Car Care

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

| A33

north shore news nsnews.com

INSIDE: !

Chasing a NASCAR dream

!

Autonomous parts already here

!

Books look at logos, repairs

A special feature of the

PHOTO THINKSTOCK

THREE TIME WINNER OF THE AUTOCHEX PREMIER ACHIEVER AWARD FOR EXTRAORDINARY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

GOVERNMENT LICENSED INSPECTION STATION S-2584

Service Ltd. Since 1959

COLLISION REPAIR & AUTO SERVICE CENTRE C All Collision Insurance Company’s Lifetime Guaranteed Repairs ■ New Car Warranty Approved Services 174-176 Pemberton Ave. ■

604.985.7455

w w w. t a y l o r m o t i v e . c o m

E K A M L L A p o t S e n O YOUR

CELEBRATING 57 YEARS OF QUALITY WORKMANSHIP & TRUSTWORTHY SERVICE

A34 |

nsnews.com north shore news

WIN A TRIP TO KELOWNA!

MARCH 23-27, 2016 VANCOUVER CONVENTION CENTRE

Enter for your chance to win a 3 night stay at Hotel Eldorado Kelowna. Arrive in style driving a 2016 Mustang GT Convertible courtesy of Brown Bros.

Visit vancouvercourier.com/contest to enter

spring maintenance

ROSALIND DUANE rduane@nsnews.com

When Dylan King arrived in South Carolina in October of last year, he was expecting to get a chance to show off his driving skills and potentially win a spot on the Level 1 Motorsports racing team.

Dylan King (second from right) stands with team members and a test car at Rockingham Motor Speedway. PHOTO SUPPLIED and other features were all the same as cars used in NASCAR. This time, King headed to North Carolina and drove for two 20-minute lap intervals as part of an evaluation. He received notes from the crew chief then hit the track again for 20 more laps.

“It was absolutely incredible,” says King of driving the souped-up stock car.

He admits the first 20 laps

COLLISION & RUST REPAIR

WE CARE ABOUT YOUR SAFETY ON THE ROAD 999 West 1st Street • North Vancouver Ph: 604.924.5330 Email: johnnysauto@telus.net AUTOMOTIVE

NV driver going the distance

But when the driver just before him hit a wall at 120 miles an hour, essentially destroying the test car, King missed his opportunity.

After spending just over $1,000 on various fees to get there, the Motorsports team asked if he wanted a refund, but he said no. Although he was heading back to B.C., he knew he would return.

In January, King got word that the team had another test car ready to go. It was a NASCAR cup series car that ran at the Daytona 500.

The engine was changed to suit a shorter track (it was de-tuned by about 200-300 horsepower), but the suspension, drive train, chassis

every bunny needs

LICENSED TECHNICIAN • GOVERNMENT APPROVED INSPECTION FACILITY

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

were nerve-wracking because he had never driven a car with that much horsepower and “hitting 14-degree bank walls at 120 miles an hour it was a lot to handle.”

After his test, King returned home and waited two long weeks to get the news that he had been signed to the team.

“It was extremely exciting and just to know that someone is finally going to give

you a chance to chase that dream,” says King of receiving the news.

That dream is to be a NASCAR driver. The American race series is the biggest of its kind in the world, and it’s a long shot for any driver to get to the famous oval, especially so for a 27-year-old who grew up in North Vancouver and now lives in Sechelt.

But King now has his foot in the door and it all started with a call-out he spotted on a buy-sell type of website for cars. The ad called for applications to the driver development program for Level 1 Motorsports; the team was looking for new development drivers for their program. King emailed his response but didn’t hear back for four months. When he finally got the call to head to South Carolina for an evaluation, it was the culmination of many years of work.

