THE FIRST 1,000 MILES

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 92, 9 July 1927, Page 23

THE FIRST 1,000 MILES

HOW TO ENSURE LONG CAR LIFE From inquiries that I have been making, in England, it would appear that new motor-cars axe taking the road at the present time at the rate of about 650 a day (says a London writer). How many of these new cars will be treated with the full measure of sympathetic handling which their newness demands? It cannot be too generally known that the performance of most cars can be almost ruined in the first 500 miles, and that even the -best tested” new car will give much better results in the end for careful driving for the first 500 or 1,000 miles. This comment is naturally more applicable to the popular car than to the powerful machine. In the latter case normal speed requirements are within its “comfortable gait.” For the first 500 miles the average car should not exceed SO m.p.h. on top gear—and the same engine speed (or thereabouts) on an indirect drive. If for the second 500 miles you never “exceed 40,” the restraint will be more than amply repaid.

Friends sometimes express surprise at the sound condition and tune of ray cars after* 10,000 miles. I ascribe their excellent mechanical condition to adhering religiously to the practice of this “steady for the first 1,000” wearing process.

Some manufacturers fit baffles to the induction system to ensure such care, and take them out gratis. It is an excellent scheme.