Thursday, March 25, 2010 — THE MEDICINE HAT NEWS GAS CITY PRE-OWNED

7

Buying vehicles for teens

(MS) If we rely on the statistics of certain major automotive manufacturers, a wave of new drivers is headed our way. And that means a lot of teens behind the wheel-maybe including yours.

It's no surprise that parents want to have some say in the vehicle their teen drives. And while we would all like to buy them a brand new vehicle, not all of us have pockets that deep. Aside from some of the smaller, very economical cars available, most new vehicles today are fairly expensive. So the next best thing is finding a used vehicle that is reliable and that has been well maintained.

At the used car lot, it's your job to keep your teen away from the performance vehicles. Not only are they most likely to be in questionable condition, but their previous owners probably also challenged their performance capabilities on a fairly regular basis. They also cost a fortune to insure, especially when it's a teen who will be sitting behind the wheel.

Alternatively, you can check the classified ads and try to find a late model car or truck that will be safe and easy to drive (while not embarrassing your teen to the point of being so for life). There are a few compact vehicles that consumer guides rate as offering good value for your money. A well- maintained pick-up truck could also be a good choice, particularly if you have a teen who will want to haul large sports equipment around.

Get ready for road trips

• Proper tire inflation -

Remove your snow tires and ensure your summer tires are properly inflated. For every 28 kilopascals (four pounds per square inch) of under- inflation, fuel use increases by about two per cent. Properly inflated tires will last longer, make your vehicle safer to drive and save fuel.

• Remove the roof rack

-Although you might be tempted to stack your bicycles or lifejackets on a roof rack, a loaded or empty roof rack increases fuel consumption through aerodynamic drag. Try a removable roof rack instead.

• Check fluid levels - Check

engine oil, engine coolant, transmission fluid and power steering fluid at least once a month or as indicated in the owner's manual, and change fluids according to the manufacturer's recommendations in your owner's manual. Also check around and under the car for fluid leaks.

• Check for wheel alignment and brake drag that can increase fuel consumption

- Check for uneven tire wear. Have your vehicle serviced regularly, and don't rest your foot on the brake pedal when you are driving.

• Remove unnecessary weight

- If you add weight to your vehicle for extra traction in the winter months, remember to remove it when the snow melts. Unnecessary weight results in wasted fuel and causes unnecessary emissions.

• Use your air conditioning

sparingly - Even as you're heading out of town, remember that air conditioning can increase fuel consumption by 20 per cent in city driving because of the extra load on the engine. Open a window or use your vent. If you must use the air conditioning, set it to a level that allows the system to shut off once the vehicle is cooled.

• Reduce unnecessary idling -

Even though it might be fun to stop by the side of the road to admire a landmark, idling for more than 60 seconds burns more fuel than it takes to restart the engine. Turn off the engine, roll down the windows and enjoy the fresh air.

Source: Natural Resources Canada, www.vehicles.nrcan.gc.ca.

www.newscanada.com

Sandy MacDonald Nicole St Germain Dale Roberts

Jeff Ebel

Barry Hagemeister John McLeod Ken Wuitchik Dan Quinney

Grant Kitzul

www.bigmford.ca • (403) 527-4406 1312 Trans Canada Way • Medicine Hat, AB

52381100•03/25/10

1312 Trans Canada Way Medicine Hat

403-527-4406

www.bigmford.ca

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STARTS SOON

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