3 minute read
CAR OWNER & DEB NIZNIKOWSKI
CAR NAME–YEAR & MODEL INFO
ZABA - 2013 MUSTANG GT
MEMBERS OF THE STANG MAG FAMILY ARE MORE PASSIONATE ABOUT FUN AND INCLUSION THAN THEY ARE THEIR CARS AND THAT SAYS A LOT!
I met Daniel Ramey at a Beltway Mustang show and won my spot with STANG Magazine in their Carlisle Ford Nationals display. Needless to say I wasn’t sure what to expect being that I didn’t know the people attending and was going by myself.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF OWNING THE CAR CAME WHEN GENE WINFIELD CAME TO OUR CITY FOR A MEET AND GREET AND HE SIGNED THE DASH.
My passion for Mustangs began at an early age when my parents bought a 1984 Mustang when I was in high school. The Mustang passion has been growing ever since.
My first Mustang was a 1995 V6 and through the years I’ve managed to own six Mustangs. By far my favorite is our ‘13 GHIG 5.0. We also own a 2002 Mustang GT which is my wife’s pony.
If you asked me if I thought I’d be writing an article for STANG Magazine for my car this time last year I would’ve said no. If you asked me if I would be writing it about a different car than the 2005 Roush Mustang I had I would’ve said hell no. I loved that car but acquiring this one reinvigorated my passion for car shows and events!
The green machine has a few mods. We put in a Boss intake manifold, JLT Cai, O/R custom H-pipe, GT500 quad tip axle back mufflers, and GT500 hood as well. It is currently running a custom tune from a local tuner. Suspension wise it has Steeda suspension and NItto tires with Niche Misano wheels. For the interior, we put in Katskinz leathers with suede inserts and green stitching plus many more mods.
We attend many car shows through the summer and to our shock and happiness we placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in our class at various Mustang meets. The highlight of owning the car came when Gene Winfield came to our city for a meet and greet and he signed the dash.
The STANG Mag family welcomed me in from the very start and made me feel like one of their own!
Members of the STANG Mag family are more passionate about fun and inclusion than they are their cars and that says a lot! I can’t wait to see what’s to come in
“JUST THE TIP
DAMN THAT’S CRUSTY! YOU EVER CLEAN THAT THING?
While it may seem small and insignificant, corrosion on your battery terminals can cause serious headaches with your ride. We’ve all seen it and have probably had cars where we experienced it, and it can be a common cause of reduced battery life. So what is the battery corrosion you see on the terminals, what causes it, and what’s the best way to fix it?
What is it – The battery is filled with a mixture of sulfuric acid and water. When the battery is charging, it heats up, and some of that water evaporates. And in a process called electrolysis, the water breaks down into hydrogen and oxygen that will dissipate through the battery. When the hydrogen gas makes contact with air, moisture, and salt, it causes the corrosive buildup that you see on your terminals.
What causes it – There are multiple factors that can cause this corrosion in a battery. Age for one. A battery typically has a lifespan of three to five years. They become more susceptible to corrosion as they reach their expiration date. Another cause is overheating. Batteries that overcharge or overheat due to higher temperatures will evaporate more water, hence increasing the chance of corrosion. This is why corrosion is higher risk in the summer. And of course leaking fluid. If the battery case is cracked, no matter how small, it can leak battery acid and cause corrosion.
How to fix it – If it’s a recurring problem with your battery, it’s probably time for a replacement. Even if it starts great every morning and runs with no issues, corrosion that keeps coming back within a few months of cleaning means it time for a change. But to clean up the battery you have, it’s a simple as removing the battery cables, using a wire brush to clean the terminals and battery cable ends. Then use either a commercial terminal cleaner, or take the easy cheap route and mix baking soda with warm water(as this will neutralize any acidic residue in the corrosion) and wipe them down with a rag. Remember that the corrosion is caustic and can cause skin and eye damage, so play it safe and wear gloved and eye protection.
Pro-Tip - Before disconnecting the battery, hook up a ‘memory saver’ to the car so your car’s computer, and all other settings, do not get erased. More on that in next month’s issue of Just The Tip!
