CAR DEPRECIATION.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 311, 24 October 1929, Page 7

CAR DEPRECIATION.

.1 POINTS TO REMEMBER. This is the season of the year (remarks an exporter) when motorists find time to tinker about with their -cars. Here are a few hints worth noting by all who care for their machines.

Before- attempting any task for the first ■ time consult the manufacturer’s hand book on the subject, and -do not forget that the man who made the car knows more about it than r you do. J When dismantling any part provide yourself with a suitable receptacle into which all nuts, bolts and small items may be placed to present loss. Always use the special spanners provided in preference to a moveable spanner, as the latter tends to burr the comers of a nut.

In dismantling any component make a careful mental note of the --- order in which the various parts are taken down, so that no mistake can he made when reassembling. Do not use too much force in

tightening small nuts, or they may he broken. When about to carry out any repairs or adjustments do not forget the proverb “ cleanliness is next to godliness.” Even if you are only going to v change a plug see that there is no accumulation of dust or dead flies ■which could fall into the cylinder when the plug is withdrawn. When a nut or bolt is secured by i a lock nut do not attempt to undo the nut or bolt before loosening the lock nut.

When any adjustment has been made always tighten the lock nut at once in case it should be forgotten. Before decarbonising make sure that a spare gasket is available, also any other spares that conceivably may be needed. Never use a fluffy rag for wiping any internal part of the engine, such as the dipstick, as particles of fluff may be carried into the lubrication System and help to cause a stoppage;. In making any oil tight joint see that all surfaces are spotlessly clean. 4 single speck of grit may negative an hour’s work. Oil is a trap for dust, ,so always Wipe the spout or tap of an oil drum before and after taking a supply of oil from it. If oil be spilled on the floor of the motor house it can best be removed by scattering sawdust on it and giving the sawdust time to soak it up. In the power Station of the Ford Works at Detroit the attendants’ wear White flannels.. Try to keep your garments just as spick and span. Tin cigarette boxes make excellent receptacles for small spares, ! and they should be clearly labelled to avoid confusion. I

j Never run the engine when the garage doors are closed, as the exhaust gas contains much carbon ' monoxide, which is deadly poison. Although not very frequent, occasions do arise when it is necessary to move a car that is too heavy to push and cannot be driven. Assuming that the engine can be turned over, and that the transmission is in order, the,, following • procedure can be adopted: Switch off the ignition, remove the, sparking plugs, engage first gear; and turn the engine over, by means of the starting handle. fis will, of course, have the effect rotating the back wheels and so moving the car, the added leverage obtained through the transmission making it possible for one person to move quite a heavy vehicle. If a screwed part is difficult to undo make sure that it has not a lefthanded thread, as it may have if there is any tendency for it to unscrew automatically with a righthand thread.

Do not attempt to carry out a delicate adjustment if the light is so bad that you cannot see properly.