MOTORS AND MOTORING

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 75, 21 December 1917, Page 9

MOTORS AND MOTORING

IBv Ci,nToH,] Care of the Car. "Tho trouble with, tho average motorcar owner," says an American expert, "is that ho fails to realise that the automobile is a i)ieco of very fine machinery,, that it will render service in proportion to the attention it receives, and that it is not human and will not cry out when it is abused. The car owner should remember that ■ washing the body does not clean the motor; thut tightening the nuts ami bolts easily reached does not make those undbr the car any. tighter; that oil placed in the motor does not mean that one can neglect the clutch, transmission, or rear axle. Wo recommend certain things which every .factory endorses because ive have found from experience that they will bring tho best results. Do not make changes or improvements without firet consulting tho dealer from whom you have bought the car, for there may be strong objections to these changes of which, you are not aware. Remember that the standard factory maintains- engineering and experimental departments, and is in a better position to know what is proper to use or not to use. in connection with its cars than ie the average mechanic, who is npt to try to induce an owner to change, some part of the design or instal some new device. When it becomes necessary, through accident, neglect, or abuse, or other cause, to make a one should seek tbo advice and services of the dealer from whom he has bought the car. This dealer has the interest of the car at heart more than any other person in the trade. But, if distance makes the dealer unavailable, it is cheaper in the end.to employ the best meohanio in the vicinity. If the motor-car owner will religiously observe these rules and give his automobile conscientious care, it will be ea-sy for him to get long and satisfactory service." Valve Troubles. : If your engine is losing .power, look to the oondition of the valves. , If the engine back fires they open too early. ' If tho engine, is sluggish and overheats they open too lat.3. After repeated grinding valvos become lowered in their eeats and the clearance botween the lower end of the stems and tappets must bo adjusted accordingly. Too much clearance will make the valves noisy arid open too late, and there will he no snappy action to the engine. ■' ■ To pick out the noisy valves make a tool out of brass, feathering one end. With engine'running.slip the tool between the valve stem end and tappet, adjusting 6crew, and if the noise ceases obviously that, valve has too much clearance. ...

A Costly practice. ■'■...■- The rasping and banging of gears that one hears on occasion must bo a great : source of comfort to the repair man, if he is within earshot. Such driving usually results in. the car being eventually hbused in the repair shop for new gears,' universal joints, or something similar.-.-The man who is gifted with tho.art of precise driving can shift gear ■without a sound, save that arising somotimes from the gearshift lever striking tho -.gate. ■_ This man knows 'at just what speed his engine should run and just tho correct amount, of time he must wait before he makes his shifts. ■ Most of us are in too big a hurry to .shift j we do not givo the clutch shaft sufficient lime to slowdown, and the losult is that the gears olash or in some instances cannot be changed at all. ■•-'- -■ ; Here and there, . '; : When brakes do not -hold .• it is usually because, the surface of tho bands have become hard and smooth. Clean them with a thin brush and kerosene, linse off with petrol, and permit them to dry. Then spread on lubricating oil, being sure every spot will be covered. Tjiis will raise the fibre, soften the material, and the brakes will bo effective, This should bo ;done at night, for it .will be dangerous' to attempt using the car until the oil has had a chance to do its work. '' Whpn the jaws of a wrench start 'to show sigus of wear, it is a very simple matter to have them rehardened. Any-blacksmith, can case-harden the jaws in a. few minutes, at an altogether, negligible expense. ... Stop—when in doubt—at railroad crossings, behind street.cars taking on or discharging passengers. Better to cause a delay than an accident. Do not forget that those parts of the enginß which become hot in normal operation must be adjusted when they are hot. The valvo tappets, for example, should not be adjusted when cold, because the clearances will not be correct after the motal has expanded. -■■ When the rear wheels are iii a muddy spot do not try to drive tlte car out by spinning them. The slower the Wheels turn' tho better the chance, of gripping the surface. If the, car can be rocked by alternately engaging and 'disengaging the clutch, it will be iound that tho pendulum action of the car will-carry it out of almost any bad spot. Never look down lit the pedals _ or gear lever; it may result m serious mishap. ■ Carry an extra oil can on your trip, and have it empty, ready to bo filled with -whatever is necessary—petrol for priming the cylinders or cleaning spark plugs, neatsfoot oil for the clutch, kerosene to clean dirt out of corners, oil in case tho other can is lost, lou will be moro than repaid by having it ■ with you. , ~: Don't try to change from high gear to low without letting the car nearly S Lighting-up iime: To-day, 7.21 p.m.; next Friday, 7.26 v- m -