MOTORING.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 12075, 14 October 1933, Page 11

MOTORING.

OVERHAUL OF THE CAR SOME PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS. NEED TO START AFRESH Even m the world of everyday business man v valuable lesson.? are learned from an observation of nature. One of these object lessons—though perhaps it is not followed --o often in business as it is in domestic’ households —has given rise to the “spring clean” idea. Nature believes in casting off the old, drab garb of .winter and starting afresh when a new season comes round. Motorists would be wise to follow this lead. Winter does have a distressing effect on their cars, as a rule. Paintwork suffers; slush and mud have collected and hardened on the chassis : parts have probably rattled loose and need adjusting: and the engine, gradually, almost imperceptibly perhaps, has become sluggish. There is a very definite cause for this last-mentioned effect, because cold weather and humid atmosphere are hard on the engine. The main reason for this i= that the lubricant —the life blood of the c-ngine —become? impaired much sooner in the winter chain in the summer. Unvaporised petrol m the cold engine “dilutes” the oil and breaks it down, the moisture in the air condenses and contaminates it. : 'sludging’-’ effects are accentuated. The lubrication or the chassis and other parts similarly suffers, through water and grit working into the bearingsThis is the logical time of the year, therefore, for motorists to have their cars looked to, so that they might start the new season right. A rattle-free car is a much pleasanter thing to drive in than one that complains every time it goes over a bump! An engine rejuvenated with a fresh sump-full of the correct grade of oil puts one more in tune with the brighter countryside, than one that is sluggish and reluctant. Besides—it pays! Such attentions make reasonably sure of a trouble free motoring season ahead. Recently, the Vacuum Oil Company Pty.. Ltd.. has produced a series of attractive material to assist the service-station trade to get this idea over to the motoring public. This has been issued in connection with their Mobi-lubrication plan, which is. in brief, a system of lubricating every morning x )ar t of the car with specially developed lubricants "in the right wav and at the right time. ' This is an inexpensive service and one we are sure that will appeal to motorists who want efficiency and economy- from their c-aiy during the season now starting. DO NOT WASTE OIL -Many garages are now equipped with high pressure greasing .systems which force large quantities of grease through the nipples. This is quite satisfactory for shackle bolts, steering connections, and such like partsGreat care should, however, be taken when lubricating either front or back hubs, a- ,an excess of grease will find its way on to the brake linings and either destroy or partially destroy the frictional properties of the- material. The fan is another component .which needs sufficient lubricant to keep the bearings full; any excess thrown out by centrifugal force, and in these days of rubber driving belts, has a decidedly damaging effect on the rubber in addition to making the engine and inside of the bonnet in a quite unnecessary mess. It is also possible to overload the inside of the distributor, and completely spoil tlie efficient workings of this instrument-.

Dynamos and starter motors require very little attention, and in many instances no provision is made for either oil or grease to be inserted. As the machines are packed with suitable grease when assembled this is sufficient after which it is advisable. for the machines to be taken apart, cleaned and the bearings replaced with suitable lubricant. A further point which is often overlubricated is tlie clutch. Some cars have provision for oil to he applied to the clutch thrust race. A few drops are quite sufficient as any excess will be distributed on~ to the clutch linings, and: break down the frictional resistances o,f this plate, causing the clutch to “slip” and often “spin” in addition. Therefore, oil and grease should be applied regularly, but in moderation.* Too much may often cause as much trouble as too little*