Always a fan of cars and NASCAR in particular, King

See Dream page 36

Beautiful British Columbia

1525 Welch Street, N. Vancouver T/F 604-983-2118

Fine European Crafsmanship Edward Staron

edwardstaron@shawbiz.ca

YOUR JAPANESE CAR SPECIALIST

COMPLETE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIRS & SERVICE

FOR TOYOTA, HONDA & ALL OTHER MAKES Courtesy Car Available

604.984.4566

65 MAHON, NORTH VANCOUVER (2 BLOCKS WEST OF SEA BUS) WWW.CITYAUTONV.COM

Wetmore Motors Experience Matters

Silk Cat

est. 1990

AUTOMOTIVE SPECIALIST S LTD. Quality Service For All Makes

Providing The Same Great Service Since 1946

SERVICING ALL MAKES AND MODELS

Specializing in VW and Audi

Range Rover

Mini Cooper

Jaguar

Wee are no longer in the business of selling vehic vehicles, but continue to provide outstanding auto service as we always have, at a reasonable price.

• Complete Auto Electrical & Mechanical Repairs & Service • Government Certified Technicians Equipped With The Latest In Diagnostic Equipment

Open: Monday thru Friday 8:30 am to 5:30 pm

604.987.8228 or 604.984.7889

Wetmore Motors (2003) Ltd.

1397 Welch Street, North Vancouver

604.985.0168

w w w. s i l k c a t . c a

1053 Churchill Cres., North Vancouver (Behind Indigo Books)

JAGUAR • RANGE ROVER • MINI COOPER • MERCEDES BENZ • BMW • AUDI • VOLVO

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

| A35

north shore news nsnews.com

Automated features offer safety, convenience BRENDAN MCALEER Contributing writer

There are a lot of questions being asked about the autonomous car these days, though most of them seem to have skewed to the “when?” rather than the “how?”

The fact is, almost all the technology is in existence already, out there in the real world getting results.

Autonomous racecars are lapping tracks just as fast as human drivers. Google’s autonomous Lexuses are racking up the miles almost entirely without incident. The self-driving car is almost here.

Except that it’s not. Not quite yet anyway. While Google and others seem to be right on the cusp of providing us with a car that does all the driving itself, there’s a considerable legal quagmire to be navigated. It’s not the logistics, it’s the litigation; people love to sue over accidents, and when there’s the deep, deep pockets of a car company in the crosshairs, you can practically see the prosecutors salivating. None of the automakers want to be first to make a misstep, so in the meantime they’re rolling out their technology comprehensively, but cautiously.

That strategy means a whole raft of semi-autonomous driving features that are already in showrooms, available right down to entry-level compact cars. Think the only way you can get into a machine that’ll at least help you keep one electronic eye on the road is by shelling out for a heavily optioned Tesla?

Guess again, this is the sort of stuff you can get on a Honda.

However, that means a whole host of new terms and technologies for customers to familiarize themselves with. It’s not just transmission types and airbag counts anymore, today’s car shopper needs to be up on their semi-autonomous driving features. Here’s a quick guide as to what to look for if you’re in the market.

Automatic cruise control One of the earliest semi-autonomous features,

Technology is already in existence that allows for certain autonomous features in cars. PHOTO SUPPLIED speed-matching cruise control grew almost as a byproduct of the auto industry trying to make a car that would stop automatically. The concept is simple: using a forward-looking radar

Beautiful British Columbia

or laser to judge distance, automated cruise control adjusts your speed to match the car in front.

Usually, the driver sets the desired speed, and the car then slows down when it detects traffic ahead. Once the traffic clears (for instance, a slow-moving vehicle pulling into the slow lane) the car then accelerates until it reaches the driverset speed again. On long road trips, this can be a real boon, keeping you from constantly fiddling with the cruise control.

However, not all systems are created equal. Perhaps the best and smoothest in operation is that found in Mercedes equipped with their driver assistance packages. Here, there’s a combination of laser and radar used, and the programming actually looks underneath the car you’re following to see if the car ahead is slowing. This helps the system anticipate traffic flow and takes the jerkiness out of its operation, just the way a good chauffeur would.

