CAR REPAIRS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27568, 9 December 1950, Page 10

CAR REPAIRS

Increasing Demand

APPOINTMENTS NECESSARY Motorists who w;sh to avoid the risk of being stranded on the roadside this Christmas by having their cars checked over before leaving will need to make early arrangements. The volume of work being handled by the trade at present is so heavy that most of the city garages are now taking only those cars which have been booked in some days prior to the actual repair job. Proprietors told the Daily Times yesterday that this month is one of the busiest ever experienced by the trade, and that in fairness to their customers the “appointments” system was the only practical way of coping with it. In almost every concern there is a grave shortage of both skilled and unskilled staff, and mechanics are coming back at least two nights a week to complete major overhauls such as rebores and the grinding of crankshafts.

The staff of one garage which specialises in rebores has been doing overtime for the past two months, yet the demand is such that no more work is being accepted this year. All types of vehicles are being put into the garages and, though no accurate estimate can be made at this stage, it appears that the 1937-40 cars are the models which are being given the most attention. Most- of the earlier models have already had a major overhaul, and few of the post-war engines need any more than pre-trip maintenance. There will also be a proportion of brand new cars on the road during the holiday period, as a firm handling a popular make of English car is at present making final preparations for delivery before Christmas. Unfortunately, however, these will be the exception rather than the rule, and a great deal of caution will be necessary if accidents are to be avoided. In many cases defective mechanism rather than bad driving causes mishaps, and no owner should tax his vehicle beyond its capacity.

Drivers who “ hug ” the white line, however, are also a source of danger, and the warning of a specialist in break-downs should be. of interest to them. “ I have seen too many accidents caused through this type of driving in my lifetime,” he said, “ and there is only one answer—keep to the left.”

The same member of the trade also had a word of advice for motorists who will be towing caravans behind their cars. If they wanted to avoid having to call for the break-down truck, they would need to realise the capacity of their vehicles, he said, especially when Mount Cargill and the Kilmog had to be negotiated.