051717carecare spring

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May 17, 2017 |

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Family Features

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hether you’re hitting the open road for a leisurely cruise or simply spending more time in your car keeping up with a fast-paced summer, you want your vehicle at its best when it comes to safety, style and comfort.

The change of seasons is a great time to give your car some special attention to ensure you can confidently roll right through summer. Start by running through a checklist to ensure your car’s safety features are in good working order. Test headlights, tail lights and turn signals, and check fluid levels, topping off or replacing as needed. Also be sure tires are properly inflated, and inspect seat belts for any imperfections that may hinder performance.

If you’re going to arrive safely, why not go in style, too? Keeping your car sparkling clean not only protects finishes inside and out, it’s the easiest way to make your ride look great. Let your personality show with subtle touches like seat covers or license plate wraps bearing your favorite sports team or college.

And don’t forget comfort. Have visors ready to block harsh sun rays, and be sure your air conditioner is ready to deliver a refreshing blast of cool air. Add an air freshener with a subtle summery scent, and don’t forget to throw a light blanket in the trunk so you’re ready when a cool evening breeze kicks up.

Make the most of your summer on the move with these ideas that make caring for your car a cinch.

Road trip ready

Easy ways to accessorize your ride Simple accessories can add fun and function to your daily commute or a summertime trek across the state. Keep these auto additions in mind and you’ll be stocked up for wherever the road takes you. n Seat

covers. A day at the sandy beach or a messy camping trip is no match for a seat cover.

Available in a variety of colors to suit individual styles and preferences, seat covers not only protect your upholstery from harsh pool chemicals or gritty sand, they also shield your skin from hot, sun-soaked materials.

n Floor

mats. Make cleanup simple with quality floor mats. Especially helpful for families, they help reduce floor messes with a simple shake or a quick vacuum.

n Trash

can. Trips big or small can bring about plenty of trash. Have a handy place to stash it with a convenient receptacle. Options include units that fit within cup holders, tie around the head rest and even clip to the interior door.

A road trip is a fun way to enjoy a summer getaway, while providing ultimate flexibility to keep your own schedule and pace. Protect your vehicle and your own safety by following these recommendations from the Car Care Council and complete a thorough pre-trip checklist before hitting the road: n Check

the brake system, and make sure the battery connection is clean, tight and corrosionfree.

n Check

filters and fluids, including engine oil, power steering and brake and transmission, as well as windshield washer solvent and coolant. Dirty air filters can waste gas and cause the engine to lose power.

n Check

hoses and belts that can become cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or show signs of excessive wear. These are critical to the proper functioning of the electrical system, air conditioning, power steering and the cooling system.

n Check

the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Underinflated tires reduce a vehicle’s fuel economy and uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.

n Check

that the gas cap is not damaged, loose or missing to prevent gas from spilling or evaporating.

Community Shuttle SPOKANE / NEWPORT

SPECIAL MOBILITY SERVICES Monday • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday A.M. ARRIVE 6:30 AM 8:15 AM 10:15 AM

DEPART Spokane: Bank of America Howard & Riverside 6:35 AM Newport: Safeway 8:30 AM Spokane Bank of America Howard & Riverside

P.M. ARRIVE

DEPART

2:00 PM

Spokane: Bank of America Howard & Riverside 2:05 PM

4:15 PM

Newport: Safeway

5:45 PM

Spokane: Bank of America

4:30 PM

In the City of Spokane, we pick up or drop off at the Bank of America on Riverside and Howard. Upon request, we can also pick up at the following locations: Spokane International Airport, any of the major Hospitals including VA hospital, NorthTown Mall, Northpoint Wal-Mart, 29th and Regal, Fancher and Sprague or Trent and Fancher.

If you have a disability that prevents you from reaching one of our stops, please call our office to see if we can arrange a pickup at your home.

One-way fares $5.00 Newport/Spokane Reserve seating has priority. Open seating is available without reservations as capacity allows.

To reserve a seat, please call 24-hours in advance or during office hours: 8:30am to 5:00pm

1-877-264-RIDE (7433) • 509-534-7171 Service is open to the general public. Service is available to all regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or disability. This service meets the requirements of the American’s With Disabilities Act. This service is funded through grants from Washington DOT.

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DIY car care everyone can do While taking your car to an auto service professional is a great way to ensure its performance, the Car Care Council reminds vehicle owners there are few simple vehicle checks that they can easily learn and do themselves to save a little money and help keep their vehicles running efficiently all summer long.

With basic knowledge of common maintenance practices and a little time, motorists can inspect the following components in their own driveway: Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.

Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering and brake and transmission, as well as windshield washer fluid and antifreeze/coolant.

