• Keep within posted speed limits. Your car pollutes more when it travels over 90 km/h.*
• Changing your oil regularly helps your engine function more efficiently, reduces wear and contributes to a cleaner environment.**
• Have your emission control equipment checked whenever you have a tune-up done.**
• Ask if your repair shop has CFC recovery equipment.*
• Return used motor oil for recycling. Rerefining motor oil restores it to as good as new quality.**
• Return used tires for recycling. Don't add them to the waste stream. Tires take at least 800 years to decompose.
• Look for car products which display the "EcoLogo."*
• Used car batteries should be disposed of in a recycling facility. Ask your service station if they do this before having the battery taken out.*

• Keep a full tank of gas.
• Keep your vehicle in good mechanical condition and have it checked by your automotive technician before starting your trip.
• Stay on well-lighted, well-traveled roads.
• Plan ahead - select your route on a map ahead of time and study it to know exactly where you are going. Avoid high-crime areas even if it means going out of your way.
• Lock all doors and keep the windows closed when driving through strange neighborhoods.
• Do not pick up hitchhikers.
• Keep your purse or wallet, jewelry, packages and other valuables out of sight. When you park your car, slip them into the trunk or under the seat.
• Always lock your vehicle when you leave it.
• Park close to your destination, preferably on a well-lighted street. If you park in a lot or garage, pick one that is well-lighted and staffed with an attendant 24 hours daily. Try to use a lot where you don't have to leave your car key. If you have to leave your car key, detach it from your other keys.
• If you are being followed, do not drive home or to your hotel. Drive to the nearest police or fire station, or a well-staffed service station.
• If someone locks you into your car intentionally, blast the horn repeatedly for help, but stay in your locked vehicle.
• Always keep an eye on your children, especially in large areas such as amusement parks and shopping centers.

If your vehicle breaks down on the highway, the CAA recommends the following:

• Signal and pull completely off the road onto the shoulder.
• Turn on your emergency flashers.
• Tie a cloth onto the driver's door handle or antenna, or use a reflector or other safety device to signal for help.
• Lock all doors and roll up windows.
• If someone other than a uniformed police officer stops, roll down the window only enough to ask them to telephone the police, your auto club or a service station.
• Because surroundings and hazards vary, use your best judgment in deciding whether to stay with your vehicle or to go for help.
• A citizen's band (CB) radio or car phone is a good investment if you drive alone frequently and can be used to summon help in the event of a breakdown or emergency. You are particularly vulnerable when entering and leaving your car. If you notice someone loitering about your vehicle, walk past it to find help. Look inside the car before opening it, and take special note of the back seat floor and underneath the vehicle.

Canadian pioneers in covered wagons were probably on the trail less than an hour when their children began asking: "Are we there yet?" It's a question as timeless as travel where children are concerned, but its repetition can spoil an otherwise pleasant journey. The best advice when traveling with kids is to make the trip fun and allow for a schedule that is flexible. It is a common mistake to assume children will be entertained by the journey. Because children's attention span is shorter than that of an adult, they lose interest in changing scenery quickly. It is also important to anticipate more frequent stops when driving with children.

Here are some suggestions to help time pass quickly and safely for traveling children:

• Secure children in safety seats or seat belts as required by law.
• Outfit them in comfortable clothes that are warm or cool enough.
• Pack special snacks and bring favorite toys that are appropriate for in-vehicles use.
• Bring books, compact games and puzzles that can be used quietly.
• Let children choose a radio station they like. If your car has a cassette/CD player, bring recorded stories and songs for youngsters.

• Check air pressure at least twice a month. Check air pressure only when tires are cool (at least three hours after the vehicle has been driven).
• Keep an accurate tire gauge in your car.
• Have your tires inspected and rotated by your dealer every six months or 12,000 Kms.
• All tires now have wear rib indicators molded across the tread to show minimum safe tread depth.

Squeaks, squeals, rattles, rumbles, and other sounds can provide valuable clues about problems and maintenance needs. Here are a number of the more common noises and what they may mean.

Squeal - A shrill, sharp noise, usually related to engine speed.

• Loose or worn power steering, fan or air conditioning belt.

Click - A slight sharp noise, related to either engine speed or vehicle speed.

• Loose wheel cover.
• Loose or bent fan blade.
• Stuck valve lifter or low engine oil.

Screech - A high-pitched, piercing metallic sound, usually occurs while the vehicle is in motion.

• It is caused by brake wear indicators to alert the driver that brake maintenance is needed.

Rumble - A low-pitched rhythmic sound.

• Defective exhaust pipe, converter or muffler.
• Worn universal joint or other drive-line component.

Ping - A high pitched metallic tapping sound, related to engine speed.

