CAR DEPRECIATION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 17 August 1929, Page 15

CAR DEPRECIATION.

HOW NEGLECT HELPS. This is the season of the year wliiui motorists find time to tinker about with the car. Here are a few hiuts worth noting by all who care for their machines :• —- Before attempting any task for the first time consult the manufacturer's handbook on the subject, and do not forget that the man who made the car knows more about Jt than you do. W lieu dismantling any part, provide younseft with a suitable receptacle into which all nuts, bolts and small items may ue placed to prevent loss. Always use the special spanners provided in preierence to a movable spanner, as the latter tends to burr trie Cornells of a nut.

I JLn dismantling; any component, make a careful mental note of the order in whidh the various part& .are taKen down, so that no mistake can be made 1 eassembling. .Do not use too much force in tightening small 1 Kilts and nuts, or they may be broken. When about to carry out any repairs or

adjustments do not lurget the proverb ‘‘Cleanliness. us next to Uodfliness.”

Jiiveu if you are only going to change a plug see that there as aio accumulation of dust or dead flies which could fall into the cylinder when the plug is withdrawn. \\ hen a nut or bolt is secured Dy a lock-nut do not attempt to undo it before loosening the lock-nut. When any adjustment has been made always tighten the lock-nut at once in case it should be forgotten. Before decarbonising make sore that a spare gasket is available, also any other spares that may conceivably be needed.

Never use a fluffy rag for wiping any internal part of the engine, such as the dipstick, as particlew of fluff may be carried into the lubrication system and help to cause a stoppage. *ln making any oil-tight joint see that all surfaces are spotlessly clean. A single speck of grit may negative an hour’s work.

Oil is a trap for dust, so always wipe the spout or tap of an oil drum before and after taking a supplv of oil from it. If oil be spilled on’ the floor of a motor house it can best be removed by scattering sawdust on it and giving the sawdust time to soak it up.

In the power station of tlie Ford works at Detroit the attendants weal white flannels. Try to keep your garage just as spick and span. Tin cigarette boxes make excellent receptacles for small spares, and they should be clearly labelled to avoid confusion.

Never run the engine when the garage doors are closed, as the exhaust gas contains much carbon monoxide, which is deadly poison. Although not very frequent, occasions do arise when it is necessary to move a car that is too heavy to push and oannot be driven. Assuming that the engine can be turned over, and that the transmission is in order, the following procedure can be adopted: Switch off the ignition, remove the sparking plugs, engage first gear, and turn the engine over by means of the starting handle. This will, of course, have the effect of rotating the back wheels and so moving the car, the added leverage obtained through the transmission making it possible for one person to move quite a heavy vehicle. If a. screwed part is difficult to undo make sure that it has not a left-hand thread, as it may have if there is any tendency for it to unscrew automatically with a right-hand thread. i>o not attempt to carry out a delicate adjustment if the light is so had that you cannot see properly.