El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-06-22
Preparing Your Automobile For Tour;
Some Hints OF Value To The Motorists


A T THIS season Of the year wher
I n every car owners thoughts turn
inevitably TO matters pertaining to
tours long or short, a few words in
regard TO the sort OF preparation Tor
such a trip that spells the difference
between pleasure and annoyance. viii
hardly be amiss It may be that with
the strain Of war upon all Of us. we
shall not have as much long distance
touring this summer as in the past
few years. but appearances are
against any sucn assumption. At the
present time it looks as If the psy-
Geological factor Of desire for relax
alton from long continued strain was
going TO send American motorists on
the road this season even more than
the past.
Any veteran motorist who has
made a tour IN a car that was nos
properly ErOomed and prepared for
the ordeal OF long continued driving
over all sorts Of road surfaces, Will
need no hint TO give his vehicle all
needed attention before he starts out
on the road. The new conner in motor
ing circles. however. may not have
realized the need for this previous
care and TO him especially we address
our remarks. although we may be able
TO suggest something even TO the
veteran.
The preparation for the tour. as lar
as the car is concerned should consist
of a careful and detailed inspection OF
the mechanism and the packing Of all
spare parts that may in ordinary cir
cumstances be needed. supplemented
by filling out the tool kit with pOten-
tally useful weapons"
The first two units which ought 20
have attention are the brakes and
the steering system These come first
because under very ina ginable cir
cumstanCes the lives of those in the
car may depend on the proper func-
tioning Of these two systems II
there is excessive play I'm the steer
ing system, it should be taken up and
parts demanding fabrication should
have It, The brakes should be tested
to see If they are functiOning prop
erly. il the Innings have been in SER
vice for a long time, they should be
renewed; better a little trouble be-
fOrehand than an accident or delay
on the road 10 refine brakes. Be sure Z
that the brakes are eLerting an even z
pressure and If lack of holding abil- [
Ity has developed in one side. adjust /
until they are equal in holding power /
again.
The lubrlcatlon system ought to be /
completely gone over. grease and oil I
cups should be refiued. 1t is an ad- /
nirable idea TO drain out the crank l
sase and rear axle housings and after 4
flushing them out with kerosene, to
install fresh oil
Next the ignition system should
have a careful going over. If there
has been any sign of trouble in this
init, run il down before starting on
he trip. There is nothing more an
loyinE than 10 have ignition trouble
IN the road and have 10 hunt for the
.ause and cure perhaps under a broil-
ng sun and in dusty road. tt is a
wise precauton to cover all such
inits as the ignition, starting motor
md lighting generator with some pro-
ection that viii exclude moisture
md dirt, for these are parts subject
o ready arrangement from water.
It is important that the cooling sys-
EN- of the engine shall be in good
hape for an extended tour under hot
Weather conditions. Presumably the
adiator has been cleaned out early
q the spring, but it viii be a wise
recautfon to drain the cooling sys-
EN- and refill IL before starting on
he tour. Incidentally, one of the
evices that tell what the tempera-i
ure Of the water is, viii prove a wise ;