Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-01-25

1t is not infrequent in this sort of
weather to see cars being flowed in
10 service stations because of diff
culties of the motorist in getting
the engine started.
These difficulties in a great many
instances are due to lack of under
standing on the part Of the driver
as to what takes place under the hood
When endeavoring to start the motor
For the benefit of those motorists
VINO nave not yet learned precisely
OF the influences of cold weather that
retard the easy starting of the en-
CINE the following instruction has
been obtained from an experienced
service man.
Causes Of Dimculty.
There are three main reasons for
d1fhculty in starting the motor in
cold weather:
/. Poor mixture of gas.
?. Reduced efficiency of battery.
3. Stiff motor (most frequently
caused by lubricating oil that is too
thick or viscous for winter use)
An understanding Of the changes
ture on the carburetor, electrical
equipment and oil will help overcome
the difficulties of driving in all
seasons.
The functioning Of the carburetor
is to vaporize the gasoline and mix
it with an adequate proportion of air,
which. under compression, constitutes
the explosive mixture. Heat and cold
have very definite influences on the
carburetion of gasoline. -
| Gasoline is volatile LIQUID and
easily vaporized under the influence
of heat. being less susceptible with a
decrease in temperature. The gaso-
line vapor is just as easily reduced
influence of cold. Thus a cold thrush
Of air through the carburetor on an
already cold jet of gasoline will re-
suit in very weak mixture of air
and gasoline vapor. Therefore it fol-
lows that the carburetor must be ad-
Justed to give stronger or richer
mixture when starting the motor I'M
der cold weather conditions.
Battery Has Limitations.
The only part of the electrical
equipment influenced by the cold is
the battery. which provides both the
power to rotate the starter and the
current which induces a spark at the
plugs. When called upon to rotate
the motor by means of the starter the
battery sets free all its stored-up en-
ergy to be used without restraint
However, even a battery has it's lin
itations and can only store up so
much energy.
lowering of the temperature the ef-
fectiveness of the storage battery de-
creases. So it follows that in cold
weather the starter is less able to do
its work because of deriving less
power from the battery than under
normal weather conditions.
Heat causes oil to become thin and
flow easily. Cold causes it to CONCEAL
and become viScouS or sticky. 1t is
readily susceptible to either infiu-
ence.
Cold Conceals Oil.
The moving parts of the motor are
covered with oil, which becomes con-
IDLE at a low temperature. If it be
cold enough the motor will literally
become frozen. 1t is then that the
starter is called upon to perform it's
hardest work
Lubricating oils are obtainable in
varying degrees of viscosity or thick =
ness at normal temperatures They
are usually termed arctic light, me-
alum and heavy grades, arctic being
the thlnnest. 1t is the arctic grade of
OIL that is recommended for use in
cold weather.
j, 1t is obvious that warmth is desir-
able for starting the motor easily.
< However, for those who must start
thelr motor cold the following is sug-
l.. Equip the car with radiator and
q Put an anti-freeze solution in
the radiator mixture more COM
H,ohiS used than any other is one
thlrd OF denatured alcohol mixed with
tWo-thlrds of the radiators capacity
of water.
d. Have the battery tested at bat
terry charging station.
=. nave electrical equipment check
ed over and adjusted by d competent
Hiechdnlc TO insure there is no vast
age or current due to bad terminal
!. connections and insulation
|: D. rave carburetor adjusted at-serv-
!: ice station TO suit weather conditions.
I o. Dram oil. If of a heavy grade,
3 from the motor and transmission and
: renii poth with a high grade thin or
!. arctic oil
I. Fiil small can with gasoline
ana Keep 1t in convenient place on
: the car for printing purposes
: o. see mat the printing cup taps
work easily and freely.
I How to Stop Your Car.
: The above are general principles to
: observe IN putting your car in the
: pest condition for easy starting. Fur-
!: ther provisions that should be OBJ
3 served at the time you stop your car,
!: whlch VIII make it much easier TO
start the motor again. are:
1; before switching off the motor
pull down the front lap on the radi-
! ator jacket.
Z = Race the motor for a few seconds.
tnen switch off. opening up the throt-
! Tie at the same time