Your 503 Fiat Its Care and Maintenance

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 242, 3 January 1928, Page 6

Your 503 Fiat Its Care and Maintenance

A SUN special -feature to assist the owner-driver to obtain the maximum results in performance by the proper care and treatment of his car .

The sump of a new 503 should be drained and refilled with fresh oil after the car has completed 500 miles, and thereafter at regular intervals of 1000 miles. Before removing the sump plug it is advisable to run the engine for about 15 minutes, in order thoroughly to warm the oil. Kerosene should never be used for flushing, as a proportion is certain to be retained, which will contaminate the fresh oil. Care should be taken when replacing the sump plug to ascertain that the washer is in good condition, and that the plug is properly tightened with the special spanner supplied for this purpose. The sump capacity is seven pints. The owner is advised, when refilling, to examine the dial indicator on righthand side of engine, to avoid over-fill-mThe oil filter, which is screwed into crank-case on right-hand side, should be removed, dismantled and cleaned each time the engine oil is changed. The gear-box and back axle should be examined every 500 miles, and if necessary the oil replenished through the filler plugs which also act as oil level indicators. Do not over-fill. The level is correct if maintained to within a quarter of an inch of the top of filler when plug is removed. A good quality gear oil is recommended. Do not use grease or semi-solid oils. The inner cover of the gear-box must not he removed, as this is designed to position the selector shafts, plungers, etc., and if dismantled by inexperienced persons, the plungers and springs may be dropped into the gear-box. A multiple disc type clutch is fitted an fi KovrtnH onr.n«iionallv armroximate-

Iv every 5000 miles —syringing about a fluid ounce of a mixtre of half kerosene and half light engine oil between the plates, requires little attention. The plates may be separated by depressing the pedal. Always remove the plug from bottom of clutch chamber when this operation is being carried out, to allow any surplus oil to escape. The clutch withdrawal thrust is lubricated by applying a few drops of engine oil every 500 miles.

Shackle bolts, steering ball joints, etc., are fitted with nipples to take a high pressure grease gun, and should receive attention every 200 miles. Generator, starting motor and magneto require four or five drops of oil every 500 miles. . The level of the electrolite in the battery should be kept about a quarter of an inch above the plates. Before replacing vent caps, see that the airholes are clear. Battery terniinals should be kept tight, and an application of vaseline will ensure that these are clean and in good condition. Inspect the battery once a week. Considerable damage is done to the casings by running with tyres underinflated. A reliable tyre gauge is a necessity, and must be used to check the pressures at least once a week. The recommended pressures are:— Tourer —Front 281 b, rear 301 b. Single-seater —Front 261 b, rear 281 b. Never run with the hand on the oil level indicator registering below the half-full mark. In order to allow the oil to become warmed and circulate freely, let the engine run for five minutes before the car is taken on the road