Auto Gossip

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30603, 20 November 1964, Page 11

Auto Gossip

by

A.J.P.

Brake Check The brakes are one of the most important parts of the car as far as safety is concerned, yet it is surprising how often persons will admit they have to pump their brakes to get any marked stopping power. If the brakes have reached this condition, then there is something sadly amiss, and immediate attention is indicated. Similarly if the brakes do not pull the car up evenly, attention is needed. You just cannot take chances with your brakes. They must be perfect. Danger Signs If the brakes are in good condition, there should be no need to pump the pedal, and there should only be about half an inch of free movement in the pedal. The car should pull up in a straight line when the brakes are applied hard at 25 miles an hour on a dry road. Any leakage of fluid from the braking system is a warning of serious trouble, but when topping up the system always make sure to use the specified braking fluid, which must be clean. Never permit grease to collect around the brake fluid reservoir; if it is accidentally allowed to enter the reservoir eventual brake failure can result. Keep an eye on your service station too: to many attendants brake fluid is just brake fluid, and any old brand will do. Try not to mix the brands as some do not go well together. Pass With Care Once again the holiday season and the summer months are approaching, and once again we are seeing more and more dangerous overtaking on our roads. Too many drivers seem to be very poor judges of distance, and they overtake far too close to bends, rises, bridge approaches, and in' the face of oncoming traffic. On

a main road at about 55 m.p.h. you are cutting it fine if you pass within a quater of a mile of an oncoming car, particularly if it is travelling fast. Very often it is a case of “if you can see him, you can not overtake.” This applies particularly at night, when it is very hard to judge distances Keeping Cool A surprising number of cars have been produced without temperature gauges, a serious omission, and now, at the start of the summer, is a good time to fit one. The gauge will generally cost £2 to £3, but it can save you many times this in engine repairs if something goes wrong. If you are in a car with no gauge and the radiator tap opens, for instance, you are unlikely to notice anything wrong until things start to smell very hot, the engine seizes, or the oil pressure drops so low the warning light comes on, by which time the damage is probably done. It is not as uncommon as one might think for unmechanical persons to drive on, not noticing the symptoms of overheating, until serious damage has resulted. And that can mean a £5O repair bill—one that a £3 gauge might have prevented. Austin Price Official prices for the Austin 1800 have now been announced as follows: New Zealand assembled cars (next year) £1175. English-as-sembled cars, £1206, with leather upholstery and heater available for £2O extra each. The first built-up 1800’s will arrive here late this month.

During the first three days; of the Earls Court show £29 million in orders were received for the 1800. Orders for all B.M.C. models were worth about £129 million. Quota of the Week “I am convinced that the traffic hazards of parked vehicles on open roads outside towns are being seriously underestimated.”—J. R. L. Anderson writing in the “Guardian,” Manchester.