MOTORING

Hawera Star, Volume L, 10 January 1931, Page 13

MOTORING

THE FIRST CAR

KEEPING DOWN EXPENSES

One of the most common questions ask-d of salesmen by people buying their first ear is running <osts, and it is one of the feiv that, no salesman can answer accurately and conscientiously. -The salesman probably lias ascertained the maintenance costs of many cars which be has sold, but the figure he quotes as an average,may fall far below what this client may achieve, or it may be considerably higher than certain individual and unusually good figures quoted by a rival. In the first case he is likely to make an enemy for his 'firm if he sells the car, and in the second he runs a grave risk of losing the sale.

in one respect running costs have become standardised; in another they can vary more widely than in the days when the first “one-lungers” spluttered along the broad highway. In those days it was possible to buy machines which, by reason of poor design and materials, were foredoomed to constant and expensive trouble, whereas now all cars are capable of a life pi-opor-tional to their cost. Further, there is little difference in upkeep, under similar conditions, in any cars in a given group similar in size and price. The motorist of ]9’3l has, however, many ways at his disposal of wasting money which were unknown to his ancestor.

With the great increase in efficiency which has taken place during the last few years, much more is expected of small power units, and consequently they are over-driven more frequently. In fact, a 10-h.p. car is often required to give as much in the way of performance n.s a 10-h.p. can provide comfortably, and unless it is very good, and consequently expensive, it will cost more in upkeep. Upkeep costs, as far as engine and other mechanical details are concerned, thus may vary widely, and in the choice of a car one’s methods of driving should be considered to ensure that the chassis has sufficient power and strength to meet requirements without being over-stressed through having to work at its limit most of the time. Driving methods also control fuel consumption to a considerable extent, and the price of petrol makes this an important item. When a car is tuned for maximum economy, performance is reduced, and in this way a double economy is effected, since the car cannot bo driven so hard. Tyres are another big item, and here again a considerable amount of money can be saved by avoidance of fierce acceleration and braking, with reasonable attention to upkeep, especially maintenance of air pressure. Tyres which have had normal treatment can usually be retreaded, provided they are not worn down far enough to damage the cords, and then will give practically double mileage for little extra cost. There is one direction in which the utmost extravagance can be urged as an ultimate economy, and that is lubrication. A complete change of engine oil every 750 miles, with additions to maintain the sump level at least three-quarters full, will ensure minimum repairs and fuel consumption. Similarly, transmission oil should bo changed every 2000-3000 miles, and the whole chassis greased regularly every 5000. ’

Finally, there is the most serious of the fixed charges on a new car, that of the depreciation, which, owing to changes of fashion and other factors, is more a matter of time than of mileage covered. Here one may sacrifice large sums in order to have variety or to keep in the latest fashion, but it is probable that the majority of owners lose by premature purchase of new cars because of misconceptions, about repairs. From £2O to £4O should suffice to put into practically new condition an engine so worn as to he almost incapable of hauling the car, and undoubtedly is worth spending in many cases where the rest of the machine is in reasonable order. A rough approximation of repair costs for a ear receiving reasonable usage should he about £1 per 1090 miles, most of which will be spent on a general overhaul. Once the necessity for a repair of any kind becomes obvious it is no economy to postpone the evil day. A sick animal may recover, hut a defective machine can only become worse, and a neglected minor fault often develops suddenly into a major breakdown.

Even in eases where the engine is pulling badly owing to valves needing grinding one daily wastes a certain amount of fuel, and risks valves becoming ruined through burning, besides being subjected to discomfort. Thus it can be seen that heavy running costs are ..due to si number of triflles rather than to any one large item. It is unreasonable, therefore, to ask the salesman a question to which he cannot possibly give an accurate reply.