CARE OF THE CAR.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20037, 19 September 1930, Page 6

CARE OF THE CAR.

POINTS TO WATCH. The use of tlio self-starter prevents one from keeping in as €lose touch with his engine as he should. Where the crank was used to start the engine, it was easy to determine if it was proper-j ly lubricated and if the compression was good or not. Whenever there is any sign of loss of power the starting handle should be used to see if the crankshaft turns freely and* the compression is good. Do it now, while the engine is in proper condition, and then there will be a basis for comparison when something goes wrong. A new set of spark plugs is the best sort of tonic for a motor that has no longer the right kind of pep, but appears sluggish and generally out of sorts. After a set of spark plugs has delivered 10,000 miles they are always coated with oil, and their, electrodes are apt to be pitted so that they don't spark, well any more. That means incomplete combustion of petrol and wasted fuel, besides unsatisfaptory performance of the car." For that reason it is really economical to install new plugs at least once a year, and now is as good a time as any. In order to obtain better performance from the battery as well as increasing its life, have the battery inspected about every two or three weeks during the warm months; keep the terminals and connexions clean t« ensure good electric contact; always keep the solution above the tops of the plates in each cell by adding water frequently, and have the generator .adjusted to spring and summer driving conditions. The headlight should bo so arranged that no portion of the reflected beam of light, when measured 75 feet or'more ahead of the lamps, shall be over 42 inches above the level surface on which the vehicle stands. ' Such headlights will also give sufficient side illumination to indicate any person, vehicle, or substantial object 10 feet to the side of said .motor vehicle at a point 10 feet ahead of the lamps. One of the best plans to start a stubborn engine is first to pnll out the choke and press the starter for a brief period without turning on the ignition. This forces raw petrol into the cylinders. Then turn on the switch, step on the starter, and push in the choke. If the battery, spark plugs, and breaker points are in proper shape this should make starting easy.

Never race the engine when driving in low gear. This practice is one that is quite common but injurious to the engine. In low gear the engine turns over much faster than it does in second or high gear. When driving in low gear one should make allowance for the lower ratio of the gears. In case the car might slip off the jack when changing a tyre, put blocks fore and aft against the 1 wheels that remain on the ground. Painful injury has often resulted in the (Jar catching the depairer. Never have the hand brake only half set. There is aflways a danger of seeing the car coast away, or' driving along without remembering to release it. Apply brakes moderately for all service stops. This will help save tyres,' brake linings, and strain on the entire chassis. Keep the rear-view mirror adjusted so" as to give as wide a view to the right as possible. Never trust to signs and signals at grade crossings, unless there is a watchman present, and look carefully even then. Never leave the car parked where thieves can work on locks unobserved by passers-by. Bents in the mudguard may have an unfavourable psychological influence on the policeman with whom you become involved in an argument over some alleged traffic violation. He may get. the impression that you are habitually a careless driver. On the other hand if your car shows no evidence of previous bumps or collisions, the influence may be in your favour. /■ "• If your petrol is'running low•,and you need it all to reach the next filling station, drive plowly with as lean a mixture as possible and. feed the engine smoothly. Jerky acceleration and sudden changes in speed waste petrol. It may even be wise to set the hand throttle for smoothness. ' . On the way to tennis or-golf remember that the extra -wide soles of your shoes may cause you to press the accelerator when you are reaching for the brake. f Some cars take a' corrugated Toad better at one speed and others at another. Find out the speed at which your car gives the least discomfort on rippled surfaces. JO**? e , water in Vonr radiator «S/i t v DBCrew the ca P ™tH it has subsided. You may be badly scalded if you open the radiator too soon.