THE OPEN ROAD

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21531, 19 December 1939, Page 6

THE OPEN ROAD

Holiday Preparations Points To Remember Thoughts have long since turned to the holidays, and those who have planned a camping holiday have been busy completing their arrangements. In spite of the fact that there is a war on. and the price of petrol has gone up, there is every indication that the volume of traffic on the roads will be as heavy as in previous years. There are many things the motorist must attend to if he is desirous of having a trouble-free holiday. No matter what mileage the car has done since the last oil change, it would be as w’eil to drain the sump and fill it with fresh lubricant, to carry the car over the holiday running without further worry. The oil drained off may be kept in a clean tin to be used after the holidays. While the hands are still dirty, the grease points on the springs and steering should be run over with the gun. Check the spare tyre and tube, and pack an evtra tube in an odd corner. Fill the battery with distilled water, and take a little more in a bottle, as it is not always easily obtained out in the country, and long runs cause i greater evaporation in the battery. Run the water out of the radiator, and after flushing it with a hose and some ’ washing soda, refill with fresh water. Packing Problems ! If they have not been looked at for a time, there are two other items j which should be checked, and then it I might be said the car is ready for any--1 thing. The first is the plugs and igniI tion. which should be cleaned and set to the proper adjustment. The carburetter may also need attention, to remove any deposit of sediment, and ensure the best obtainable consumption figures under all conditions. Packing the holiday luggage is the next problem. Everyone has his own method of going about this task, and it is surprising how few make any study of conserving space. Where there is no trailer of caravan, it is desirable that the load should be neither bulky nor too heavy. Essentials only should be taken, packed tightly, so that the first needed articles are the most ready to hand, with a few items right on top to cover a roadside meal. With a trailer the question of weight need not be so carefully considered, as • it may be distributed, and not placed ; entirely on the car's springs, which may ' already carry a normal load in the j passengers alone. Therefore, as much ■ as possible should be transferred to the trailer, and if anything there should ' be more weight forward of the axle to ; place an extra strain on the tow bar. i The same applies to a caravan. If a j car has to pull either, it is advisable I to check the brake linings, because stiff hills or stupid drivers may be encountered. Mast of the packing can be done during the week, so that a prompt shut may be made as soon as the holidays arrive. There are a few accessories which will be found particularly useful, and which are sometimes thoughtlessly overlooked. The first things to be remembered include an electric torch, a good can-opener, a length of electric flex for a camp light, a small medical i kit containing iodine, ointment, bandages, pins and scissors. .Appropriate Clothing j Rugs and old coats will be worth ! their weight in gold if chilly nights are i experienced in camp. No matter what | the weather is like when the holiday 1 begins, essential clothes for all weaI tliers should be taken away. A tar- ' paulin or a sheet of heavy canvas will be useful as a dust cover for the j luggage while travelling, as a water- ■ proof floor for the tent and as a shade • for picnic runs. I Finally, it is w r ell to remember that | a little consideration for others will go I a long way toward making the roads ! safer and more pleasant to travel upon ! during the holidays, when traffic will jbe particularly dense. Start early in the day to avoid being one of the jost- : ling, thrusting crowd, and probably be- ! coming impatient and nervous in conI sequence. Keep a look-out for cars ! wishing to overtake, and signal them t on. | And. finally, don’t forget that wari rant of fitness. See that it is in order, I for a lot of trouble may be saved.