HINTS FOR THE MOTORIST

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 12007, 27 April 1936, Page 4

HINTS FOR THE MOTORIST

\ll m. ALBERT L. CLOUGH

CARRYING THE SPARE PLUGS

The days when it was necessary to carry a multitude of spare parts before setting off on a long motor trip have fortunately passed, but most careful motorists make a point into the cylinders and, as likely as the car’s outfit. Although there are no moving parts in a sparking plug, It is a thing which requires careful packing if damage to the thread, points and insulation is to be avoided. If plugs are left loose in the tool kit or wrapped up in a piece of rag from which they soon escape—they will be of little use when required, for the vibration of travel will have bruised the threads, making it almost impossible for the plugs to be screwed into the cylinders tnd, as likely as not, the points will be found squeezed together. It is not always necessary to carry new plugs as spares. It is essential to make sure, before fitting a new set in the engine, that they are of the correct type for this purpose, most plug manufacturers issue a recommendation list which will be found most useful. The old ones should then be cleaned and adjusted when they will serve as quite reliable spares. The best way to carry them is in the boxes which contained the new ones, or in containers specially for the purpose. Keep tin containers for the old plugs and to prevent them from rattling they should be wrapped in a piece of rag before being put in their tins, and a rubber band, such as a section of an old inner tube will then hold all the tins together, and the result is a parcel which will withstand travel among the spanners, jacks and general oddments of the motorists tool kit. Stop Tells ,A Lot How the engine stops offers a handy way of telling various things about its condition. If the engine is not in generally good condition, for instance, it will spin over a few times after the ignition is switched off. If it has been running too hot it may fire feebly once or twice after the switch is thrown off. Should there be an explosion in the muffler the indications are that unburned fuel has been getting into the exhaust. This may be due to a missing sparking plug, incorrect fuel mixture or to some error in timing. Stronger Eye Takes Load The one-eyed driver is not always the fellow with a burned out headlight. He may be someone who thinks he is seeing with two good eyes but ■who really put so much of the load on the stronger eye that he has overtaxed it. This dominance of one eye over the other is a serious factor in driving. It invariably happens to persons wiio think they see equally well with both eyes. Mid Course Is Best A point seldom appreciated by the motoring public is the consideration car manufacturers and engineers give to the matter of moderation. In every feature of design their aim is to compromise in such a way that owners do not enjoy one advantage at the expense of some annoyance or extra expense. One of the best examples is found in the matter of engine temperature. Recently I had occasion to make an emergency trip with the engine going on an overheating rampage. Temperature kept close to the boiling point all the way and, due to this fact, the engine gave very good petrol milage. When I came to check ray oil, however, I found I had lost more in lubricant than I had saved in petrol. It explained why the man-

ufactures do not design the cooling system for a higher operating temperature. Had heavier oil been used the engine might have overheated to the danger point and starting, when cold, would have been a greater problem. Warns You Are Coming

Even though the streets may be lighted well enough for you to see your way around at night always use the bright lights, and have the rays tilted down. The idea is to help other drivers know your car is approaching the crossings. At night headlights serve the same as continuous horning would in the daylight. In fact, lights are even better “horns” because they do not tend to cancel out each other. Cut Wheels In Motion

Watching others in process of manoeuvering their cars I find they overlook an opportunity to simplify the process. In backing up, for instance, cut the wheels fully in one direction and then, just before stopping swing them to the opposite side. This seems simple enough, but most drivers do not start to swing the wheels the other way until the car is stock still. By following the simple idea of cutting the wheels only when the car is in motion virtually all of the usual tugging on the steering wheel can be eliminated. Too Much Blind Driving

Believe it or not, most of us do considerable driving with blinders on. Individually these periods may be brief but in the aggregate they may reach surprising totals. It may be just your daily backing away from your parking space at the curb or perhaps it is one of those periods when you keep going ahead even though blinded by headlights from an approaching car. Often a driver does not have a safe view of the street when turning a corner, proceeding cautiously but anticipating that any moment he will be obliged to dodge a pedestrian. Mechanic Joe Speaking:

“Almost anything can happen to modern cars, and many of the most perplexing problems are due to the simplest causes. Honours at present go to one of my comrades who discovered why the headlights of a certain car invariably went out if they were switched on before the engine was cranked. If the engine were in operation before the lights were turned on everything was all right. Discovering that the lamp wiring came close to the vibration damper at the front of the engine he reasoned that this damper touched the bared wire only when the engine was starting up. At that time it vibrated most.” Asked and Answered.

Q. Sometimes my engine starts promptly while .other mornings 1 have to call for help. The battery is always able to spin the engine freely. I use winter oil and keep the ignition system in perfect condition. The garage is not particularly cold, though unheated. Can you suggest a remedy for this annoyance?—L. P. A. Next time the engine balks, lift the bonnet and wipe off the distributor head with a dry, clean cloth. Look for a crack in the. head. Dampness will cause moisture to collect on the head and thus short the high tension.

Q. I notice that the generator of my car does not charge as high m mild weather as when the temperature is down. What does this indicate?—S. F.

A. This condition is entirely normal. When cold a generator always charges more than when warmed up. Outside temperatures affect its charging rate accordingly.