The Washington times., 1913-06-21
DIFFICULT TO TELL
( EXPENSES FOR CARS
Beginner Generally Finds His
Use For Machine Expands
in Course of Time.


Tt is and always will be difficult to
give an approximate estimate of what
anothers expenses in motoring are
4 likely to be. since doing so depends on
three important conditions, that is. dis
tance run, the amount and quality of the
attention the car receives. and luck, "
says a motorist who has been touring
for years.
Dealing with the first point, one may
say: 1 only propose to use my car to
take me 10 the golf club and back. and
to visit few friends and relations. l
two or three thousand miles per
annum.'
such may be the beginners inten-
ton, but he soon finds that his wife
uses the car for shopping and that when
friends come to stay they will have
to be sE,wn the surrounding GENTRY
and that the car serves to occupy lot
of spare time. Again, probably, long
runs will be indulged in during week
ends.
with a car ones interests expand
and one explores new country far from
home. with the result that at the end
of year the mileage, particularly OF
the beginner, Is widely different from
the original estimate. But an impor-
tant point is that motoring will proba-
bly, be found to have taken the place
Of a number of other somewhat expen-
sive hobbies.
Will Supplant Trains.
Furthermore, the car will supplant
, trains to a considerable extent and a.
though the cost per mile of the running
of a car may not compare very favora-
bly, with railroad fares, 1t should be
remembered that the car generally car
ries from two to five passengers. and
that 1t transports from door to door, at
the same time carrying luggage, so that
cab and similar fares and tips are
saved. In looking into the running ex-
{ penses of a car these points must De
borne in mind, and something put TO
the credit side in consequence.
lit is the attention which the car re.
cetves which plays the most important
part in connection with running eN,
penses- Firstly there are chauneurs
wages and incidentais thereto, II
driver be employed. Anybody who has
served in a motor garage calls himseit
q chauffeur, and consequently such
can be obtained from few dollars a
former are generally boys who have no
knowledge, either practical or theoreu-
cal to help them, and unless the begin-
ner is of a mechanical turn of mind, or
really good boy can be obtained.
Juveniles had best be avoided and an
experienced chauffeur engaged
TT must be remembered that to keep
IL as new during the first year or so the
car requires much attention. ana, fur-
thermore, that the beginner Is then most
inexperienced. In most cases, II is GER
tainly preferable to engage good and
comparatively expensive man at hrst.
II is possible to engage a man VINO Will
combine motoring with the duties OF
valet, etc. II the chauffeur is to do
other work the whole of his wages
should not of course. be debited to the
cost of running the car.
Should Not Neglect Car.
'-The beginner who does not employ a
driver is strongly advised not to neglect
looking after his car. in the hope of
saving money thereby. One hears
motorist state that he never cleans his
[ car or has il touched. In such a case.
at the end of the years running the
owner is faced with a heavy repair bill.
His car may be noisy and not running
very well, and he takes II to a repatrer
for a thorough overhaul. II is then
found that every exposed bearing. par
ticularly the unfortunate ones in the
springs and steering. require renewal |
These pa fs are small in size. but very |
large in Nmber. and If badly worn re-
quire repla \ement altogether.
The toty cost is therefore heavy;
and / have veen repair bills of 500 and \
s3n0 in cases of this kind. when 1t was |
expected that $50 would cover all that
was necessary; the whole expense
would. however, have been avoided IL
all the moving parts had been lubri-
Gated from time to time
lit may be that II is intended to sell
the car at the end of a years running /
and purchase a new one In such
case difficulty would be experienced IN
selling the car unless IL had been looked
after well, and if the purchaser be at
all experienced he will not give high
price for car which bears evidence OF
neglect
Periodic and careful attention to the
cars requirements is necessary to re-
duce the running expenses to a mini
mum. In good modern car break
ages very rarely occur. and most cars
are guaranteed against mishaps of this
kind for varying periods, up to twelve
months. longer in a few cases. Such
guarantees do not extend TO failures due
10 neglect, and the terms of the guar
antee should be clearly understood.
Luck Plays Some Part.
Luck plays an important part in the
upkeep OF a car. One hears OF neigh
Dor who gets wonderful results with
tires, while you may be unfortunate in
that respect On the other hand, you
may be getting excellent results from
your car while your neighbor may have
a recurrence of small troubles. AS ones
knowledge and experience increases the
part that luck plays becomes much less
important
After gasolene, lubricating oil, grease.
Insurance licenses, gas, etc, comes the
storage question. and IL storage is to be
paid for IL must, of course. be added.
As an alternative to employing your
own chauffeur you can store the car in
a public garage and pay a weekly
charge for cleaning, etc. II this be In
tended the beginner Is strongly advised
10 secure a locked compartment In the
garage as some motor men are very
casual as to the manner or treating
other peoples property.
Not only are you liable to have your
car or tools borrowed, but there Is al
ways the risk that another car may be
backed into yours, perhaps a new We
hicIe. Again. garage hands are very
fond of wheeling cars about TO make
room for others. which is most objec-
tionable practice. Therefore keep your
car under lock and key, and II neces-
ssry At a letter or puzzle lock.
Another item which IL Is impossible
70 specify with any accuracy is that of
repairs The word repair suggests
previous breakage, but such mishaps
must be anticipated. / mention the ,
term as covering such work as adjust ,
Ing of brakes. removing magnetic from
the car for cleaning and adjustment,
grinding in valves. removing cylinders
for cleaning. mending a possible leakage {
In the radiator. fitting new washer to !
rreyent oil leakage and similar items" |