MAKING MOTORS MIND

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18832, 21 March 1931, Page 11 (Supplement)

MAKING MOTORS MIND

HINTS FOR MOTORISTS. By Mr W. B. Franklin. Service Manager, General Motors New Zealand j Limited. Distilled water Should be added to the battery at such intervals as will I ensure the plates covered at all times, j Usually, the water should be added once a week in summer and twice j monthly in winter. To prevent corrosion of battery terminals and connections apply a coating of vaseline jelly over the battery posts and strap terminals, making sure that connections are properly tightened. If corrosion occurs, clean posts and terminals with a strong soda solution before applying vaseline jelly. See that the filled plugs are tight and the top of the battery is kept dry. An occasional inspection should be made of the ground strap connection between the battery and the frame of transmission as looseness in this connection is a frequent cause of burning out of head lamp bulbs. A battery in good condition should register an hydrometer reading of not less than 1.250 in climates where freezing of water occurs, or 1.180 in climates where this does not occur. If the reading falls below 1.250 and 1.180 in such climates , it indicates complete discharge and the battery should be taken to a battery station for charge. It is not necessary to add acid to the battery. Except in cases of broken jar or deterioration of the sealing compound, loss of acid does not occur. It is inadvisable for car owners to experiment with socalled quick electrolytes for the purpose of keeping the battery fully charged. The front wheels of the automobile are set so that they do not stand exactly parallel, the purpose of such design being to provide easy handling of the car. The wheels have “toe-in” or are closer at the front than at the rear and also “camber” or are closer at the bottom than at the top. The king bolts are also set at an angle, inclined to the rear from a perpendicular nd this is called the “castor angle.” The wheels are set correctly at the factory but the alignment should be checked occasionlly and in the event of collision or accident, the car should be taken to a service station for proper alignment and adjustment of the wheels. Driving with the foot continuously on the clutch is commonly described as “riding the clutch.” This practice will result in excessive wear of the clutch plate facings and a slipping clutch, as well as a noisy bearing. Periodical lubrication of the steering gear and its connection is essential for in addition to minimising wear, such attention will make for easy steering. The car should be cleaned at reasonable intervals and while possible in some cases to clean with a dry cloth, it is usually best to wash the finish if the car is very dirty, particularly if grit or small sand particles may be present in the dirt. All chromium and nickel-plated parts of the car should be kept clean and free from dirt or foreign matter and for cleaning the chromium plated parts at least nothing but clear water and a clean rag should be used. Dirt contining black soot, clay, iron oxide, or calcium chloride, if allowed to remain on the plated surfaces, may cause tarnishing and even corrosion. HORN SOUNDING. When a motor cyclist witness at an inquest in West Kirby, Cheshire, remarked in reply to a question by the West Cheshire coroner: “I always blow my horn at cross roads; it must have been force of habit,” the coroner retorted. “It is a very bad habit.” Addressing the jury, the coroner said that if a driver saw a person in the road and there w r as a clear way, it was advisable to leave the people alone and not sound the horn to arrest their attention. The sounding of the horn was a statuory requirement, but it was a gross and very grave mistake to sound it on all occasions. In the present case the horn was sounded and deceased immediately stepped back into the oncoming motor cycle. A verdict of accidental death was returned, no blame being attachable to the driver. When greasing or graphiting the springs, it is much easier to get the lubricnt between the leaves of the springs by putting the jack under the end of the spring horn or shackle or Jacking up the car in such a way as to take the weight of the car off the springs. Even in case a spring leaf spreader is used, it w”l be much easier to use the spreader effectively if this is done.