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Show CAR CARE Special Oct. 15, 2007 • Page 4 DEAD BATTERY From page 3 spare may well be much smaller than standard tires if you have a newer car - it's only meant to get you someplace where they can fix or replace the normal tire. 7. Replace lug nuts on the bolts. Start with the top lug (one closest to 12 o'clock) and handtighten clockwise (no wrench). Move one nut over, and do the same. Work around the wheel but do not tighten adjacent nuts consecutively. Once in place, tighten a bit more with the wrench. 8. Slowly lower the jack and remove it. 9. Tighten lug nuts again (clockwise) as much as you can. 10. Replace hubcap; put flat and tools in the car. Remove the chock or rock if you used one and ease on down the road. Practice this at least once when you're not on the road so you know the whereabouts of tools and jacking points, how hubcaps come off, etc. A four-way lug wrench usually doesn't come with the car; they're available for about $10 (and up, of course) wherever auto parts stores are sold. Make sure you get one that fits your car (they come in metric or American - SAE - variations). Tools and materials: 12- to 18foot jumper cables, a car that's running; maybe a flashlight and steel wool. 1. Pull a car with a charged battery next to the car with the dead battery. Get the two batteries as close together as you can but don't allow cars to touch. 2. Turn off all accessories in the "dead" vehicle and both engines; pull out the keys; put both cars in park (or in first gear if they have stick shifts); engage emergency brakes and open the hoods and remove any plastic or rubber covers to battery posts. 3. Attach a red-handled/positive jumper cable clamp to the positive terminal (the one with a "plus" sign) of the working car's battery. Don't let cable clamps touch during the jump. Be sure the connection is strong and that the clamp securely "bites" onto the battery terminal. 4. Connect the other end of the positive cable (red) to the positive battery terminal on the dead vehicle (again, confirm that a "plus" is next to the battery terminal). If terminals are corroded on either vehicle, you may have to scrape them with an abrasive such as steel wool to get down to metal and make a solid connection. 5. Attach the negative (black) cable to the negative post (with the "minus" sign) on the good battery. 6. Attach the other end of the negative cable to a clean, unpainted spot on the engine of the car with the dead battery. 7. Start the car with the good battery and let it idle; attempt to start the car with the dead battery. You can rev the engine slightly on the running car while the other car is attempting to start. 8. Keep both cars running and turn on the headlights of both cars. 9. Disconnect the cables in the reverse order of how they went on: negative cable from engine, negative cable from good battery; positive cable from dead battery, positive cable from good battery. (Don't let the cable clamps touch until all are disconnected) 10. Turn off the headlights 11. Don't stop the car with the dead battery. Let it run for a while, preferably at highway speeds to charge the dead battery. Batteries contain hydrogen and oxygen - flammable gasses. When jump-starting a car, there is a remote possibility of explosion. It's unlikely, unless the battery has been sitting for a long time and little or no air has circulated in the area. Prevent Blindness America suggests wearing splashproof polycarbonate goggles when jump-starting a battery. Goggles should have a Z-87 label on the frame. The association also stresses not smoking when working on a battery. And never to jump-start your battery if the car's fluids are frozen. OVERHEATED RADIATOR Tools and materials: Rag, funnel, coolant (half antifreeze, half water; in an emergency just water will do). 1. Turn off the engine. 2. Wait. If engine is steaming, don't open the hood. When engine cools, open the hood. 3. Check the coolant reservoir tank first. It's a plastic jug that has a small hose running to the radiator. The reservoir can be filled when the engine is hot; add coolant (water and antifreeze) to the reservoir, using a funnel to avoid spilling. In a pinch it is OK to add only water or only antifreeze. (On some cars, it is difficult to see the full line on the coolant reservoir. Bounce the car up and down while looking to see how full the reservoir is.) Put cap back on the coolant reservoir. Note: On German and Swedish cars, the plastic reservoir is also under pressure, so don't open when the engine is hot. See SAFETY H, next page Stop the Madness! Life is about having options. Wouldn't you like to know yours? As an independent agency, we represent numerous insurance companies who are all willing to give better rates to compete for your business. We can shop around for you to ensure you get the best deal possible. We give you the most options, and ultimately save you the most money on your insurance. Last year drivers who were insured with Allstate, State Farm, Geico, and other major companies, but came in and talked to us saved an average of $365.52. Student life is hard enough without overpaying for your insurance. Let us help by putting a little extra cash back in your pocket. What could you do with an extra $20, $40, or even $60 every month? . • , If you would like to know your options, call us or come in for a free consultation. Dave Morrill, Owner Lee Wilson, Agent o Logan Insurance Agency o Auto o Home o Health o Life 435-752-4044 491N. Main St. Logan |