Look After Your Car

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 91, 8 July 1927, Page 20 (Supplement)

Look After Your Car

Tips For the Owner-Driver “Stick in Time Saves Nine” THE majority of those who own motor-ears in these present times are persons of moderate means, and must therefore undertake themselves the maintenance of their cars. In recent years manufacturers have done so much to simplify design that motorists lacking any deep knowledge of mechanics may, without special skill for heavy labour, take sufficient care of their cars to maintain their reliability and to get out of them satisfactory road service. But because the popular types of motor-ears are more or less fool-proof, it does not follow that they are also neglect-proof.

GOOD t ar, it is true, will continue to run for months, and even for years, without proper attention, but, neglected, it will soon lose its efficiency and will depreciate rapidly in performance and in value, says an Australian authority. Thus, the owner-driver who wishes to get full value for the money expended on the initial purchase must give time and attention to the care of his car. DURING THE FIRST WEEKS In the first few weeks of ownership of a new and relatively inexpensive

:ar, a higher proportion of time must >e spent in maintenance duties than vill be necessary in later days. Prices lave now reached so low a level that >w save the most expensive cars in ;ach class are given extended road :ests by the manufacturers, and the

purchaser is expected to carry out the dreary work of “running in” himself. On delivery, all parts of the car are stiff, and, in a degree, rough. Therefore, for the first 400 or 500 miles the speed should be kept down to 20 miles an hour on top gear and to proportionately lesser rates on the lower gears. It is a painful test of human patience, but if it is endured the reward will be great. At the end of this period the crank case should be emptied, washed out with, and refilled with, fresh oil. The lubricant in the gear-box and differential casing (whether oil or grease) should be replaced, also after a cleansing with light engine oil. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTION BOOK The instruction book which most makers issue with the car should be carefully studied, and a regular maintenance routine should be laid down on a daily and mileage basis. Each day on which the car is taken out the driver should make certain that, the radiator is filled with water and that the oil level in the crank case has not fallen below .the safety mark. After every 500 miles on the road, all lubrication nipples on the car should have oil or grease pumped into them with the lubricating gwn, which is now in general use with all cars. The steering gear should not be forgotten merely because it is out of sight. At rarer intervals the magneto should be given two or three drops of oil in the holes provided for the purpose. The wheels are often forgotten until on some emergency one has to be removed, and the accumulated rust of ages has acquired the tenacity of

cement. Therefore, it is wise to clean and grease the wheels at intervals. Each time the car is taken out for more than a short run the owner, if he be wise, will go round the car with a spanner testing the tightness of all nuts not secured by split pins. Thus, may many rattles be discovered and ended. Every five or six weeks, valve tappet clearances should be tested and the necessary adjustments made. The sparking plugs should also be cleaned and the gaps adjusted if, as is probable, they are too wide. No regular period can safely be laid down for the removal of carbon deposit from the piston heads and for the grinding of valves. The engine will itself give some indication that cleaning is neces-

sary. There will be a tendency to knock when climbing hills or when accelerating. CHECKING FUEL CONSUMPTION The carburettor should need little attention beyond periodic cleaning, and, in general, the maker’s adjustments should not be altered unless the consumption of fuel becomes extravagant. It is presumed that the owner will keep a record of the daily mileage and of the number of gallons of petrol and oil used. This done, a simple. calculation at the end of each month will provide a check on the rate of fuel consumption. If the figure falls much below that given by the

maker, it may be necessary to make adjustments, but dirt is often the principal cause of waste. LOOK TO TYRE PRESSURE If balloon tyres are fitted to the car the greatest care should be taken to maintain the correct pressures. The pressure in each tyre should be tested with a gauge before each run, and the deficiency, if any, made good. After a run the tyres should be examined so that any pieces of flint, nails, etc., adhering to. them may be removed before they do material damage. With careful driving and proper attention the tyres now fitted to small cars should last for 10,000 miles at least.

The body of the car should be cleaned as soon after a drive as it is possible, and preferably with running water. Neither kerosene nor petrol should be used, though in many garages there is no such self-denying ordinance. The use of either will destroy the varnish. No attempt should be made to remove dust or mud with a dry cloth or brush if the owner has any dislike for scratched paintwork. The celluloid panels* of the side curtains can be cleansed with ordinary metal polish, which will restore their transparency and remove the disfiguring yellow tint which comes with age.