• Usually caused by fuel with a lower octane rating than recommended. Check your owner's manual for the proper octane rating. You may want to switch to a different gas octane or gas station. If the problem persists, engine ignition timing could be the culprit.

Heavy Knock - A rhythmic pounding sound.

• Worn crankshaft or connecting rod bearing.
• Loose transmission torque converter.

Clunk - A random thumping sound.

• Loose shock absorber or other suspension component.
• Loose exhaust pipe or muffler.

Difficult handling, a rough ride, vibration and poor performance are the kinds of symptoms you can feel. When the driving experience doesn't feel quite right, look for:

Steering - Wandering or difficulty steering in a straight line can be caused by misaligned front wheels and/or worn steering components such as the idler arm or ball joints.

Pulling - The vehicle's tendency to steer to the left or right can be caused by something as simple as under-inflated tires, or as serious as a damaged or misaligned front end.

Identifying the cause of a puddle of fluid under your vehicle may save you serious trouble down the road. Small stains or an occasional drop may be of little concern. But wet spots deserve attention and bigger puddles should be checked immediately by your dealer.

Fluids can be identified by their color and consistency:

Yellowish green, pastel blue or florescent orange colors - indicate an overheated engine or an antifreeze leak caused by a bad hose, water pump or leaking radiator.

Dark brown or black oily fluid - means the engine is leaking oil. The leak could be caused by a bad seal or gasket.

A puddle of clear water - is usually no problem. It may be normal condensation from your vehicle's air conditioning system.

A red oily spot - indicates a transmission or power-steering fluid leak.

Some problems can be detected simply by following your nose. Consider these causes if you smell something unusual about your vehicle:

Burned toast or a light, sharp odor - often signals an electrical short and burning insulation. To be safe, try not to drive the vehicle until the problem is diagnosed.

Rotten eggs or a continuous burning-sulphur smell - usually indicates a problem in the catalytic converter or other emission control devices. Do not delay diagnosis and repair.

If you smell gasoline vapors after a failed start, you may have flooded the engine. Wait a few minutes before trying again. If you constantly smell gas, you probably have a leak in the fuel system. This is a potentially dangerous problem that should be repaired immediately.

Burning resin or an acrid chemical odor - may signal overheated brakes or clutch. Check the parking brake. Stop and allow the brakes to cool after repeated hard braking on mountain roads. Light smoke coming from a wheel indicates a stuck brake. The vehicle should be towed for repair.

A sweet, steamy odor - indicates a coolant leak. If the temperature gauge or warning light does not indicate overheating, drive carefully to the nearest service station, keeping an eye on your gauges. If the odor is accompanied by a hot, metallic scent and steam from under the hood, your engine has overheated. Pull over immediately. Continued driving could cause severe engine damage. The vehicle should be towed for repair.

A thick acrid odor - usually means burning oil. Look for signs of a leak.

1. Never work under a raised car unless it is on level ground and supported securely by ramps or axle stands. Any wheels remaining on the ground must be chocked to prevent rolling.
2. Always work in a well-ventilated area when the car engine is running.
3. Disconnect the battery ground cable before working on the car's electrical system.
4. For fuel-injected cars, release the fuel pressure before disconnecting any fuel line.
5. Remember that a warm engine can cause a thermostatically-controlled electric fan to start unexpectedly, even if the engine is turned off. Make sure that you are not in its way.
6. Beware of hot muffler pipes, hoses, exhaust manifold and radiator.
7. Never store gasoline in your home or garage.
8. Read your Owner's Manual for the maintenance schedule tailored to your car.
9. Return all used oil to a recycling facility.
10. Return used tires for recycling. Don't add them to the waste stream. Tires take at least 800 years to decompose.
11. Major maintenance and repair tasks are better left to your dealer or qualified technician.

Anyone who has been driving for any length of time has probably had occasion to 'jump start' a vehicle because of a 'dead' battery. While that battery may look harmless enough, it is surprising how easily it can be the cause of serious injuries.

For your safety and peace of mind, consider the following information and tips:

1. After prolonged use (such as cranking the engine for a long period of time), batteries produce hydrogen gas which can explode on contact with a lit cigarette or some other spark.

2. Always remove the negative (or ground) cable first, whenever you work with the battery. You can identify it by the (-) sign. Reconnect this cable last when you are done. This will help prevent sparking which may ignite any hydrogen gas present.

3. To 'jump' start your vehicle safely:
   • connect one end of the red cable to the (+) terminal on the working battery first, then connect the other end of the red cable to the (+) terminal on the 'dead' battery.
   • Next, connect the one end of the black cable to the (-) terminal of the working battery.
   • Then, connect the other end of the black cable to the engine block of the car you are 'boosting.' If you're not sure where that is, connect it to some exposed metal away from the battery of the car you're trying to start.

You can e-mail us by choosing one of the following options: