THE OWNER-DRIVER

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 20, 23 July 1927, Page 18

THE OWNER-DRIVER

CARE OF THE CAR EEGULAE ROUTINB ADVISED The majority of motor-car owners are to-day people of quite moderate means, most of whom, either of necessity or by preference, themselves undertake the maintenance of their vehicles. Manufacturers have done much in the way of design to meet the needs of these owners, and every year sees additional progress in the elimination of labour and the need of mechanical knowledge and skill. A great deal of thought has also been devoted to saving the owner the task of messing around with grease and oil, the result Tjei'fig not merely a-saving in the time devoted to attending to the car but a saving in the tailor's bills. The tax. imposed, on the average motorist through destruction' of clothing is one of his most-serious problems; • Without, special skill or heavy labour an.owner can to-day maintain his car in quite satisfactory road condition. It has been made more or less "fool,proof," but for all.this it,does not fol--tow that the machine is neglect'proof. A-. good car .will run for months, and even for years, without proper attention, but,' neglected, it: will soon lose its efficiency and.,will depreciate rapidly in and in value. The ownerdriver who wishes to got full valuo for the money expended 'on his initial' purchase must, give time and attention to the care of his car. THE RUNTTING-IN. In the first few weeks of ownex-ship of .a new and relatively inexpensive ear i" higher proportion of time must be silent in maintenance duties than will be necessary in later days. Prices have now reached so low a level that fow ' save" the most expensive cars are given pxjended road tests by the manufacturers, and. the purchaser is expected to'.^arry out.the work of "running in." himself. On delivery, all parts of the car are stiff and, in a degree, rough. Therefore, for the first 400 or 500 miles the speed . should bo kept down to 20 miles an hour on top gear, and to proportionally ■ lesser rates on the lower gears. It is a test of human /patience, but tho reward was great. At'the end, of this period the base chamber should be emptied, preferably cleansed, and refilled with fresh oil. The lubricant in the goar-box and differential casing, whether oil or grease, should also be changed. It is customary to advise a flushing with paraffin in theso operations, but the utmost care is needssaiy, if this is done, to see that tho paraffin is itself completely drained off, otherwise serious mischief may be. done when the engine is set going again. The instruction book issued with the oar should be carefully studied, and a regular maintenance routine laid down. Each day on which the car is taken out tho driver should make certain that tho radiator is filled with water and .that tho oil level in tho baso chamber shas not fallen below tho safety mark. If the car is one requiring the uso of a!\groaso-gun, or similar system, oil or gro/ise should bo pumped in after eveiy 500 miles on the road. Tho steoring-goar should not bo foi-gotten merely bceauso it-is out of sight. At rarer intervals '!tho magneto should bo givon two or throe drops'of oil in the holes providod'for the purpose. It is wiso, also, to clean and grease tho wheels at intervals. AFTER LONG EUNS. Each time tho car is takon out for moro than a.'short run the owner should go Tound it with a spanner testing tho tightness of all nutß not secured by split piiis. This will eliminate many, rattles, and also ensure safoty. Every five- or six weeks the valvo t ippot ulc irauccs should be tented and tho* necess iry adjustments made. Tho fcpiiking plugs should also bo cleaned and tho g ips adjusted jf, as is probable, they iro too, wide. No regular poriod can bafely bo laid down for tho removal of c irbon deposit from tho piston heads and for tho grinding of valves. Tho eugino will itself give some indication that cleaning is necessary. There will be a tendency to knock whon climbing hills or when accelerating. Tho caibuiottor should need littlo attention bivond periodic cleaning, and, in general, tho maker's adjustmcuts should not bo altered unless the conbumption or fuel becomes extravagant. Jt balloon tires aro fitted the greatest cue should bo takou to maintain correct pub'iuics. Tho pressuro in each tire should be tosted with a gauge befoio each nin, and tho deficiency, if any, inado good. After a run tho tires should be oxaminod, and auy pieces of flint, mils, etc., ■ adhering to tliem removed. . Tho body of tho car should bo cleaned as soon atter a (drive as is possible, and piofcrably with ■.running water. Neithor pai iUm nor potrol should bo used, js both jro destructive to varnish. No it tempt should be in do to remove dust jr^mud with a dry cloth or brush, otherwise scutches aro inevitable. The celluloid piucla of the side curtains may bo ilejnscd with ordinary metal polish, Which will restoro their transparency ami remove the disfiguring ■yellow tint which comes,with age. ' ■ ■