THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MATTER

Evening Star, Issue 22069, 1 July 1935, Page 13

THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MATTER

SECRETS OF MORE PLEASANT MOTORING There is, if I remember rightly, an old Scots saying to the effect that “ mony a mickle maks a muckle,” which may be taken to mean almost anything you like, according to your views at the time of reading. For my part, however, 1 always prefer to translate-this proverb as; “it is the little things that matter.” Not only is this translation a superb piece of English prose, but it is also a truism. It is the “ little things ” in life that matter, and, if one has a broad view, it is attention to the minor matters that will bring one’s to fruition. This, however (state “ P.T V ” in the Light Gar ’), is no place .for semiphilosophical reasoning; I would rather be sternly practical and apply my ancient Scots saw to a very modern aspect of life—motoring. From my own experience, there is pot much fault tp be found with the modern car from the point of view of maintenance, but, even so, there are points to which a little attention is well worth while.

- I know that I shall be holding myself open to the satirical laughter of many people by suggesting that it is advisable to check the air pressure in the spare tyre occasionally, but if the suggestion ‘helps anyone to avoid the annoyance of a flat spare, I am content. For, you see, I myself suffered in this way recently. Not only was my “ spare ” soft, but some evil-minded mechaqic had stolen the valve cap and dust cover. Also, I was clad in festive garb, it was raining, and I was already late for the party! Let us, however, turn our backs on such a dismal picture. The completeness of the tool roll of the car is a matter that should never

be neglected. It may not be very im- , portant now, when you can slip round itp your local garage for odd jobs, but even a modern car has been known to break down in the middle of nowhere.

In such cases it is the invariable rule that the only spanner that will fit a must-be-removed nut is not in its ac- • customed place in the tool box nor can it be found in any other part of the car. Fuses can be the cause of much irritation and, in certain circumstances, even of danger. Make sure always that there is ah adequate supply of spare fuses on the car so that blown units can be replaced without trouble. Incidentally, you should also be certain ■ where tne fuses controlling the. various electrical circuits are situated. If there is more satirical laughter at this, it leaves me unmoved; it is a surprising thine hpw many motorists do not know this little piece of information. X do not need to dilate on such obvious things as spare lamp bulbs, particularly for the tail lamp. Here is a tip tnat may prove , new to some people; in many cases, the bulbs from the facia-board lights will be found to be suitable also for the tail light—which fact, I may add, has on two occasions helped me out of a very nasty predicament. . Another “ little thing ” that I have found very useful is always to carry in ' the car a clean duster and a damp leather for the purpose of cleaning the inside and outside of the windscreen. An oil-silk tobacco pouch or a rubber sponge bag form good carriers for the leather. Several pieces of rag for use when anything wants attention on the mechanical side should also form part of your equipment. Few things are more annoying than to have oily bands and nothing with which to clean them except a handkerchief. ' In this connection, have you ever thought of cleaning the front and tail lamp glasses at the same time as you wipe the windscreen?. If you haven’t, vou will be surprised at the difference it makes to the amount of light emitted. The number plates also should receive attention, as an ob-

scared plate can be the cause of a visit to the police court. Sometimes very useful hints can be picked up by watching competitors preparing their cars for a trial. For instance, it is. sometimes easier in the case of cars with outswept tails to put the jack under the rear axle from the side of the car rather than from the back, when you want to change a rear wheel. It might not be so easy to see where the jack is lifting, but once you get used to it it saves a lot of crawling on the ground. In some instances, one can even operate the jack by passing the handle _ between the spokes of the wheel which is being removed These ideas can often be adopted with advantage.