MOTOR WRINKLES.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 147, 26 August 1926, Page 7

MOTOR WRINKLES.

Lights Burning.—Because a dark j car IS an invitation to thieves it is j wise to leave the parking lights on | when visiting or attending the theatre at night. Apply Castor Oil.—When automo- | biles are stored or otherwise idle for ' j considerable periods, engine corroI sion can be prevented in a measure * by an application of castor oil. Switch Can Fire Car.—lt is possible to set fire to a car with the ignition switch. If the switch is turned on j directly after being turned off, and I before the engine comes to a dead I stop, a backfire is likely to occur. ( As Substitute.—Leather can be } used to make a temporary repair on a burned-out bearing where it is impossible to obtain a new one or a garage is not equipped to make the repair. t Grease Pump.—Occasionally a mot- • orist will help out with the greasing process at the public garage or the filling station by operating the big grease pump while the mechanic is under the car. Don’t Polish Cap.—The cap on the gasolene tank should not be polished. A motorist who includes it in his polishing programme may find that some day his car will not start until a mechanic has cleaned out the polish which has collected in the pinhol® air vent of the cap, showing that there are some things about a car that are better off unpolished. Shortening Skid. For motorists who still drive troublesome brakes of the two-wheel variety it is well to test the brakes every day to see which of the two rear wheels is the more inclined to lock and slide. In the event of a sudden stop on a slippery street it is best to steer a little away from the side with the sliding wheel.

Soaking in vinegar is an excellent method for facilitating the removal of tight nuts which will nqt yield to the more usual paraffin treatment. Vinegar should be applied to the nuts and left to soak in for about half an hour, after which the application of a long spanner will probably have the desired effect.

Mudguards which are weak through bad design or misuse often break where they join the running boards. A mudguard in this state can be repaired with a piece of sheet iron, bending it so that it extends about four inches beneath the running board and the same distance under the mudguard. Four or five small holes should be drilled in the three parts, i.e., running board, murguard and sheet iron, and the whole bolted together. A coat of paint completes the repair. Many car owners fail to make headway when lining up the front wheels because they 'fail to true up the wheels and tyres separately. The front wheels may toe to the proper amount, but the rims may not run true, thus throwing the tyres out of line. This can be determined by revolving the wheels separately and noting how true they turn. Any variation may be due to the wheels being too loose on the axles or to the rims being screwed to the wheels unevenly.

Trouble Reduced by Clean Engine.— Keeping an engine clean is one of the simplest ways of keeping it from breeding a lot of unnecessary trouble, prudent motorists have found- A trip around the vital parts of the power plant’s mechanism is bound to show up anything that is in fair way to give trouble. It reveals the loose spark plug connections, the ignition

wires that are wearing down to a short circuit, the oil leaks and the rest of the troubles that are warning of real breakdowns. It is difficult to tell which of six cylinders is pumping a little oil when the top of the engine is caked with grease and dirt, but it is

quite a simple matter when the top is kept clean. A little oil will collect around the spark plug of the particular cylinder. Also, if the plugs are kept clean it is comparatively simple to note the ones that show evidence of oil pumping. Use Fresh Grease. An active grease cup is that one that is frequently filled with fresh grease. If this is overlooked the passages become caked and hardened, preventing the passage of fresh grease to the surface needing it. All wear is caused either by misalignment or friction. As a matter of fact, it is also friction which causes wear through the first mentioned. A much-neglected part of the mechanism is the differential. How often is the worn - out lubricant drained out ? Lubricants wear out and lose all their value as such. The differential has heavy work to do and should be carefully guarded by the use of good lubricants, applied after the worn-out grease or oil is removed. Wet Wind Shield. —A wet wind shield is dangerous, especially at night when light from approaching cars is magnified by rain drops, blind-

ing the driver. If your car is not equipped with an automatic wind shield wiper apply a solution to the glass to clear the vision. One that has proved satisfactory contains a mixture of two ounces of glycerine and one ounce of water and one dram of salt. Apply with a soft cloth, rubbing up and down. With Less Air.—Non-skid tyres that are worn smooth in the centre of the tread will give additional service if run with less air, thus allowing the projections to bear on the road. Care should be taken to have sufficient air to keep the tyre from creeping on the rim or straining the side walls. Many motorists have had the unpleasant experience of being out on the road when suddenly something went wrong under the bonnet of the ear. In such a case the driver is saved the trouble of profanity if he knows that his headlights may be turned around to light up the entire engine space. But how many know it? Not all headlights are so constructed that they may be turned around, but there are many which are, and yours may be one of them.