Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-12-23

'Tt was only q few weeks ago that
publicly urged all motorists to pre-
pare their cars for the advent of zero
weather" says Max Hagelstine, service
manager of the Studebakerl corporation.
"and l gave them specific directions for
the preparation of an antifreeze mixture
that would guard against the freezing
of the water In the cooling system of
their cars.
while 1T is true that some motor
lists made adequate preparations for the
cold weather. 1t is also true that great
many owners woke up the other morn-
ing and found that Jack Frost had got
In his work: that the radiator was dam
aged and the cylinders cracked. And
to my way of thinking, cracked cyltn-.
ders and split radiator tubes cost lot
more than alcohol or glycerine.
1T is not always the man who has
his first machine that is caught mapping.
Experienced motorists are not infallible,
and it is that class of owners who never
cross bridge until they come to 1t that
bring business to the concerns who re-
pair radiators and those makers who
supply spare parts.
"While the most easily prepared, So
luton Is, perhaps, the calcium chloride,
1t is absolutely the wrong antifreeze
mixture to use. A number of cars have
recently been brought into the Stude-
upon investigation. showed that cal
cium chloride had apparently been used
in the radiator. Unless one can secure
the chemically pure form. calcium chlor-
ide is a mighty dangerous solution to
use. The commercial calcium chloride,
commonly sold for an antifreeze mix
ture, is highly injurious because of the
action on the components of the cool
ing system. Such alkaline solutions are
n nf n N
ever two dissimilar metals are utilized,
such as the brass tubing of a radiator
and the solder used at the joints; the
iron water jackets and the brass or cop
per plates, etc. And, too. I strongly
advise against the use of all soluble
salts. because of their harmful action
on the metal.
I'm addition to damaging the radia-
tor, the use of calcium chloride may
work havoc with the cylinders, the
pump and the inlet and outlet water
pipes. The owner usually has to buy
a new radiator before he can put his
car into service again, besides having to
stand the cost for the labor of replace
ing with the new. And the expense
does not always end with this work
"A summary of the opinions of mo-
torcar manufacturers as to the value
of various antifreeze solutions shows a
decided preference for denatured alco-
ho1 and glycerine. The proportions for
the use of the alcohol depend upon the
temperature. 1t will require q s per
cent. solution of alcohol to prevent
freezing at 26 degrees and a 90 per
cent. solution will take care of the wa
ter system down to zero. AS low as
10 below the solution should be 80 per
cent. and IL the mercury happens to
drop to Is degrees below the percent
age will be 30 per cent. of alcohol,
whereas 10 more degrees below will
require 40 per cent solution.
alcohol has one undesirable feature,
however, and that is its evaporating
proclivities. But If you will take the
trouble to add a small amount of
glycerine to the alcohol as you prepare
| 1t for the radiator, you will greatly
reduce the evaporation rate. Regards
ing the glycerine, the unbleached Ma
riety which may be procured at-rfa cti-
cally any drugstore is che4pest and
best.