Check the hoses and belts as they can become cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or show signs of excessive wear. These are critical to the proper functioning of the electrical system, air conditioning, power steering and the cooling system.

Check the wipers and lighting so that you can see and be seen. Check that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and inspect and replace worn wiper blades.

Keep the reservoir filled with windshield washer fluid.

To keep the cooling

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system working effectively, the coolant and distilled water mixture for a vehicle’s radiator should be 50:50.

Never open a hot radiator cap when checking the coolant level in the reservoir.

As a rule of thumb, the coolant should be changed annually on most vehicles.

Check the gas cap to ensure it is not damaged, loose or missing to prevent gas from spilling or evaporating.

Don’t neglect the ex-

terior.

When washing the outside, make sure to include the tires and wheels and the underside and fenders to eliminate any road salt or grime. The body of the vehicle should be washed using a product sold specifically for cars. Wax your vehicle every six months.

To learn more about how to care for you vehicle, and for a free copy of the popular Car Care Guide, visit www. carcare.org.

Recognizing the signs of vehicle engine damage BETHESDA, Md. – It’s not always easy to recognize when your vehicle is suffering from engine damage as symptoms can be overlooked and seen as “normal.” While not all sounds and smells may threaten the life of your engine, there are some obvious warning signs that require a vehicle inspection right away, according to the Car Care Council.

“Early diagnosis of engine damage can most likely be treated, but it is important to be aware of potentially damaging symptoms and have the vehicle inspected if something doesn’t seem right,” said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council.

“By acting quickly and making necessary repairs as soon as possible, you could be saving yourself from the cost and hassle of breaking down along the road.”

One of the signs of engine trouble is an illuminated check engine light. This light indicates that a vehicle system, such as the ignition, fuel injection or emission control, is not operating properly, even if the vehicle appears to be running normally. Ignoring the check engine light can negatively impact your fuel economy or cause damage resulting in more costly repairs.

Many motorists are familiar with the noises their vehicles make on a daily basis. However, any noise See damage, 4B

WEAVER’S

GARAGE & EXHAUST “Major & Minor Vehicle Repairs” Mark Weaver Owner

(509) 684-3581

(509) 684-6524 281 W. 3rd Ave. Colville, WA 99114

We Employ Technicians Certified By The National Institute For Automotive Service Excellence

Mon-Fri: 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. • 505 S. Main • Colville

Priest River Glass “We have all your glass needs covered.”

Auto Residential Commercial 208-448-2511 • 800-858-5013 Priest River, ID

Always replace headlight bulbs in pairs Typically, motorists will only replace a headlight bulb that has burned out or is failing. However, replacing just one failed bulb can result in an unbalanced or unpredictable headlight beam, which presents a potential safety risk. From the driver’s perspective, the road ahead will not be properly lit, and the driver will not get the full benefit of the vehicle’s headlights as the car maker originally intended.

From the oncoming driver’s perspective, an uneven headlamp beam can create an equally risky safety issue.

The oncoming car will be harder to see and difficult to position on the road.

It could also be confused with a single headlight vehicle such as a motorcycle.

Replacing important auto parts in pairs is a common sense idea. Professional automotive technicians and driving safety advocates alike consis-

tently recommend that tires, brakes, shocks, and wiper blades should be replaced in pairs to make sure the vehicle is properly balanced and functioning safely. Lighting is no different and equally as important to driver safety.

Why replace headlight bulbs when they get old?

Many drivers will only replace a bulb that has completely failed, but for maximum driving safety, an aging bulb should replaced before it burns out. The filament of any halogen headlight bulb ages with use, time, and exposure to the elements. As a result, the bulb’s light output deteriorates.

At the end of their typical service life, headlight bulbs project less light, and that reduces the driver’s nighttime See bulbs, 4B

“Like it never happened” ally Locally d Owned New Ownership & Operated New Management

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GET READY FOR SUMMER! Lifetime Guarantee Loaner Cars All Insurance Accepted Free Estimates

Time to let us check your Oil • Coolant • AC • Alignment Brakes • Shocks Newport, WA • 509-447-4225 www.rogersbodyandframe.com

Certified Master Tech on duty to serve you!

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May 17, 2017 |

Whitey’s Wrecking

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1-800-735-2376 376 Daily Worldwide Shipping ping

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Washington Customers Call Toll Free!

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Five ways fuel-injected lawn tractors will change how you mow The term “fuel-injected engine” is most closely tied to engines for highperformance cars – both on the road and on the race track. Now this popular technology is making its way to yards around the country with the introduction of fuelinjected residential lawn mowers.

The first manufacturer to offer this innovation in a residential lawn tractor – the single-cylinder XT Enduro Series – Cub Cadet now offers a v-twin electronic fuelinjected (EFI) engine, which has undergone a rigorous certification process with hundreds of hours of testing and more than 60 qualification tests to deliver premium quality and strength.

