977 — Page 24

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One way to check on the health of your car's Battery is to have ait automotive technician perform a hydrometer check on it. A hard winter’s driving may* have drained power, making your car -u-ceptiblc to battery failure on your vacation trip.

Check battery’s health after winter ravages

Os all car components, the ravages of winter weather take their heaviest toll on the battery Whil° th“ battery Is in no position to take a vacation during balmy spring and summer months, it should be given special treatment so that it might live to serve another winter. Battery manufacturers give the following advice on determining how much life is left in your battery 1. With the engine off and the ignition -witch in the accessory position, prey- the turn -ignal lever. If the click you hear i» -lower than when the engine i- operating, it’s a sign your battery is below normal power. Dimming of light- also indicates problems. 2. (orrosiiMi around the

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ra-e and terminal may indicate • po—ible battertrouble. 3. W ater being required too frequently or one cell needing more water than the others may also be warning -ignais. Original equipment batteries can be expected to last about 36 months or 36.000 miles of ordinary driving Beyond that period. the battery may be living on borrowed time. The most reliable method of determining a battery’s condition is to give it a hydrometer test. The hydrometer reveals the concentration of sulphuric acid which affects the state of charge in each battery cell. A fully charged battery will give a hydrometer

reading of 1260 or higher specific gravity. A reading of 1210 or lower indicates the battery needs recharging. A reading which indicates a greater variance of more than 50 degrees between cells means a new battery is needed. Give it air Keeping a car’s air conditioner off in winter and during other times it’s not needed may seem like just plain common sense. But an air conditioner should be run for a fewminutes a month all year long. Doing so helps preserve the compressor which needs the “lubrication" from the freon gas r coolant. It’s easy to check hoses Most hose problems can be spotted just by looking The most obvious problem is leaking, either at the hose connections or from the hose itself. However, it is best to check each hose by squeezing it to determine if it has hardened due to aging or if it is oil- or grease-softened. Hoses should be firm but not brittle. Spongy hoses also mean trouble. Here’s what to look for: 1. Cracks or breaks <-au-«- leak- that cannot be -topped by tightening clamp*. If crack- go down into ho-e reinforcing cord-, replace ‘the ho-e. 2. A hardened ho-e i--tiff and will transmit engine vibration Io the radiator inlet and outlet tubewhich can cau-e them to break away from the radiator. 3. A -welling or spongy hose indicates that the ho-c ha- been softened by oil or grease. 4. Hidden failure —

hose may look good from the outside but it may be deteriorated on the inside causing small hose particles to flake off. These particles can clog radiator tubes and reduce the radiator's ability to cool the coolant. 5. Worn clamps — replace all clamps that cannot be lightened. When replacing coolant hoses always replace clamps.

Well Give Your Car A Real Lift... BEAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND BALANCING BATTERIES Complete Brake Service WE SPECIALIZE IN AUTO ELECTRICAL SERVICE — Starters — Alternators — Generators — Tune-Up ix Plugs fX Points g <x Ignition & We Use Champion Spark Plugs RUCH . SERVICE ft Mobil Products Rd. 15 North —Milford

TRAFFIC LIGHTS Remember that most traffic light systems in cities are timed to a specific speed as a means of keeping the traffic flowing at efficient speeds and to safeguard crossings. By observing the proper speed limit as set by the lights, you can avoid sudden stops and thus save gasoline in the bargain. There is no point in trying to beat them.