CARE OF THE CAR

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 209, 23 August 1930, Page 15

CARE OF THE CAR

POINTS TO WATCH. Once the correct inflation pressure of a type has been ascertained, this should be strictly maintained and a Schrader gauge applied to the tyre valves at least once a week. The old theory that the air pressure in a tyre can be judged by merely looking at the tyre and pressing it may still prevail with some motorists, but this is a fallacy which can easily be proved by comparison tests against the actual pressures recorded by a gauge. The only accurate and safe method is to use a good gauge. Nearly 90 pqr cent, of premature tyre failures are due to incorrect inflation. There are five possible explanations for the failure of current to reach the coil. They are: A loose connexion, which is most common; a broken wire, defective switch, dead battery, or a door ground connexion. It’s no joke trying to unscrew a tight radiator cap, especially if it happens to be hot. Make the job easier by putting a few drops of oil on its threads, and, while you’re at it, try the same treatment on the petrol tank cap Do not check the crankcase oil gauge when first starting the car after extended idleness. The oil. when not being circulated by the splash or pump systems, will drain to the crankcase and give an inaccurate measurement. Run the car a few minutes before checking. A large amount of the “hum” or “growl” which develops in the transmission and the differential is due to the worn bearings, as when the bearings become worn, not only

will they permit the gears to become a little too far apart, but they will allow a certain amount of side play of the shaft. For car owners having two extra wheels and tyres, set in front mudguard wells, it is economical to change the wheels and tyres in the wells with those on the rear wheels after about 5001) miles. The tyres when not used have a tendency to dry out and will crack unless they get some sort of moisture. In addition, if you change the tyres in cold weather, you will get better traction from newer threads.

Distributor point cleaning is a task that many owners like to reserve to themselves. In doing so, some of them make li mistake that often makes necessary the early purchase of a new set of points. Instead of being content to removed the raised places on the tungsten, they try to eliminate the pits. This is unnecessary and wasteful of the point material. The depressions make no difference in the efficiency of the units. The raised spots do.

One of the best processes to test the accuracy of the petrol system of a car is first to drain the vacuum tank and ran the. engine until it stops. This will be assurance that all petrol is removed from the carburetter float-chamber. With the main tank disconnected, put one quart of petrol in the vacuum tank and not carefully the mileage on a

test run. Repeat this with three more quarts and total the results for miles per gallon figure. Tho cause for low mileage might be poor compression. a retarded spark, or dragging brakes.