WORTH KNOWING

Southland Times, Issue 19291, 9 July 1924, Page 8

WORTH KNOWING

TYRE PRESSURE AND A LOAD Many motorists fail to appreciate the significance of tyre pressure with regard to the comfortable suspension of the car, and as often as not harsh suspension is put down entirely to the springs, no thought being given to the tyre pressure. Thus, if tyres be inflated without the use of a tyre gauge, it is more than probable that the pressure will be much higher than that recommended by the makers by the time the operation is finished, and, although this may be quite satisfactory in the case of a full-loaded car, in the case of a four-seater with the driver riding solo the suspension becomes almost painful on rough roads. As a general rule the effect of tyre pressures is more noticeable in the back than in the front of a car, apart from the question of easy steering, and the driver who is out for maximum comfort will find that it is by no means an impracticable plan to vary the tyre pressure at the rear to suit the load when circumstances warrant it. During the holiday season the vehicle is usually loaded to its fullest capacity, not only with passengers but with luggage as welL To stand up to this hard work correct tyre pressures are essential, and, as already indicated the owner will probably err on the high side. In most cases the family is in the enviable position of being able to stop longer at their holiday rendezvous than paterfamilias, who will have to undertake, maybe, a fairly long return journey alone. Before starting he should most certainly remove the valve caps and permit air to escape until the pressure is between 81b. and 101 b. lower. This will have a marked effect on the comfort of the journey, and it is by no means a difficult matter to raise the pressure once more if it be desired to carry a bigger load.

Incidentally, to exercise tyre valves is good practice, and minimises trouble which may accrue from perished components. In proof of which it may be stated that the owner who is frequently having trouble by reason of punctures and who, therefore, has frequently to use the tyre pump, seldom has any valve trouble. If owner-drivers realised this they would, perhaps, make a greater point of exercising their valves. SUPPLYING DRY GAS. To give one a slight idea of how really dry gas is supplied to the engine the inventor poured a quantity of petrol into the air intake of the carburettor. He then placed over the exit a tumbler, and on blowing through the air intake the glass was filled with gas, not the slightest suspicion of wet fuel being present. Thests made on these lines in Great Britain not only in a considerably increased mileage per gallon, but more rapid acceleration and greater power. PRIVATE OWNER’S GARAGE DOING ONE’S OWN WORK An important source of revenue to the garage owner is what is called "car maintenance.” In brief, this means the care of the car in sickness and in health for the owner-driver who is too busy—or, too lazy —to attend to it himself. Everyone is not a born engineer, but men who have no interest at all in things mechanical are few and far between. The gentler sex, on the other hand, often display a charming but regretable lack of intelligence so far as the “inards” of their cars are concerned. This is to a great extent a pose, ©nee the average woman has really had her laterest awayutispdygptaota really had her interest awakened she becomes as apt a pupil as any man. It is amazing how much money can be saved in a year by an owner-driver who cares for the car himself. Even the most reliable car needs washing and greasing at intervals, while it runs the better for a little adjustment now and again. Think how many pounds can be saved yearly by washing the car oneself instead of paying the garage hand several shillings a time for doing it. Thitik of the odd sums charged up every month for greasing such parts as the spring shackles and steering heads. There are quite a number of other tasks which the owner-driver can perform in half a day, and thus save considerable expense, while gaining in experience. It is when one does one’s own work that one realises how much the manner in which one drives influences the wear and tear of the car. One acquires at the same time an intimate knowledge of the principal components of the chassis, and such knowedge invariably results in its receiving better treatment, besides adding greatly to the .nterestinterest of driving. Given decent treatment on the road, the average modern motor car calls for very .ittle attention. Proper use of the clutch, areful gear-changing, sensible use of the .rakes, and consideration for the steering nd springing systems inevitably reduce inning expenses, while a little knowledge diciously applied will often effect an .onomy in fuel cr oil consumption. The external appearance of the car also ■serves consideration, as on it depends its icond-hand value quite as much as on its icchanical condition. Care in washing and wishing, careful "touching up” here and nere when necessary, will enable the keen wner to derive a twofold benefit—he will save the money previously spent on having .he car washed, and he will lose less cn he resale than he would if the car were latched and shabby. The garage, being the home of the car, f . dcuianus attention. Lt is obviously red to keep the vehicle on the premises or at any rate near one’s house—wher.er possible. Failing a building of brick r stone, quite a number of reliable timber .•.rages may be purchased all ready for section. There should to enough room ; walk comfortably round the car, while a bench equipped with a vyce should be placed against the end or one of the side walls. So many of us, however, are town dwellers, and must, perforce, keep our cars in public garages. Where a private lock-up is not available, an arrangement should be made with the manager to avoid as far as possible all unnecessary pushing about of the vehicle, for the average garage hand is fond of dragging cars abcut by the side lamp brackets or radiator cap. Large public garages often object to owners doing their own work on the premises, so it is obviously more economical for the home of the car to be a separate lock-up; be it never so humble. Even if the proprietor permits a reasonable amount of "tuning” to be done in the public garage, everything has to be carefully cleaned up and put away before leaving—which is irksome, to say the least of it. One, therefore, has some sympathy with the man who loads his car with tools and makes for some quiet country spot, a woodlands glade, or a leafy lane, perhaps—where he spends his Sunday decarbonising and valve-grinding. Carrying out the necessary adjustments outside one’s town is apt to attract an irritating crowd, and so is obviously impracticable.