MOTORS AND MOTORING

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 133, 22 February 1918, Page 9

MOTORS AND MOTORING

IBx Cldtoh.l

Care of Brakes. ''Great care should ho taken inadjusting' brakes," says an American expert. . "It is first essential to investigate whether or not the pressure or resistance is equal on both wheels. In fact, both wheels should be jacked up at the time of adjustment so that they may bo tried by hand. In this Way the driver nifty determine if, when ftppliodjtliere' is"firm braking_ power delivered to the drums. It is also necessary to determine when the brakes arc off if they arc perfectly free and do not drag. In caring for the brakes, bo sure and.see to it that the service foot or outside contracting brakes are kept'clean, and free' from grit or grease. Washing the brake drums and bands with petrol will cut the grease or oil and will leave a cHan, dry surface. One tip that should be heeded by all motorists is that of applying tlie brakes. Do not slam the brake pedal down as far as it will go; rather ..apply it gradually. This not only saves the brake proper, but preserves, tyre and tho life of the oar. When effecting a stop, close the throttle and coast until the speed has been materially checked. Then apply the brakes."

Repairs and Adjustments. It is not real economy to neglect to have reas6iiable repairs and adjustments made upon a car simply to save repair shop bills. Some cars, of course, require much loss attention than others, but the motorist should 'bear in mind that when his valves need grinding it is economy to have them ground without delay, for leaking valves mean so much petrol going to waste. When a carburettor is adjusted either to give too thin or too rich a mixture, money is wasted. If the mixture is too rich too much gas k being burned; if too thin, causing irregular firing, the gas boing burned is not permitted to develop the host effiiency. It is estimated by experts that there is a waste from leaking carburettors alone of more than 30,000 gallons of petrol a day in the United Slates. Poodly adjusted carburettors waste 240,000 gallons." Filling Crease Cups. There are as many ways of filling grease cups as there are motor-car owners. One is to take the cup and scrape it .along through the grease, trusting to chance to get enough in it to give the proper lubricating qualities. This is not the best method. To begin with, in filling grease cups, tho first, thing to do is lo wipe off all dirt that may he present before removing the cups from tho car; this is to prevent grit getting into the grease, which it will do otherwise. For filling the cups an old table knife makes an admirable instrument and saves one getting into a mess. It is a good idea to take off the cups singly, iiil each, and return to its place befon removing the next. In this way there will be no danger of their getting mixed, and the screw threads ruined by forcing them on when they do n,-.t exactly fit. Here and There. Tho best drivers give pedestrians, animals and other vehicles as much clearance as possible.

In some cars looseness of the engine bolts, those holding the motor in plnce, may cause misalignment of the engine and serious trouble may result. If thero is even slight looseness of the holts it may permit tho motor support to'hammer and pound and in time tho supporting arm may actuully break. Don't back without lirst looking behind you.

Don't spill or expose petrol !o air. It evaporates rapidly and is dangeroas. Cleanliness is a virtue in the lubrication of a. motor-car. One should drain out the old and dirty contents of a transmission, universal joint or rear axlo_ before replenishing it with fresh lubricants.

When replacing cylinder and crnnkcaso plugs, in fact any plugs about an engine, care must be taken to get these in. position tightly, otherwise a great deal of harm might be done. Running in ruts-wears the sidewalls of-the tyres, causing them tohlow out in a comparatively short time. Tho sidewalls are only about half as thick as the tread, and consequently, givos way much sooner. '

Liglitine-up times—To-day, 6.47 p.m., next' Friday 6.36 p.m.

Petrol Saver.—The Speedier Vaporiser, which can ho fitted to any motor-car or motor-cycl?, snvinc on«-fourtli to onetbirrt of'ii4rol. enn lie, pnrchvvd from Rotort Miller, Main Street, Greytown.Advt. ■■