SHORT CIRCUITS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 146, 12 February 1932, Page 7

SHORT CIRCUITS

Parking the Car. Skill in the art of parking is. absolutely necessary in these days of restrieted parking areas, where every inch counts. A driver also needs to be a good reverser, especially when parking between two cars where a space only slightly more than a car's length is available. It is advisable under such circumstances to steer as close as possible level with the forward car, then, on a sharp left-hand lock^ reverse until you. are two-thirds into position. Swing the steering wheel smartly to the opposite loek and complete the manoeuvre. This will bring you parallel with the kerb. In wide thoroughfares it is easier, both in parking and moving out, to place the car on an angle to the kerb. On all occasions it is necessary to park so that traffic will not be impeded. "What's in a Name." Apart from a wealth of material which is of particular interest to its members, The Riley Record, the official organ of the Riley Motor Club, the largest "one-car" club in the world, always contains a great deal of material which will intrigue all motorists. In a recent issue of this monthly magazine, there was an article" on "Inn Signs," which contains several facts that are not commonly known. "It's quite extraordinary how some of the names (of inns) have changed in the course of centuries. "Bag of Nails" was "Baechanals," "Pig and Whistle" comes from "Peg and WaSsail" (from drinking health in tankards marked with pegs), and the "Stewpohy" from Estepona, a place in Spain where the owner's wife hailed from. Then we have "Dewdrop Inn" from "Do Drop In," and "Goat and Compasses" from "God encompasseth us."

Private Garages. The thoughtful motorist provides many items of equipment in the home garage in order to save himself vexatious delays when the need arises for a new spark plug, a spare bulb or an inner tube, etc. Lockers to contain spares, polishes, etc., should be installed, and also a strong bench where many odd jobs of a simple nature may he carried out. Among the stores should be spare tyres, tubes, light bulbs, spark plugs, together with washing, cleaning, and polishing equipment, such as chamois leather, good quality sponges, and a wire brush for the underneath parts of fenders and chassis. Other useful articles that should be in every home garage are — a reliable hydrometer for battery testing, a thickness gauge for* checking the gaps of spark plugs, contact-breaker and tappet elearances, and a spark plug ignition tester. Radiator Shutters. Many modern cars are fitted with radiator shutters, the opening of which is controlled automatically by means of a thermostat. This is a valuable refinement, but some attention is needed occasionally by the shutters. When the radiator thermometer is in the "high normal" position the shutters should be fully open. Failure to ojpen fully will cause overheating, and is usually the result of the shutters • working stiffly, owing to rust having formed in the hinge pins. These should be treated with 'penetrating oil. Trouble with the thermostat itself is very rare, and if luhrication does not make the shutters operate normally, an adjustment of the length of the control rod is probably all that is required. Corrdsion. It is Often found that through corrosion battery terminals are in bad condition and diffieult to remove. Boiling water poured over them will free them, however, in a few seconds, 'and they can be easily unscrewed. On replaeing, clean the terminals and coat them with' vaseline; this will prevent further attacks of the acid. Plates Covered. Neglect to top up the battery with distilled water at least once every two weeks results in the tops of the plates becoming destroyed, and thus reducing the capacity of the battery. The remainder of the plates also will suffer to & certain extent owing to the greater acid strength of the remaining solution.