Car Depreciation

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 734, 6 August 1929, Page 6

Car Depreciation

How Neglect Helps THIS is the season of the year when motorists find time to tinker about with the car. Here are a few hints worth noting by all who care for their machines.

Before attempting any task for tlie first time consult the manufacturer’s handbook on the subject, and do not forget that the man who made the car knows more about it than you do. When dismantling any part, provide yourself with a suitable receptacle into which all nuts, bolts and small items may be placed to prevent loss. Always use the special spanners provided in preference to a moveable spanner,«as the latter tends to burr the corners 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 be made reassembling. Do not use too much force in tightening small bolts and nuts, or they may be 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 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a plug see that there is no accumulation of dust or dead flies which could fall into the cylinder when the plug is withdrawn.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 a lock-nut do not attempt to undo it 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.

DANGEROUS DRIVERS WHERE COURTESY LACKS Lack of courtesy by motorists who act toward their fellows in go-to-heil manner is one of the worst features of motoring in Auckland, and the position has developed to the stage when some corrective will have to be applied. A city doctor called on “Headlight” to complain about the discourtesy so common on the roads today. His complaint was against the road hog, who drives along the middle of the road, scorns following traffic, and refuses to pull over to Ihe left so that following traffic may pass in safety. Such road hogs cause overtaking vehicles to use the wrong side of the road, with the risk of collision with oncoming . vehicles. The very motorists whiS complain bitterly because they are compelled to travel and stop behind tramcars exercise the tramway principle on their fellows on the road's of the city. Slow-moving traffic should keep strictly to the left, a rule which could be impressed on many drivers in the city if a motor inspector drew alongside them and said his piece in no uncertain terms. All motor-cars are supposed to be equipped with serviceable rear-view mirrors. Those mirrors are for use, not ornament. It is not realised by thousands of motorists that they have a duty not only to the traffic in front, but to the traffic which is following. Not every car has a mirror arid it is time the national regulation was strictly enforced. There are many motorists who drive closed cars with ' every window shut, so that they have no chance of hearing the warning of an overtaking car. Such motorists should have the sense and courtesy to keep an eye open for the following car. Of course, the simple procedure of driving safely by keeping well to the left obviates worrying about The other fellow. But how many keep to the left when driving slowly? On Saturday down the Great South

A 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 garage just as spick and span. Tin cigarette boxes make excellant receptacles for small spares, and they should be clearly labelled to avoid confusion. 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. This will, of course, have the effect of 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 left-hand thread, as it may have if there is any tendency for it to unscrew automatically with a right-hand thread. Do not attempt to carry out a delicate adjustment if the light is so bad that you cannot see properly.

Roacl a motorist tooted loudly and often behind a brightly-coloured saloon car with hood to match the body paintwork. It was driven by a woman. The car was well over the middle of the road, and the following motorist took the risk of passing the car on its left. It was a risk, but the action stimulated the driver of the other car into a quick return to the strictly left-hand side of the road. Keep to the left, listen for warning blasts from following cars, and use the rear-view mirror if you have one. NEW MORRIS CAR SPECIAL OVERSEAS MODEL “The only way to capture the overseas markets on a large scale,” said Sir William Morris, the car manufacturer, at a dinner at the Holborn Restaurant, “is to build a suitable car.” “We have built the car which will do it and, gentlemen, there it is!” The curtains hanging at the end of the banquet hall slid apart, revealing a car, the existence of which had been successfully kept a secret from everybody, except a select few at the Morris w r orks. The occasion w r as a dinner Sir William Morris gave to 100 motor dealers. Parts of the car had been brought from the works secretly, taken to the hall and assembled there. Known as the “Isis,” the new car is a 20 li.p. machine, developing 50 h.p. It is a six-cylinder machine and has hydraulic brakes and visors. There is ample clearance, but the i low-slung appearance, characteristic of the Morris cars, has been maintained. It has a 10ft wheel base with a 4ft Sin track, overhead valves, highplaced carburettor and ignition, for | fording rivers, special springing for ! rough country. | Its all-steel body is integral with ' the chassis. i Only the saloon 4to 5-seater car is | at present being built. ! It is understood the price is £3OO.