NOTES.

Putaruru Press, Volume VIII, Issue 354, 4 September 1930, Page 7

NOTES.

A somewhat common trouble experienced in connection with tyres in winter months is that of rusty rims, particularly where the car is used over muddy roads during a long wet season. The edges of the casing become oftentimes rusted on to the rim of the wheel, and may even be damaged when the tyre is removed. Accordingly all four tyres should be liberally coated with graphite paint. The inner tube also gives better service if it is properly cared for. No grit or dirt must be left inside the casing, since even a small piece of grit will cause considerable abrasion on the soft rubber of the inner tube. Before replacing a tyre the inside of the cover should be carefully brushed out, while it is a good plan also to dust lightly the tube with French chalk. With these precautions the' motorist should be reasonably free from trouble.

The squabs and cushions of cars with cloth upholstery, as is now so general in the case of saloons, soon accumulate a deal of dust and dirt. The proper way to rid them of the dust is to hold them top side down (which can be done by resting one end on the bench) and beat them upwards with a carpet beater. This has the effect of bringing the dust out instead of driving it in, as is so often done when the squabs are beaten from the top. The fabric will show full of dust, and this can best be removed by brushing with a good bristle brush-—still upside down—or drawing out the dust with a vacuum cleaner. The latter apparatus is invaluable for the thorough cleaning of the inside or a cloth-upholstered saloon.

On many cars the windows tend to rattle, particularly , when they are open. A cheap remedy is to purchase

a card of rubber window wedges. If a piece of cord or string is slipped through the hole in the wedge and the other end tied to the door handle, for example, the wedge will always be handy to slip in at the base of the window and thus prevent annoying rattles. There is a certain class of car driver driving a car of large dimensions and horse-power which disdains the baby-car owner. He takes advantage of him at intersections, usurping the right of way, whirls past with a shower of stones, and in general acts as if baby-car drivers did not pay any registration fees or tax and had no rights at all. Such an attitude is not in keeping with the courtesy of the road. Remember that, power for power, the baby car can show as good a performance as the big one, and that, although the car is only of very small dimensions, it still has a right to the road.