MOTORS AND MOTORING

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 92, 11 January 1918, Page 9

MOTORS AND MOTORING

Here and There

lih , CIiUTOH.I

Care of Brakes, Brake bands have a certaiu limit of usefulness. As Soon, as the wheels do not slide together when tlie pedal is depressed, the band should be examined. In many cases - tho wear may he compensated for by adjustment of tho rodSj but sometimes the band has worn so much on one side_that it makes only partial contact .with the drum. Should tho bands fnil to hold because of oil or'grease on the face, a kerosene bath will restqro tfeo grip. After driving in the rain : it will be found that tho brake bauds are- covered with dirt, some of which will soon make its way under the band and cub the drum. A timely and thorough cleaning will prevent this trouble. . .' .

A Cleaning Tip. When the car is being, washed particular care sfhould he taken to prevent any water getting into the. spare tyre casing. Not all extra tyres aro carried without • protection, of any kind. When the car is in motion it whips tho dust about the rear end and a certain amount, is deposited, within the casing. Even if the spare, tyre is carried on the ruumng hoard a liberal quantity of dust gets .into it. When the car is washed, if water also wets inside the casing, it forms a mud which hardens, and when ,the inner tube is put in. later the tube .chares. Preventing Rust. When metal parts are to be exposed to the air any length of time, precaution should be taken to prevent tfie formation of rust. It is customwy to give such parts a coating of grease or oil. but'there is.a.sujrenor'method.to this The parts are covered with cup. grease over which is wrapped fabric, made by pasting absorbent paper on a background of burlap. This coverin" lias the quality of-absorbing-mow-, ture, which latter causes tho formation ■ of rust.' . ... Cleaning the Exhaust. The wise'owner will'each| year clean the exhaust- system thoroughly. This cleansing should include ■ the exhomst manifold, (pipe, ' and silencer.. The latter should be taken apai't ami the parts- soaked in kerosene over viight. The pipe and manifold may be cleansed by drawing through a pacfe of korc-sonc-soaked waste attached' to a long wire.

Unequally '.adjusted rear wheel brakes are a potent cause of skidding and it is wise to make frequent tests of the parts [or incorrect adjustment. It is necessary to have some one with you to watch the wheels. Drive the car along a dry road, <■ accelerate qmcklv and then suddenly apply the brakes. If one wheel slides while the other is revolving, it may be taken.for. granted that the brakes are not holding with equal effectiveness. More than 166,000 gallons oj petrol are used every day by 101,374 passenger cars and trucks operated m Aow York City. ■ , ~ , Don't drive at top speed the. greater paTt of the time-; or, if you d«>, dont expect as much mileago from your tyres as you would otherwise obtain. Clean off carbon with a cloth. dipped in petrol, or a brush may be used. Touch tip tho points of plug with braery cloth, but do not touch emery to glazed or porcelain, as it scratches and makes it soot up all the more readily. A , cracked core must be replaced. . , The sediment trap in the potrdl tank should be drained periodically. .Cms trap catches water and solid matter that may be in the petrol. If the trap should become full of foreign matter the excess will travel along to the carburettor, and the result will-be trouble in plentiful measure. Whenever it becomes necessary to examine the interior of the motor, for any cause whatever, the car -owner should' make it a point to clean tho oil-holes at the lower end of the connecting rods. These holes are peculiarly Jikely to become clogged, >n which case the bearing is starved for its vital lubricant. When lighting fuses blow out one after the other, it does not pay toikeep replacing them; it is something more than coincidence.. Try to find out the cause and the first place to look is in the cutout. If this portion of the lighting system is of the type that has points which may become stuck, it is. very -likely to cause continued fusel breakage. ' If oil and. grease, drip_ out of "ear-.' case or differential housing tho bolt&. must be set up more tightly, as it" is: an expensive job to replace all- th&, caskets. If tightening the bolts does not stop the leak, then use a heavier;; grease, one which will not thin out so,i much in hot weather. _ Lichting-up time to-day. '■"' V m -' Next Friday, 7.24 p.m.