Here are five benefits EFI engines can provide that will change the way homeowners cut the grass.

Better performance.

Precise metering of fuel being fed to the engine optimizes performance for a better overall mow-

Steve’s

Import Auto Service, Inc. Maintenance & Repair Subaru, Imports & Domestic

1111 Michigan Street • Sandpoint, oint ID

208 -263-4911

Emerald Automotive “We Stand in Front of our Brake Jobs” Tune-ups Computer Diagnostics Diesel Repair

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208-263-3483 ing experience. An electronic control unit uses sensors around the engine to deliver the exact amount of fuel needed, which compensates for variations in load, speed, fuels, temperatures and pressures to supply the engine with the right dose of fuel for maximum performance.

Fewer fill-ups. EFI engines deliver excellent fuel consumption, using up to 25 percent less fuel than standard carburet-

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ed engines. That means less time refilling the gas tank and more time enjoying the lawn.

Less maintenance.

Many maintenance issues with lawn mowers are related to carburetors. Because EFI engines don’t have carburetors, it is one less thing to worry about and results in fewer oil changes. There are also no special actions needed to prep the fuel tank for winter, such as

draining any fuel left in the tank.

Reduced gasoline emissions. Less fuel consumption means less gasoline emissions. The fuel injection technology used on Cub Cadet riding mowers actually goes a step further with oxygen sensors in the engine’s muffler that continuously monitor the amount of fuel injected and adjust the system accordingly See tractor, 4B

A P A N W KNO HOW 3 Locations to Serve You 300 S. Union Ave., Newport WA • 509-447-4515 5398 Hwy 2, Priest River ID • 208-448-1412 514 Larch, Sandpoint ID • 208-263-2171

Hanson’s Powerstroke Repair Specializing in Ford Diesel Computer Diagnostic Repairs

Ray Hanson - Owner Mobile & Shop Service Over 30 Years Experience Priest River, Idaho Cell @ 360-770-1180 rahfortech@gmail.com

509-928-4000

POWER STROKE DIESEL

www.pullandsave.com

11125 N. Market St. • Mead

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Honest • Prompt Now Servicing Diesels

• Transmission • Brakes & Differentials • Air Conditioning • Oil Changes & Inspections • Tune-Ups • Engine • Engine Repair p g Performance

• Electronics & Diagnostics • Computers & Programming • Steering & Suspension • Exhaust Service

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SERVICE FOR ALL MAKES AND MODELS Diagnostic Specialists Mon-Fri 8-5 • 40 High St., Priest River, ID • 208-448-0112

Do you have any household

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Latex Paint Questions Call 509-671-6147-or 509-447-4513

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We’ll treat you like family.

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CAREY’S INC AUTO BODY

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Riverside Automotive Service and Repair

Planning is your best protection against the unexpected.

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Foreign & Domestic Repair • Tune-ups • Diagnostic Service • Brakes • Clutches • Electrical • Engine •Air Conditioning

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34612 N. Newport Hwy 2 Chattaroy, WA

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tractor:

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to only use the amount needed.

Push-button starting. With EFI engines, a simple push of a button starts the lawn tractor. Plus, it starts in all weather conditions with no choke necessary.

“This is the latest example of innovation homeowners are seeing in their lawn equipment,” said Emily Sword, director of Cub Cadet marketing.

“With more efficient performance and less maintenance, it means less time worrying about your lawn and more time enjoying it.”

visibility.

For example, a new headlight bulb that can typically project a 240-foot beam will only be able to deliver a 160-foot beam after three years.

That’s potentially a whopping 33 percent less light and a critical safety concern.

Changing bulbs in pairs also makes good sense from an efficiency point of view. You only have to go to the shop once and you reduce the risk of the other headlight bulb failing while you’re on the road.

damage: Excessive smoke, steam From Page 2B

that is new, different or suspicious may indicate a problem, including a high-pitched squeal, grinding or thumping.

Sounds under the hood, such as hissing, can also indicate that your vehicle is in need of attention.

Although all cars burn fossil fuels that create undesired emissions, these odors should remain outside of the car.

Unusual smells that could signal engine damage include: burnt rubber, hot oil, gasoline, sweet smell of syrup, burning carpet and rotten eggs. When you smell any peculiar odor, you should not

ignore it.

Another symptom of engine damage is excessive amounts of smoke or steam. Although some smoke is normal, excessive amounts of dark smoke in particular indicates that oil is leaking into the combustion chamber and is being burned along with the gasoline.

“We do more than

D 3 2 transmissions” R N 1 P NORMAN MERKEL 509-684-9200 “Trust the Specialist!” 1046 N. Hwy 395 Colville, WA