Dave Redinger The Neighborhood Mechanic 's Column
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DAVE
REDINGER
The holiday season is here and you are going to hear a lot about “the evils of drinking and driving”.
It’s a sobering subject when you realize four people die each day in alcohol related deaths. If you find yourself over the limit here’s two helpful hints that may save your life. First off, according to George Cooke of the Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company, operation “Red Nose” will be in effect. Call their number in you area and a volunteer will give you a safe ride home. These people are giving up their Christmas to help you and save lives at the same time. These folks and the countless volunteers like them deserve our praise and respect.
The second way home? Well; according to Brian Lawrie of
Pointts (the traffic consultants), “Just call a tow truck”. It
may cost you more than a cab, but; you’ll arrive safely and have your
car in the driveway, when you sober up.
When I take my car in for service the shop let’s me use one of their cars for the day. I often wonder who’s insurance is covering the car? If the answer is the shop’s insurance do I have to sign something?
Paula
Well; I knew the answer to this one, but I checked with Nora Hohman of the Dominion just to make sure.
This lady is the V.P. of claims (that means she’s smart). When you are driving a vehicle as a “replacement unit”, your insurance is in effect, covering you and the car. The shop will ask if you have a valid driver’s license and have you sign a work order. The same goes when you are on vacation, your policy should cover the rental car. Contact your broker to confirm this in effect on your policy. Ask for a 27 endorsement. Also make sure every driver that will be behind the wheel is listed and covered.
Last week I answered a reader’s snow tire question, Larry was kind enough to fill in the details.
Hi Dave, your last sentence re: installing four winter tires in heavy snow on FWD is misleading. The recommendation from Transport Canada and Canadian Insurance Bureau is to install four winter tires. Period. Reason being is the braking " traction" differences between non winter and winter tires. The "rubber"
compounds between winter tires versus others is dramatic. Winter tires greatly outperform others at lower ambient temperatures ( 7 Celsius and below. ) These winter tires have a snow flake emblem on the sidewall that designates meets severe snow service requirements. Would you go skating with a Bauer on one foot and a gum boot on the other. ( pretty harsh example ). Like your articles and keep slugging.
Larry Hardy, O.K. Tire Stores Inc.
Dave Redinger a mechanic with over 40 yrs of experience.
Dave operates his shop “DOCTOR H HONDA SPECIALISTS in Toronto for the
last 25 yrs.
Email : davidredinger@rogers.com ( we respond to every email)
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