Automated emergency braking Hyundai showed off their available auto-braking technology with a big budget Super Bowl spot featuring two women driving through a town filled with dopplegangers of Vancouver native Ryan Reynolds. Understandably distracted, the two

See Lane page 37

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE Serving the North Shore since 1964

•BRAKES •TIRES •GENERAL MECHANICAL 235 Pemberton Avenue, North Vancouver

604-984-4334

50 years ago...

Elite Body Shop opened, and...

a stamp was 5¢

Help us reach our goal!

Kirmac Cares for Kids has raised over $1,000,000 for BCCHF. For 2016, Kirmac has set a goal of $500,000 dollars.

Kirmac is proud to support BC Children’s Hospital Foundation by donating a percentage of earned income from every repair to help the kids.

183 Pemberton Avenue, North Vancouver 604.998.2650 www.kirmac.com | northvan@kirmac.com Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:30pm

142 Fell Avenue, North Vancouver 604-987-4408 | elitebodyshop.ca

A36 |

nsnews.com north shore news

1600 Marine drive, North Van Call us at (604) 980-8501

Dream within reach

LoVE Your our

ride

From page 34

OR

THAT’S LIKE PAYING

AS LITTLE AS

$

64

STARTING FROM

/WEEK

9

$

/DAY

2016 dodge dart SE

19,998

$ $

55

/WEEK

THAT’S LIKE PAYING

8

$

/DAY

2016 Jeep Cherokee Sport

PURCHASE FOR

26,998

$

OR

AS LITTLE AS

71

$

/ WEEK

THAT’S LIKE PAYING

11

$

/DAY

Payments for the vehicles listed above include freight/PDI. Exclude GST/PST with $0 down, based on 96 months amortization at 3.49% OAC. All factory incentives to dealer.

CALL (604) 980-8501 TO BOOK A TEST DRIVE!

destination chrysler jeep dodge ram www.destinationchrysler.ca 1600 Marine drive, North Vancouver phone # (604) 980-8501

ALL Apply

dealer #7686

possible to break the many barriers to get in to the sport.

So when he saw the online ad for development drivers he jumped at the opportunity. The plan now is for King to race for Level 1

Beautiful British Columbia

OR

AS LITTLE AS

Dylan King was recently signed to Level 1 Motorsports and will be competing in a stock car race series. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Credit Applications Accepted!

For Fina ncing & Get Appro ved!

Motorsports in the upcoming May-to-October season of the LMSU (Late Model Stock Car) series. The hard part now is to find sponsors, which he is actively looking for, but if all goes well, King hopes to continue racing in the LMSU series, then advance to the next level (ARCA), then on to NASCAR. There’s a lot that has to go right for him to get there, and a lot that can go wrong, but King is excited to at least be taking the first step.

“NASCAR before used to be a dream and now it’s physically within reach. It just all depends on how I do now.”

MITSUBISHI & SUZUKI SERVICE CENTRE

SUZUKI MOTORS

INSPECTION & TIRE ROTATION TIO • Change engine oil, install a new Mitsubishi/Suzuki Genuine oil filter and report • Check all fluid levels & report: a) Transmission fluid b) Differential fluid c) Transfer assembly fluid d) Clutch fluid e) Brake fluid f) Engine coolant g) Windshield washer fluid • Check and inspect air filter and report

68 95

$

*

• Lubricate all locks, latches and hinges and verify proper operation • Check and adjust tire pressure • Check the operation of all lights and horn and report Synt • Rotate tires h Upg etic rade • Inspect front brake $ 39 pads and report

May not be combined with any other offer. *Mitsubishi/Suzuki vehicles only. Plus taxes and levies. Expires Apr. 30, 2016.

WWW.NORTHVANMITSUBISHI.COM YOUR ONLY AUTHORIZED MITSUBISHI & SUZUKI SERVICE DEALER ON THE NORTH SHORE

NORTH VANCOUVER MITSUBISHI

604-983-2088

1695 Marine Dr, North Vancouver

Marine Dr. NV MITSUBISHI

Bowser Ave

22,998

$

Tatlow Ave

STARTING FROM

seems to have come by his passion naturally. His grandfather was a popular local mechanic who owned a service station in Edgemont Village. Although he died when King was just a kid, he passed on his love of the sport of racing, which King started taking seriously by the time he was 17 and built his own car and started racing at a small track in Sechelt.

That led him to Las Vegas where he got a licence for NHRA drag racing.

“I did have the intention to go really big with drag racing,” he notes.

But eventually the appeal of the long-nose dragsters wore off. The races were too fast. At speeds of about 190 miles per hour, they were over in just seven seconds.

King re-evaluated what he wanted out of racing and took another look at stock cars.

“I’ve always been a fan of NASCAR since I was a kid,” he says, but didn’t think it was

Garden Ave

Sale

2016 dodge Grand Caravan

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

| A37

north shore news nsnews.com

es brak

Lane assist keeps drivers on track

From page 35

ladies rubbernecked their way into nearly running over a Reynolds-clone at a crosswalk. Happily, the car was paying attention and slammed on the brakes.

If you’re regularly a pedestrian (and all of us have to get out of our cars at some point), this is probably the most important safety development for the car next to the three-point seatbelt.

Vehicle-pedestrian collisions are on the rise, perhaps due to both distracted drivers and pedestrians alike, and when the two come together, the results are usually disastrous.

However, multiple carmakers now offer a camera or radarbased system that can detect pedestrians ahead and take action when the driver does not. Right now, because of costconscious customers, automatic emergency braking is usually bundled with other technology features, like navigation or a higher-end stereo. But just as the backup camera is becoming a mandated feature, we could see pedestrian detection becoming a standard feature on at least mid-grade models.

Lane keeping assist Several manufacturers offer lane-departure warning systems that buzz the seat or beep when you wander over the yellow line. At the very least, these re-direct the driver’s attention back where it should be: on the road. At the worst, they embarrass you in front of your passengers (and rightly so).

Lane-keeping assist is a little different. With Honda, for instance, the car will actually detect the lane markings and hold position in between them, navigating through corners at speed. Like most manufacturers, you can only take your hands off the wheel briefly, as the car will demand steering input after just a few seconds.

And even with more advanced systems, there can be glitches. If sand or leaves are obscuring a lane marking, the system might not read it. Sometimes paint can get too faded for a camera, where a human driver might pick up on it.

However, this technology, combined with the abilities of matching speed to traffic ahead and performing an emergency panic stop if needed show just how close we are to the

Are your brakes making noise or vibrations?

What?

BRAKE SPECIAL Come in for NEW BRAKES and get a FREE Oil & FILTER CHANGE at the same time!

PHOTO SHUTTERSTOCK

fully automated car becoming a reality. For the foreseeable future, you’re going to have to driver yourself (or call a cab).

However, in many ways, the self-driving car is already here.

Purchase new brakes and receive an Oil & Filter Change Plus a FREE Courtesy Inspection.

Savings of $146.87 Includes: • New filter (Cartridge Filter extra).

• Up to 5 litres of 5W30 non synthetic motor oil • Washer Fluid Refill and other Top Ups. • Lube where possible..

Must present the ad.

604-988-2239

Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and automotive enthusiast. His column appears Fridays in the North Shore News auto section called Today’s Drive. mcaleer.nsnews@gmail.com

Beautiful British Columbia

110 Fell Avenue North Vancouver service@derosaauto.ca www.derosaauto.ca

TOP THREE

No

visio o n?

COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE Quality Collision Repair and Paint Since 1975

“Your car has changed and so has the equipment and training needed to repair it safely after a collision.”

