WAYSIDE TROUBLES

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 May 1935, Page 8

WAYSIDE TROUBLES

Most wayside motoring troubles are trivial, and can be prevented by a little forethought; yet such an aphorism is not much consolation to the driver who, on a wet night, must alight and risk his evening clothes while wrestling with a punctured tyre or an obstinate ignition circuit. An excellent plan is to supplement the outfit supplied with the car by a few items such as a “magneto” file, wire pliers, friction tape, and spare lamp bulbs. Furthermore, bear in mind that fumbling in the dark does not make for a good and quick repair or wheel change, so that unless a spotlight with an extension cord is provided, a small electric torch should always be carried in one of the side pcckets. If a set of overalls and a pair of gardening gloves are also placed With the tool kit many embarrassing demands for soap and water or a clothes brush can be saved. Wheel or tyre changing is at best an unpleasant task, but its unpleasantness will be softened if the lifting jack and tyre pump are kept in good order, and a few chocks of wood are carried n°i t,ier ° nee d be no fumbling and fiddling when a puncture must be attended to. Similarly, the careful owner will keep a wary eye on the condition of his tyres, and note if any casing is slowly losing its inflation because oi a pin prick puncture, leaking valve or ponis inner tube. Do not omit to drain and clean all filters in the petrol line periodically; i emember that the high tension leads of the ignition coil and spark plugs become perished, and their insulation suffers after prolonged use. and that in the fulness of time the spark plugs must bo renewed or at least cleaned and adjusted. Likewise, the battery and the contact breaker points must not be forgotten. Keep the battery

well charged, and “topped-up,” and its terminals clean and, say, every month, look to tho breaker points of the distributor, which may need to be readjusted or “dressed.” These are tasks which any amateur can undertake, and their carrying out may save him much loss of time and temper.