The Washington times., 1913-10-18
TREATMENT OF CAR
IS SAGREAT FACTOR
Owners Should Have Thorough
knowledge of Car and How
to Repair 1t.

Many automobile owners take pleasure
In driving their cars and in makinc
minor repairs and adjustments.
Most owners seem to think, however
I, a thorough knowledge of their car is
unnecessary. They are satisfied with
knowing how to drive It, and figure that
they will take the car TO a repair shou
when 1t stops or needs repairs.
| There is a vast difference between
| mere driving and the intelligent opera
ton of car. The proper shifting of
| the gears and application of power at
| the proper time, how and when to
have the oil in the crank case renewed
or carbon removed or valves reground,
or carburetor or other slight adjust
| ments made, determines the efficiency
and life of the whole mechanism.
In the hands Of an unframed person,
the highest grade automobile will rap
idly depreciate, and be in need of con-
stant repairs, while the trained operator
VIII prolong the service Of even low
grade Of car.
If owners would take the time and
trouble to master their car they would
have less trouble and expense, and
would realize real pleasure and value
from their investment. Many owners
run their car until It stops, and then
blame the car. Very seldom will an en-
warning. Nearly all troubles are in the
beginning indicated by particular symp-
toms, and these can be detected only by
one who knows the working principle Of
the parts. Considerable expense can be
avoided by making the minor adjust
ment at the right time.
Cars Average Mileage.
Probably half the automobiles today
cover from loo to 1.50O miles per
month. That means twenty to fifty
miles a day during the week, and a
Sunday run of fifty to $50 miles.
The average four-cylinder car Of from
20 to 50 horsepower will get from ten to
fifteen miles out of a gallon of gasoline,
while the smaller cars. with less piston
displacement, naturally will consume
less. Many of the Is and 20 horsepower
cars of the lighter touring
variety will get as much as twenty and
twenty-five miles out of gallon Of gas
olene. Cylinder oil is consumed more
slowly, the cars running from 100 to 15o
miles gallon, according to the size of
the car. Grease for transmission, uni
versal joints and differential will be
used at the rate of from to 20 pounds
a month.
Moderate Speed Desirable.
The man who drives his own auto
mobile and has business cares to keep
him occupied during the day does not
find much time to travel. and will cover ,
more than 500. to 700 miles a
He usually goes home around |
5 o'clock. finishes his dinner by or
80, and then takes his family for a |
ride of two or three hours before he is !
to get to bed.
Sunday trips will average more than /
100 miles among 1000 cars. 1t is not a /
question Of what the car can do, but
what the human being can stand. A
Sunday ride of 100 miles. with normal
stops. will take almost the entire day,
and make the occupants of the car
welcome bedtime. On an average. the
speed along the boulevards and in the
will be considerably under
wenty miles an hour, because persons.
after they have been driving some time.
ind that a much more comfortable and
economical; rate Of speed. 1t is easier
IN the person and on the car.