“When your vehicle is repaired at Coache Collision, you can be assured that licensed trained technicians and the latest equipment are being used to get it back to pre accident condition.

Our new CAR-O-TRONIC measuring system gives us precise vehicle analysis with real time measurements during the repair process.”

COACHE COLLISION. PROVIDING QUALITY REPAIRS FOR THE LAST 40 YEARS. We are an ICBC Valet Express Shop • We work with all insurance companies to handle your claim promptly.

Come to us directly with your claim number and we will start the process.

Courtesy Cars • Lifetime Warranty

604.987.2211 • 1172 West 3rd Street (at Pemberton) North Vancouver Or Visit our website coachecollision.ca and start your process online to save time!

A38 |

nsnews.com north shore news

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

JUMP THE Q AND GET EXCLUSIVE PRICING

2016 QX80 77,365 Up to 8 seats in a refined, sophisticated interior.

Starting From

$

2016 QX60

Au

to

7-passenger luxury SUV

Starting From

$

50,115

*

1,2 $

Up To WITH

$

1,000

**

sh

ow

Ca

sh

In

50

ce

nt

ive

†

*

Up To WITH

$

Autoshow Cash Incentive

5,000

** PLUS $

1,250

1,2 $

2016 Q50

Au

Luxury sports sedan

Starting From

$

†

42,615

*

to

sh

ow

Ca

sh

In

50

ce

nt

ive

Up To WITH

$

1,000

**

Call 604.985.984.1877 to book a test drive.

Offers expire March 31, don't delay call today!

819 Automall Drive, North Vancouver, BC V7P 3R8 Tel: 604.984.1877 | infinitinorthvancouver.ca *Based on a new 2016 QX80(9CRG75 AA00) // 2016 QX60(J6XG16 AA00) // 2016 Q50(Q4XF76 AA00). Starting price of $77,365 // $50,115 // $42,615 includes MSRP of $74,650 // $47,400 // $39,900, Freight and PDI($1,995), Documentation fee ($595), Air Conditioning Charge ($100) and EHF (tires) ($25). Applicable taxes, license, insurance and registration are extra. †$1,250 AutoShow Cash Incentive is a stackable offer and is available only on select new in-stock 2016 and 2015 models that are purchased, registered and delivered from an authorized British Columbia INFINITI retailer by April 10th 2016. The $1,250 Cash Incentive consists of a $500 retailer contribution and a $750 Stackable Cash Discount. **$5000 off on the QX80 consists of $4000 non- Stackable Cash Discount available on cash purchase only and $1000 retailer contribution. $1000 on the 2016 QX60 // 2016 Q50 is a Stackable Cash Discount available on cash purchase, lease or finance. Retailer order/trade may be necessary. Offers are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Certain conditions may apply. Vehicle and wheels may not be exactly as shown. Valid until March 31, 2016. For complete details please visit Infiniti North Vancouver or www.infinitinorthvancouver.ca.

†

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

| A39

north shore news nsnews.com

Books look at repairs, logos TERRY PETERS Contributing writer

are all found alongside the interesting history of each of the featured models.

Car Emblems, by Giles Chapman, Chartwell Books, 320 pages, $17 Car manufacturers count on the instant recognition provided by distinctive branding for their vehicles.

The blue and white BMW crest speaks to a level of luxury, while the rearing black horse on the yellow background of the Ferrari logo is the symbol for power and performance. These emblems speak volumes about the cars they appear on and all have a unique history.

Author Giles Chapman tells the stories behind the adornment of 125 brands in his book Car Emblems. With more than 1,000 illustrations, the various versions are presented along with the marquee models that brought each carmaker to the forefront of the public’s attention.

The Viking ship has appeared on Rovers since 1929, while various forms of lions have graced the front of Peugeots going all the way back to 1905. Brand names, animal figures, and logos

Receive a

FREE

experience, author Dennis W. Parks provides the information necessary to take on both small and large repair projects. Starting with the necessary tools and materials required, Parks discusses the correct repair strategy before going into the nuts and bolts of stripping the car.

