New-York tribune., 1909-01-17
COST OF OWNING CAR
MUCH DEPENDS ON MN
WHO RUNS 1T
Proper Care Reduces Charg,, >.
Point That Puts Machine IN
Reach of Mann.

When the prospective purchaser o. =,
mobile calls on a dealer OF the frs. -
tions he asks is. How much IL Il goin7 +-' 80
me to keep this car in repair?" Natura,~- 1'
dealer quotes a small figure, but he .r,,,ss-a s'
adds that he can give only an approxin,a,. -,
mate, for as much depends upon the drtva---
the care ne gives the car as upon the o,a,t.-1
the material IN the machine itself Aft.. =,
automobile Is purchased the owner mu.,
vide for certain amount OF depreciation
the case in every kind Of machinery. Nm. -
proper care this item IS far less than MIR, :.
expected when all conditions are taken tpto- -
sideration.
An automobile is much like horse IN an.
specific finer the animal the more a.,,..,--
and grooming he needs. BY attention 4. -.
meant that high priced car viii reoutna -
expenditures for repairs than lower ,r,...
one. but rather that to keep the former IN - a.,
highest standard OF efficiency II must be t-.o..,
more like a watch with Swiss novennsr, a..
a dollar tinepiece
There several parts OF an autonob,1a G.,
which the wear and tear are greater thsn e
others. One Of the first items OF expense IN a.,
to tire troubles. A driver may go a year with
out having 10 replace his tires while IN ~.
other hand his first trip may prove disastrou, n
one or more tires. II is utterly impossibls N
forecast the cost OF maintaining the tires or
manufacturer guarantees his tires for five thon
sand miles. IN fact. every company quotes IN
Vulnerable statistics to show what its tires bav.
done under all manner OF trying conditions
But, no matter what is said, tire trouble IL one
OF the first items OF expense.
Another part Of the machine where defactv
often show themselves IL in the gears Til.
gears may be the finest that can be uroduce5
but sudden strain will often ruin them. Dust
and dirt and lack OF attention will cause gears
to wear out long before they should In the cas-.
Of shaft driven car. many a dollar has been
wasted because the motorist has neglected the
hub clutches. Especial watchfulness should bs
kept on the brakes. where the wear is ALWAYS
considerable. The state OF the friction faces
should be noted. and when unduIy worn re-
placements should be made. II no other part OF
the car Is thoroughly examined. this certainly
should be. for the efficiency Of the brakes
often depends the lives OF the passengers. Thisis
also true OF the steering gear to an even greater
extent. The brakes may fail and danger stiH
De sverted. but II the steering gear gives out the
driver Is almost sure to be the victim OF an ac-
cident
Despite the most painstaking precaution en-
the part OF the manufacturer TO lock every nut
on the car before II leaves the factory, thersvH
be occasions when one or more is missed. and
then the motorist VIII find his machine out ct
commission in some out-of-way place unlsss Ia
has been thoughtful enough to carry a liberal
provision of these small essentials Their cost
is small. but the lack OF them is exceedingly
trying
Then there Is the danger OF running tas car
without the proper amount Of fuel. and cense-
quent injury 10 the engine Every dealer VIII
tell you OF a dozen and things which
liable to go out Of commission on some other
car than the one he Is trying to sell you. but
when you get back to the starting point It Is
really remarkable how much machine
stand and, with constant attention. how long Il
can be run at a practically negligible cost Of
maintenance.