WOMAN AND HER CAR

Ladies' Mirror, Volume 2, Issue 10, 1 April 1924, Page 48

WOMAN AND HER CAR

When Caught in the Mud 7HEN caught in mud or sand holes, either when alone or when under * V tow, do not stop until the wheels are felt to be slipping. When they begin to slip the car will sink deeper, or, if it is the tow car, the same will happen, and in either ease it may be impossible for the tow car to get traction again. At the first intimation of a troublesome road bed, and if possible before coming- to it, shift into first gear and drive on slowly but continuously, without touching the clutch. The change in gears will provide as much power as the car can afford, and the odds are that it will pull through successfully. Any attempt to dash through sand or deep mud at a high rate of speed, however, will increase the trouble, and the rapidly spinning wheels will plough holes for themselves which, even though the ear does come through successfully, will make the going just that much harder for the next woman or man who drives along that road. Do Not Slip Your Clutch One of the most heinous crimes which the motorist can commit is to slip her clutch simply because she is too lazy to change gear. This is of little use on hills, chiefly because slipping the clutch actually reduces the torque or "twisting motion" of the wheels instead of increasing it, as does the change into a lower gear; but in traffic, when running slowly, or when turning the car round in a narrow space, slipping the clutch does, of course, result in a reduction in speed but with many clutches this means that the frictional surfaces are literally being burnt, so that there comes a time when the clutch either becomes appallingly harsh or else slips continuously, so that considerable difficulty is experienced not only in getting away from a standstill, but in getting along at all, while even a slight acclivity may well bring the vehicle to a standstill with roaring engine. Defective Brakes It is commonly known that defective brakes are the cause of many motor accidents, and in densely motorised New York inspection of brakes by special police has thrown a searchlight on the condition of the brakes on many cars. Inspection of motor ear brakes is proving to be the most important factor in the effort to reduce automobile accidents, according to Barron

Collier, Special Deputy Commissioner in charge of the Bureau of Safety. The bureau has just closed its first year's work, and during the last twelve months 73,635 motor vehicles on the city streets have been inspected. Of this number 10,517 had one defective brake, and the drivers were required to report back with the defective brakes fixed for reinspection. In 2,239 cases both brakes were defective, and the drivers were fined, the penalty usually being 25d01. Life of a Car Two years ago figures were published tending to show that the average life of automobiles was about five and a-third years. A compilation just completed in America shows the life of the cars that were manufactured from the fall of 1911 to the fall of 1915 to be about six and three-quarter years. The statistics on which this result was predicated may be regarded as fairly accurate. The increase in average age is attributed to the fact that there have been no striking developments in body design or important changes in mechanical features since 1912, with the result that there is a smaller tendency to retire a car before it has worn out. Other causes are: The improvement of roads, the multiplication of repair shops, the introduction of the flat-rate system of car repairing, and the general education of automobile drivers. ' o o o The motorist should take care never to use petrol or other quick-drying cleansing agents for cleaning the fabric of the hood, as their use destroys its waterproof qualities. The best plan is to use soap and water, and scrub vigorously with a fairly stiff brush. If possible, lift the hood from the car when giving it its spring cleaning.