CAKE OF BATTERY

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21411, 1 March 1935, Page 8

CAKE OF BATTERY

NEED FOR REGULAR | ATTENTION POINTS TO BE WATCHED The battery is one of the most important components of the modern motor vehicle, especially when coil ignition is employed. Regular attention to it may save much loss of time and, in some cases, large repair bills. Periodically remove the stoppers from all the cells—not just one, and if that is in good condition take it for granted that the remainder is also. This may be done by inserting a piece of glass tube, and when it is touching the plates place the thumb over the top end, thus making it absolutely airtight. The level of the acid above the plates can then be ascertained by the amount in the tube when it is withdrawn. If a tube is not available, one can usually see the plates with an electric lamp or torch, but a match should never be used owing to risk of fire. Distilled water should be added to bring the acid level just above the plates. A small funnel is useful for this purpose, to avoid splashing the water on top of the battery. A glass or earthenware jug having a good spout should be kept solely for this, and should be plainly marked "Distilled Water." Cases have been known where other liquids have been accidentally poured in and have ruined batteries.

The Terminals The terminals should be kept tight and clean, and smeared with vaseline to prevent corrosion. When tightening terminals, support as much as possible the posts to which they are fitted, as these are easily broken and not so easily replaced. If there is the slightest trace of corrosion it should be removed, a little ammonia being useful for this purpose. Battery trays or brackets should be kept clean. An occasional coat of paint will lengthen their service. The battery should be fixed firmly with either holding-down bolts or a cramp. If these are not available, it should be fixed as securely as possible with wooden wedges. A common failure in batteries is for one ceil to become weak and drain the remainder. The remedy is to have the battery opened up and either replated or replaced. Batteries should be placed in the hands of a competent electrician for repairing. It is useless to replate one cell if there is any risk of the others giving out soon after; also it is false economy to replace the positive plates if the negatives are not in good order. Lastly, but very important, it is no good replating a battery if the container is at all faulty. It should be thoroughly tested to see that there is no chance of leaking.

WARMING THE ENGINE METHODS DISCUSSED There is considerable difference of opinion among motorists as to "warming up" an engine when first starting up. Some" motorists start their engines and leave them, running for several minutes before taking the car out on the road. There is something to be said for this practice in cold weather, for a cold engine should not be put immediately under load; but in warm weather it is unnecessary to keep an engine running for any length of tune before driving away. Recent investigations into cylinder and piston wear have revealed that cylinder wear occurs much more rapidly at low temperatures than at a normal running temperature. It may therefore be assumed that prolonged running with an engine "idling" induces cylinder wear. As a general guide as soon as an engine is running evenly after first starting up, the ear can be driven off, although this docs not imply that a high speed should immediately be attempted. In effect, the "warming up" period should be completed on the road, and this period naturally varies according to the season of the year and. the prevailing temperatures. Actually, the ability to drive a vehicle straight away has been enormously improved in recent years because of improved lubrication —not merely improvement in the lubrication system, but improvement in the lubricant itself. Quite light oils are used to-day where a few years ago the lubricant was such that when cold it was very sluggish, the result being that pistons would run dry for a minute or two, before the oil began to reach them. Forced feed with light oils has quite supplanted the old splash and heavy oil type of lubrication that originally prevailed, and even upper cylinder lubrication is now unnecessary and one rarely hears mention of it. There has been a great advance in the metals used in the construction of engines, and bearings are a much closer fit than they used to be. There is no room for a heavy lubricant and such should not be used, even in the height of summer. The lubricant should respond at once to the pressure of the pump, and the modern engine should be able in New

Zealand at any rate, regardless of the season of the year, to take its load practically straight away. The engine should not be raced, but it should be driven sufficiently fast to ensure an abundant oil flow while it is wanning up to its work. MORE PLEASANT DRIVING BEAUTIFYING THE ROADS The January-February number of "Motoring," the official organ of the Automobile Association, Canterbury (Inc.), makes an interesting proposal in an editorial on "Roads—or Boulevards?" The article reads: rt How many motorists travelling the roads of Canterbury have been struck by the depressing vista of mile upon mile of gorse hedges, interspersed occasionally with small plantations of firs? A correspondent, Mr J. F. Poulton, has made a suggestion, the eminent practicability of which makes immediate appeal. Mr Poulton suggests that members of the association should undertake individually the responsibility of planting a certain number of trees on an allotted space on our main highways. The effect in a few years is easily imagined; nor is it difficult to make a mental comparison between the present dull monotony of the roads and their appearance when graced on either side by cool, beckoning trees. Our conception of roadside beauty is due for expansion in several directions, and it is indeed gratifying to note that there is a growing consciousness of this' fact." Of the other articles in "Motoring" two will be especially interesting to motorists who are anticipating a touring holiday. One is called "Adown the Buller," by Malabar, and the other is "In the Far North," by "Wanderer." Mr A. D. Tench writes on sight-seeing in Belgium. "Motoring" is attractively produced ■and is well illustrated throughout.