AIDS TO MOTORING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXII, Issue 2668, 18 December 1928, Page 2

AIDS TO MOTORING.

WORTH-WHILE HINTS,

A VALUABLE LIST. The following list of hints has been compiled for use of motorists in driving and caring for their cars: — Active units that remain in an ungreased state break easily. A slipping clutch is a terrific waster of fuel.

It is said that a leak appears oftener in the valves than in any other place.

When putting away a part for future use, place a tag on it with description. Rancid butter is an effective agent for removing spots from the finish, as are vaseline and kerosene. The rear axle nuts should be tightened occasionally to prevent the wearing away of the key.

By using the proper size wrench on a nut the possibility of stripping the threads is lessened. When side curtains are put away they should be dry and should have paper placed between them to prevent the celluloid becoming scratched.

If the horn will not blow and is in good condition there is a “short” or break in the wiring from horn to ammeter.

When the fan belt on a car is too tight it will cause undue wear of bearings or brushings. No preventive of carbon monoxide poisoning is useful except open air.

Motorists should never work in a closed garage with the engine running. Common laundry soap will stop a leak, in case of emergency, if the gasoline tank or gasoline line should develop a hole or crack. Do not stop your car short without giving warning. The motorist behind you is not a thought reader. The generator charging rate should be adjusted when electrical accessories such as windshield wiper, or spotlights are added to the equipment of the car.

An engine idling in a closed garage of ten feet by ten feet by twenty feet will change the air to the point of fatality in three minutes. Speed burns up tyres. Rubber will give more miles of service when the car is driven at a moderate speed. Quick starting and stopping is also harmful to tyres, and to mechanism as well.

Occasional oiling of hinges and latches will prevent doors from becoming stiff and rattly. Keeping latches oiled not only makes them work easier but prevents their rapid wear. The most useful article for making temporary repairs on the car while on the road is iron wire, common baling wire. Make a coil round a broom handle, slip the wire off, and it is in convenient shape to carry in the tool box.

An over-heated engine is caused by a leaky radiator, lack of water in the cooling system, faulty or dirty circulating system, driving long distances in first or second speed, poor operation of fan, advanced spark, or the need of oil.

Sticky valves can be overcome temporarily by running kerosene through the carburetter when the engine is hot, and putting about one pint of cylinder oil in the vacuum tank. Many accidents occur because of failure to use the emergency brakes when the foot brakes are not sufficient to make an emergency stop. Exhaust and gasket leaks usually can be discovered by blowing tobacco smoke around the part suspected.