CARE OF THE CAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20740, 6 December 1930, Page 12 (Supplement)

CARE OF THE CAR.

HINTS ON MAINTENANCE. COOLING AND LUBRICATION. There is untold satisfaction for an owner in the knowledge that his car is sound mechanically looks well and runs well, and has no weakness which may make itself suddenly apparent, but too many ownerdrivers are prone to neglect the mechanism of their cars as long as they continue to give satisfaction. A periodic inspection of the engine, chassis and accessories will often reveal some defect which, if given immediate attention, can be easily remedied, but on the other hand, consistent neglect may result in a serious fault developing when it is least expected. Owner-drivers will find valuable information in the following article, one of a series which will appear from time to time in this column.

Changes in seasons impose different duties on various parts of the car which call for periodic adjustments. Vibration causes looseness. Dirt leads to diminished efficiency. If the car were inspected at least every three months and cleaned and adjusted as inspection revealed necessary, the owner rarely would know such a thing as sluggish acceleration, uneven operation, lack of power on hills or poor petrol and oil economy. Effective Cooling.

Most water used in motor-car cooling systems carries & small amount of lime and other substances in solution, and sometimes it carries small quantities of silt or solid matter in suspension. When this mineral or silt-bearing water is heated and circulated through the cooling system, it leaves deposits of sludge or a coating of scale in the cylinder jackets and water passages of the radiator. Also, a certain amount of iron rust is formed in the water jackets and joins with the other impurities in the water or it may accumulate in the jackets and radiator. To ensure cooling effectiveness, the system should be drained every month and flushed with clear water. In the spring it should be cleaned with a suitable scale and sediment-removing compound. Ordinary washing soda dissolved in water will loosen the sediment and scale. The engine may be run with the radiator covered and radiator cap on tight so the circulating water and chemical is circulated at a boiling temperature for a few minutes. Then remove the drain cocks or hose connections to permit the water to drain rapidly. Unless the hose connections are in very good condition, it is advisable to replace them after the operations. The Lubrication System. An engine, to operate efficiently, must have an occasional change of oil. If the lubricating value of the oil is diminished there is undue wear of all engine parts which may lead to serious damage. Oil becomes practically worthless if an excessive amount of petrol has mixed with the lubricant, so as to make it very thin, or if water has caused it to emulsify. Also if dust, metal particles, pieces of carbon or other hard and abrasive material have polluted the oil in; considerable quantities, its further use will cause very rapid wear of engine parts. In order to obtain the full benefits of the oil filter, owners should have it renewed every 10,000 miles. The oil filter keeps the oil clean, which means longer life and smoother performance. After about 10,000 miles the filter becomes filled with dirt, carbon and other foreign matter taken from the oil. By renewing the filtering element the filter is made as good as new. Ensuring Proper Oarburetion. When & car has been idle for several weeks, it is advisable to drain the float chamber of the carburetter in order to get rid of any sediment or water before starting the engine. A small piece of dirt or a few drops of water in the carburetter will cause tho motor to misfire or fail to start. If the petrol-tank cap is lost, it is not advisable to go for long with a rag or piece of cork plugging up the hole, as this may prevent air from entering the tank and so interfere with the functioning of the petrol system. Also, lint or particles of cork are almost sure to fall in and clog the fuel lines. If a driver wishes to test for a slipping clutch, he should- set the hand-brake and try to run the car. If tho engine stalls immediately the clutch is not slipping; if it races for & moment without moving the car tho clutch is slipping. This_ test should be made very as it involves slipping the clutch, which is injurious if prolonged. PREVENTING BRAKE SQUEAK. It is claimed that brake squeak can bo prevented without loss of braking efficiency by painting the surface of the shoes with a mixture made of a little powdered graphite in petrol. At tho first or second application of the brakes after this treatment they may not be fully effective, but thereafter it is said that their power will, if anything, be increased, while squeaking will completely disappear. A BATTERY HINT, Motorists sometimes find that when their car has been in use for a year or two the battery, while still functioning properly, is inclined to froth, so that the surrounding parts become affected by acid. This can be remedied by inserting in each cell a shaving of ordinary household soap about as big as a sixpence. This has no harmful effect on the cells. It is equally applicable to wireless accumulators.