The Washington times., 1916-11-11

Motoring Department; The Times
While passing through, Boston recently
I was told that ordinary tap water
could be used for the storage 5at,,eiLy;
water Is there any danger IN USING
tap waten? Also please tell me when
sulphurlc acid should be added. f. u
In some parts OF the country the tap
water IL pure enough to be used In
storage battery. but II Is we'll to be
careful. Most waters contain mineral
salts which will damage the plates.
Distilled water. is cheap and can be
obtained at any drug store. Acid should
never be put into battery unless some
of the electrolyte has leaked out or
been spilled. Use chemically pure acid
only.
Motoring Department, The Times
What Is the best way to winter car!
There Ia no heat In the garage, ana
DO not Intend to use the car TN; w,nte !:
taken care Of In the winter? what
should be done with the tiren? Please
answer In motor column. IL. W.
See answer to A. F. In this depart
.nent. The storage battery. should be
left. at a service station with directions
to discharge and recharge every month.
The electrolyte cannot freeze II kept at
100, but will freeze readily between 20
and 30 degrees II discharged.
Motoring Department. The Times
Some OF my motoring friends claim
that the brakes must be applied gently
and others apply them vigorously.
Please let us know which Is right.
The brakes must always be applied
gently, otherwise they are apt to lock
~. nal. 49, n oHi
brakf1g or retarding effect Is exerted
betwetA the brake and brake drum.
while thu wheel turns because of the
traction between the rubber tire and the
road. II tho brakes are damned on
suddenly the wheels are locked and the
car slides forward. The best way to
stop the car is to throttle down when
approaching the place. throw out the
clutch, and allow the car to coast, grad
ually applying the brakes.
Motoring Department The Times
Occasionally ! draw on a small auan-
though I have not had the car out IN
the rain. Where does It cone from and
what can do to avoid II? A, N. c.
The water gets in from the under
ground tank. where It is condensed
from the air. Being heavy It sinks to
the bottom and Is so drawn out first
II Is poured into your tank and finds the
outlet Immediately running down into
tho carburetor. Fit drain valve to
your carburetor II one is not already
provided. and open 1t occasionally. This
will carry or sediment, as we'll rs water
and SO forestall trouble. Also provide q
channels skin for your funnel and pour
the gasoline through IT This should end
oil nj
extent from dirt.
Motoring Department. The Times-I
have obtained a hydrometer for my
but If 1t becomes Broken I should not be
able to test the battery. Please let me
know through the motoring department
II there is any other way of testing a
from any assistance and. like to have
several methods to fall back on.
Carry a voltneter and test battery
while 1t Is delivering current to engine
or lights, 2.25 v. per cell shows full
charge and is v. shows discharge. A
small trouble lamp may be used. II 1t
burns dimly the battery is low. but this
gives you no warning in advance. The
hydrometer Is best and will last for
years II carefully protected against
leakage.
Motoring Department. The Tines
What should the driver do while the
car is skiddng? Some tell me it is best
TO steer the way the car Is going and
others say. to put on the brakes to
hold the wheels and steer the way yoe
want to go. Will this bring the head
Of the car in the right direction?
S. T. L.
The car should be pointed In the d.
rection 1t Is trying to 20 and the brakes
applied gently. II you can get the
wheels going In the right direction you
can get traction and 30 hold the car
by means OF the brakes. n you lam
the brakes on hard the wheels will con-
tinue to skid. This will not bring the
head around but will make matters
worse.
Motoring Department. The Times
Would like to have your advice on the
following questions: A slight knock
developed in our engine. ] took II to a
garage and asked the foreman what
II was. He said probably bearing.
took It to the shop and they frightened
up bearings, ETC.. and the knock could
not be heard. Only one week had
passed when the same knock cane
back. Some people tell me 1t Is in the
wrist pin. When the engine runs with
spark retarded 1t can be heard moro
distinctly. l would like to have your
opinion of above. / hope to see this
answer in the automobile page, and
thank you in advance for same.
p. S.-What advantage has an over.
head camshaft to others? Would q
correspondence course In automobile en-
cheering help a fellow to know about
an automobileT T.. j. o.
The only thing to do Is to keep hunt
ing until the cause Of the knock IL
found. One OF the bearings may have
loosened or 1t may be loose wrist pin
worn piston giving piston slap, Of
glowing carbon. II fiywheel Is fastened
to shaft by key that may be loose
Also look for a glowing point OF meta
in cylinder heads. The overhead cam
shaft is more accessible, but 1t requires
more attention for oiling and Is ap
to become noisy. There are severa
good correspondence courses. but 70
the man who simply wants to under
stand his car and take good care OF !
careful reading and consultation will
experienced men should give him all thu
information necessary.
Notesion Tho TInaaa--