MOTORING NOTES

Waipa Post, Volume 52, Issue 3705, 10 January 1936, Page 2

MOTORING NOTES

MINIMISING COSTS OF UPKEEP. NEGLECT THAT OFTEN PROVES EXPENSIVE. Modern cars, irrespective of make and almost without exception, are so dependable that motorists who are embarrassed by heavy repair bills while the vehicle is only a few years old often have only themselves to blame for unexpected expenses. There are, it appears, three principal causes of such disappointments; neglect of maintenance, procrastination of repairs, and, less frequently, inexpert workmanship. Among the greatest mistakes which can be made are those of driving the car fast while it is still new and delaying the examination and correction of minor faults. If the owner studies the instructions book, and carries out the duties which it imposes on him with reasonable thoroughness, he will prolong the life of his machine and avoid the high cost of cumulative wear and tear. A new car should be treated with great consideration; not as a mere matter of form, but for the cogent reason that its span of useful life will be greatly influenced by the manner in which it is driven and lubricated during the first 1000 to 1500 miles. Experts are almost unanimous concerning the benefit of an auxiliary engine lubricant. Some favour colloidal graphite mixed with the oil, others prefer upper cylinder lubricants, which are blended with the petrol; but the aim in both cases is the same —namely, to give the fullest protection to the frictional parts during the time that they are acquiring a perfect working finish. Much harm can be done by overloading a new engine. It should be driven discreetly, and no attempt shoud be made to obtain its maximum output. Formerly the advice was that speed should be restricted to 25 or 30 miles an hour; but a more practical method of safeguarding a “tight” .engine is never to drive at more than half-throttle, and to change promptly into a lower gear as soon as there is the least sign of the engine’s labouring. It is unwise to be niggardly in respect of oil. ,