Step-by-step instructions guide readers through a wide range of repairs from dented side doors to replacing quarter panels. Along with the detailed descriptions there are many colour photographs to illustrate the repairs.

Filled with solid practical advice, there are plenty of valuable tips that will make the repair go smoother and the final outcome that much closer to original condition.

The Complete Guide to Auto Body Repairs,

by Dennis W. Parks, Motorbooks, 206 pages, $36 It doesn’t matter whether you are incredibly cautious or have been just plain lucky, sooner or later you are going to have some damage done to your vehicle. If you are willing to put in some time to acquire the skills outlined in this book you will be able to do your own auto body repairs. Taking on a restoration project knowing the correct techniques and using the appropriate tools and materials will be key to the final outcome for the do-it-yourselfer or the car enthusiast.

Sharing his many years of

IMPEX AUTO

Complete Automotive Repairs

Service of All Makes & Models Specializing in service of all Jeep & Chrysler models.

Specializing in Jeep & Chrysler MANUFACTURERS SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE SERVICES

1166A West 14th Street • 604-985-6237 (off Pemberton Ave., entrance at rear)

DELUXE CLEAN

With the purchase of any 2 major services:

• BTakR job • DRS-Cool coolant systRm sRTvPcR • TTansmPssPon sRTvPcR • A/C sRTvPcR • 4-whRRl alPgnmRnt • ThR VuTchasR oQ 4 tPTRs • SVaTk Vlug and wPTR TRVlacRmRnt • TPmPng bRlt

SERVICE DIRECT:

604-982-2566

DELUXE CLEAN INCLUDES: • Hand Wash

DELUXE CLEAN INCLUDES:

SAFETY CHECK RCMP auxiliary Const. David O’Neill checks on the proper installation and use of child safety seats during a clinic at a North Vancouver RCMP Community Policing sponsored event held at Civic Plaza in February. PHOTO PAUL MCGRATH

• Vacuum

• Hand Wash • ClRan WPndows insPdR & Out • Vacuum $ • ClRan & DTRss WhRRls & TPTRs $ 29.95 ValuR

Some See dRalRT dealerQoT forQull fulloQQRT offerdRtaPls. details.

Taxes extra.

OFFER EXPIRES 30, 2016.

SomRrestrictions TRstTPctPons apply. aVVly. SRR TaSRs RStTa. Offer expireS AprAPR 30, 2014.

Carter GM Has Your Body Shop & Service Needs Covered Accidents Happen. And when they do, we’re here to help.

We understand what you have been through, and want to make the repair process as trouble free as possible. We accept all ICBC and private insurance claims and will help guide you through the claim process.

Our ICBC Certified technicians repair all makes and models of vehicles. Our state of the art facility and equipment will put your vehicle back to factory and governmental safety standards quickly and efficiently for the safety of you and your family.

Spring Service

SPECIALS Need Tire Storage?

We’ve got you covered this spring - let us take care of your tires. We will catalogue, tag and safely secure your tires. (all makes welcome).

$50.00 per season

Alignment Special Let us Correct your Ride! We will perform a state of the art laser guided 4 wheel alignment to prevent abnormal tire wear.

Reg. price $139.95.

Sale Price

$109.95

Tire Install Low Price!!

Mount and balance your tires (up to 20”). We have extended our great low pricing from last year (reg. price up to $168.00) We welcome all makes, book your appointment today!

Only

$80

Plus taxes and fees

Northshore BUICK BUICK

GMC TR U CCK TSR U C K S CHEVY TRUCKS GM CHEVY TRUCKS

604-987-5231

Northshore Auto Mall, 800 Automall Dr. North Vancouver

www.carternorthshore.com

828 Automall Drive, North Vancouver

604.929.6736 www.northshoreacura.com