Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-10
INSPEcT|ONO OF CAR
/ SERVICE INSURANCE
Motorists Can Do It Them
selves by Following a Few
Simple Rules.
CARE SHOWN BY MAKERS
4 EVIDENCE OF IMPORTANCE
Timely Discovery Of Trouble May
Prevent Serious Mishaps When
& on the Road.

n Like any other piece of machinery.
the motor car should be inspected perl
odically to see that every part Is in
proper working order and to detect,
wherever possible, loose nuts. improp-
erly adjusted apparatus, etc. In plenty
of time to prevent mishaps on the road.
So important do most of the motor car
makers consider this periodic inspec-
tion that they have in many cases laid
down special rules in the matter for
their dealers to follow, the aim being
to conserve the efficiency Of the vehi-
Giles through detecting mechanical dis
orders in time to prevent their grow
ing into serious maladies.
Inspection Habit Urged.
These days, when a man buys a car.
he usually Is accorded certain amount
of this inspection and adjustment serv-
ice free of charge. but 1t is we'll for him
to take lesson from this effort on
the makers part and later, when the
gratis service runs out continue its
routine himself at regular intervals,
thus forming habit of following the
old proverb of stitch in time.
About every two weeks, says Motor
Age. the car should be gone over care
fully, grease cups examined, brake adj
justments looked into, clutch action
checked up, wheels inspected and the
many other points about the mechan-
ism tested to see that everything is as
1t should be. To this end, 1t might be
well for the owner to set down a
regular inspection routine to be fol-
lowed out once in two weeks. He might
take the following as an outline:
Start with the motor-Clean the
spark plugs and, check up the distance
between the terminals, which should
not be over the thickness of dime.
oil. Go over bolts and nuts with
wrench and tighten loose ones Test
compression by turning motor over
slowly by hand when the ignition cur
than the others look at Its valves
If all are weak excessive carbon may
be expected on the valves, this pre-
venting their proper closing. Or the
tappets may not be properly adjusted.
holding the valves slightly open when
they should be completely seated Re-
member that the longer carbon Is al
lowed to stay on the valves the harder
it will be to grind them to accurate
seats again, for the deposits pit them
deeper and deeper. See that there are
no leaks and also examine the water
connections.
Rust on the Radiator.
Radiator-Look over the core of the
radiator. and II rust places are found
take steps to have the leaks that cause
them repaired at once. before they get
any larger. See that the overflow pspe
from the radiator is open, as sometimes
radiator leakage has been caused by
clogged drain pipes preventing steam
pressure caused a leak Run water
through the cooling system with q
hose for a few minutes to wash out
sediment so far as possible.
Electric system-Examine all wiring
to see that the insulation is good.
Tighten terminals that are loose. See
that no wires are being chafed through
rubbing on sharp surfaces. Look at
the storage battery. putting water in
the cells wherever the states are un-
covered Read the cell gravity with
the hydrometer, and IL any Of the cells
are strikingiy lower In reading than
the others and below normal gravity
the battery should be removed and
those cells brought up to proper charge
individually.
Brake system-Test all parts Of the
brake assembly. Examine pins and
clevises and see that none Of the bear
condition Of the brake lining and see
that the action IL uniform on operation
OF the pedal or lever. See that pins
and nuts are properly locked by cot
II used. Oil the bearings.
Spring system-Look carefully at the
.pring bolts and shackles, and tighten
loose spring clips. The latter IL very
breakage See that all leaves are free
to act and not rusted together. Ex-
anime for alignment Of the leaves
Steering System Important.
Steering system-Look at all joints
and connections carefully. See that
there are no loose connections in Cross
rod. reach-rod or elsewhere. Play IL
a bad thing In the steering connections.
As II causes wear. Steering connection
nuts and bolts should be properly cot
tered or otherwise locked. Examine for
excessive play in the steering wheel.
One-eighth turn 10 all there should be-
Whe-ls-Grasp the top of the wheel
and attempt to move II sidewise to
test for lost motion or play IN the bear
ines. When lacked up free Of the
ground the front wheel should turn
out any side play. II there Ii loosensss
sidewise the wheel should be removed
and bearings inspected for wear.
Wheels should be creased in any case
after from 1000 to 5000 miles.
Tires-Look them over carefully for
cuts and bruises OF a serious nature.
Remove any foreign substance that
might work into the tire. See that ex-
ira tire and tubes are dry. and that
they are not being chafed by straps or
tire irons Plug up all cuts. even II
they are only one-eighth inch long.
Genera1-ExAmfne all grease cups to
see that they are properly filled, and
that passages from them to the bear
ing surfaces are unobstructed. Never
let grease harden and cake in the
grease grooves or passages Such neg
lect soon renders the grease cup use
less. Examine all body, fender and
running board bolts. and see that the
lamp brackets are rigid and that the
windshield Is firmly in place. See that
mufftr and connections to exhaust
manifold are ftTht
Now S.udebaker Distributor,