"NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE”

Evening Star, Issue 22461, 5 October 1936, Page 13

"NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE”

Some of us expect too much from our cars; we are prone to think that they should always give us that “ armchair comfort ” upon which the salesman laid great stress when he demonstrated what a fine model we had the privilege to buv, and how on all roads it was a delight to drive it, to laugh at ruts and “ V ” gutters, and never to feel tired at the end of a run. He did not lie; but it was not his duty to impress upon the “ prospect ” that the car was in the prime of its youth and that if its future owner allowed it to go hang for months or years ho could not expect such smooth travel. It is astonishing that so many motorists are content to say, “ The springing has become a bit rough, and the steering is on the hard side,” without bothering to ask why those should be and how they can be set right. Body rattles,, engine tuning, and speed don’t come into this picture; one can tolerate a groan or a squeak, but not an aching back, tired arms or a bad jolting. The springs, shock absorbers, and tyres have the heaviest job to do, and they cannot carry on indefinitely without attention. Every leaf of the spring has its own task, and it must not be restrained by rust whicli binds it unwillingly to its fellows. Paint tho springs with penetrating oil, or, better still, prise the leaves apart and grease them, and then see that all bolts and clips are tightened.