Few people think about their vehicle's wiper blades, until they're caught in a downpour or snowstorm. Generally, blades should be changed every six months to eliminate these common problems -

Cracked or split rubber
- usually caused by ultraviolet rays or overly aggressive ice removal

Pitted. scarred or discoloured rubber
- usually caused by salt removing chemicals

Tom rubber
- where the rubber blade has pulled away from the arm and is slipping out or slapping against the glass

Worn rubber
- old blades will exhibit rounded or ragged edges, which will not clean properly

Windshield streaking
- can result from tree sap or road tar on the blades, from cracked, inflexible rubber or from blades clogged with snow or ice.

So how do you get the beet performance from your
blades?

Clean off the whole windshield - don't try to am out a Porthole. Gently remove ice from around the wiper blade and make sure the arm can move freely. Clean the snow off your hood and roof. Until your vehicle comes up to operating temperature the ability to melt that snow on the windshield is limited, and it will likely just smear.

Have you ever had the experience of driving away with a clear view only to have the windshield fog over instantly? That's usually the result of snow being drawn in through the defrost system. This is less likely to happen if you dean out your air intake on the hood.

The lowly wiper blade. Just a few simple steps can keep it invisible, and help you keep your eyes on the road.

Fuel injectors are the parts in your engine that take gasoline from your vehicle's fuel system and transfer it in precise amounts to the cylinders where the gas is burned.

Like miniature garden hose nozzles, which can be set to spray a specific pattern and amount of water. injectors spray fuel into the cylinders in an exactly shaped pattern and in an exact amount that gives your vehicle proper ignition and maximum power. The shape of the injector's spray pattern and its volume - the amount of fuel being sprayed at any given time - are absolutely critical to your engine's performance. Contamination can cause a slight change in the spray pattern or volume and that results in your engine losing power.

So, what causes ditty injectors? Well, in most cases deposits form over time in the chamber of the injector and on its tip. The additives in the gasoline you burn usually cause these deposits. Switching brands or to a higher octane rating won't help, all gasoline sold in this country have these additives.

What happens is the contaminants aren't burned up inside the cylinders? Instead, they begin to bake onto the first hot surface they encounter - your fuel injectors. As these deposits build up, they change the shape and volume of the injector's spray pattern.

Fuel injector deposits are a natural side effect of the combustion process and there's nothing you can do to avoid them.

Gasoline additives, although marketed as a means to clean your injectors actually are not terribly effective.

The ability of the solvents they contain to clean your injectors are greatly reduced when mixed with gasoline. Even

detergent-grade gasolines are no, Suspected by some

oil companies of actually contributing to fuel injector contamination.
Often it's hard to tell when dirty injectors are robbing your engine of power, because just as the deposits build up gradually, the vehicle's power and performance decreases gradually.

Occasionally an injector can become seriously clogged or plugged. This can cause hesitation, stumble and a sudden and noticeable loss of power. These symptoms are most noticeable when your injectors have to work the hardest - during warm-up or when you accelerate. Hard starting and rough idling can also be indications that your injectors need cleaning, or in extreme contamination, replacement of one or two of the injectors.

To prevent major fuel injector problems, regular professional cleaning is recommended. A good rule of thumb is every 1,500 - 2,000 gallons of gas burned - every 50,000 kilometres or so. Cleaned regularly, fuel injectors should last for tens of thousands of Kilometres of driving.

Every year a large majority of the vehicles on the road are caught unprepared for the first ,blast of really cold weather. Here is a quick 1 list of things to have checked before that first nasty blast:

• Cooling System: If it hasn't been done in a while, have your cooling system flushed ad put in fresh antifreeze. And don't forget to have containers, belts, hoses, the pressure caps and thermostat checked.
• Battery & Electrical System: If your battery is more than a few years old, have it tested. Cold weather is hard on batteries. Ensure connections are clean and tight. Corroded or loose connections can give the symptoms of a weak or dead battery.
• Engine: Faulty. wiring, worn spark plugs, a sticking choke or emission control devices that need attention, can all lead to hard starting. A diagnostic check-up of the engine can be a good pre-winter investment.
• Oil and Fitter: Dirty oil can give you trouble, in the winter. Don't forget to check the other fitters on your vehicle, including fuel, air and transmission filters.
• Tires:. For every WC of temperature drop, your tire pressure decreased by one pound. Tires which are. under-inflated affect gas mileage, traction and tire wear. Check your tire pressure regularly.

Regular maintenance should help keep your vehicle reliable and safe for any weather driving.