The Mail-Journal, Volume 16, Number 13, Milford, Kosciusko County, 18 April 1979 — Page 27

Do-it-yourself gassers should have maintenance know-how too

“The Lord helps him who helps himself.” If the above seems to be the motto of a greater number of gasoline retailing outlets, then the facts of life are becoming more apparent. There is a growing trend toward sfelf-serv-ice gas stations where the—customer pumps his own. Expensive fuel is a little cheaper to buy under the system. But the car owner who has counted on attendants to do simple maintenance jobs is out of luck. Car owners who habitually buy gas at self-serve outlets should make sure they know how to check vital “life signs” of their cars. Then they should check at least weekly. Doing this requires a little knowledge of where to look and what to look for. If in doubt, such information is contained in the car’s Owner’s Manual. For example, the proper

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level of oil in the crankcase is indispensable to proper engine operation. You should know where the dipstick is located in your engine. Then know how to “read” the stick to determine whether your car has sufficient and clean oil. What about the battery? Is the water level high enough to make sure it operates properly? Are the terminals clean and the cables sound? Check to make sure all radiator hoses are intact and that fan belts and other pulleys are not worn or frayed. Learn where to check on brake and other fluid levels. HOT NEWS ON BRAKES In an average day’s driving — and stopping — your car’s brakes build up enough energy to heat your home. Can your brakes stand up to this kind of torture? Have them checked frequently.

Omega offered by Olds

The 1980 Oldsmobile Omega is being introduced in area showrooms this week end. It’s call the small car that grew up. It’s revolutionary. It’s new from the pavement up. Omega is a small car with Oldsmobile looks, room and comfort. It’s different. It has room for five. Wasted space was engineered out, efficient space in. The engine was turned sideways and moved forward. The driver’s seat has one of the longest adjustment ranges of any domestic car of any size. There’s also more headroom, legroom and knee clearance in the back than there was in last year’s Omega. The trunk space is wide. Flat. It has 14.3 cubic feet of space. And, there is no spare tire to get in the way. The tire is tucked neatly under the trunk floor in a compartment of its own. Front-wheel drive puts the weight of the engine over the wheels that both power and steer the car. It helps to give the car

traction. It tracks along snowy streets and on rain-slick highways. Omega behaves like a bigger, heavier car than it is. The engine feels big. It is a standard L 4, available with automatic transmission, and is quicker in 0-50 acceleration than last year’s comparable model with a V 6. It’s also economical with an EPA of 24 mpg and highway EPA of 38 mpg. Small cars aren’t generally known for their quiet ride. This one is! Sophisticated aerodynamic testing in early design stages helped streamline the body for substantially reduced wind resistance compared to last year. Advanced acoustic technology also gave Omega new insulation materials and methods of installation. The body and virtually every chassis component are insulated, one from another, to reduce metal-to-metal contact, vibration and noise. The MacPherson strut suspension was fine-tuned to

produce a smooth and comfortableride. There’s never been an Olds built with this high a proportion of galvanized metals. Special zinc-rich primers, sealers and waxes protect panels, seams and -joints that get exposed to moisture. And, special plastisol coatings on lower body areas even help protect against stone damage that can lead to rust. This isn’t just another small car. It’s an Oldsmobile with the kind of room, comfort and value people want in a small car but didn t think they could find. ’Die car sits big and drives big. It features marker lights and rtf lectors; parking lamps that illuminate with headlamps; fourway hazard warning flashers; backup lights; lane-change feature in direction signal control; windshield defrosters, washer and dual-speed wipers; wide-view inside mirror (vinyl edged, shatter-resistant glass and deflecting support); outside rearview mirror; dual master cylinder brake system with warning light; starter safety switch; and dual-action safety hood latches. Brougham The Omega Brougham is what other small cars might like to be when they grow up. When all the designing, testing and innovating was over, Oldsmobile had just upgraded the small car idea. The results: The Omega Brougham. It has the kind of room, seating comfort and luxury you might expect in a bigger car. The list of extras is long. Tilt steering wheel, cruise control, a Delco 40-channel CB and the new GM continuous protection plan are available. SX Some small cars put up a good front. Omega SX backs it up. The SX comes with automatic transmission or standard L 4 engine that out-accelerates last year’s V 6, 0-50; the new available V 6 out-steps last year’s 5.0-1 VB. It’s a treat to drive with quick rack-and-pinion steering, frontwheel drive traction and MacPherson strut suspension. For a special look it has reardeck spoiler, dual sport mirrors, sassy stripes, blacked-out moldings and more. Plug misfire can kill ‘cat’ Misfiring spark plugs have long been known to cause fuel waste and excessive emissions. They can now contribute to another problem— a nonfunctioning catalytic converter. When plugs misfire, whether due to fouling, ignition system malfunction, or being just plain worn out, heat in the catalytic converters rises. The converters, designed to change unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide into harmless carbon dioxide and water, normally operate at 900 to 1,500° F. (488 to 816 C>. However, should spark plugs misfire severely, the teinperature can be raised as high as 2,200° F„ (1,200 C), enough to melt the catalytic agents in the converter and render the unit ineffective. Therefore, spark plugs should be changed as part of. a regularly scheduled tifne-up. € THAT’S OIL, FOLKS! Most cars built today are equipped with an oil filter. That’s one reason engines can go for longer periods between oil changes. But when the filter gets clogged, dirt and sludge get into the engine and could spell trouble. So change the oil and the filter at recommended interval.