New-York tribune., 1921-09-11
''Be Prepared" Is
Best Advice to
Those Who Tour
Nothing Can Take Joy Out
of Life for Motoriss Who
Gives Proper Attention
to Car and Equipment
By H. Clifford Brokaw
Technical Director, Vest Side Y
M q d

It Is one thing to drive a car only
inside the city limits where one is al
most always within stones throw of
garage or service station, and quits
another thing to go out touring on the
country highways. The city driver can
not get far away from any help he may
need in case something goes wrong and
his machine refuses to operate for him.
The tourist who has motor difficulties
may find himself out on lonely, little
used country road miles from a repair
shop and its expert mechanics, miles
from telephone which might put him
in touch with the help he needs, per-
haps a considerable distance from even
the nearest residence. Unless he has
stored up under his hat few impor-
tant facts about automobile mechanics
and also stored in his car certain USE
full accessories, he is apt to find him
self in a sorry situation.
The tourist who goes by auto fully
prepared for the emergencies which may
arise can laugh at railroad schedules.
little engine trouble or other break
down will strike no terror in his heart.
Bad weather will not impede his prog
take the JOY out of life as he proceeds
calmly on his way.
The speedster knows nothing about
the pleasure of touring, and the fellow
who is always worrying lest he may
not arrive at Squedunkville at exactly
$3.50 p. m. for his supper or at Pump
kins Corner at 9:59 p. IN. for his bed
might better have stayed at home, If
it is enjoyment he is seeking. Such
a person spends so much time perusing
the mapx of the roads or watching the
clock on the dash that the beauties
nature has lavishly scattered about for
him to see are entirely lost as far as
he is concerned. To him the memory of
the trip will be largely so many meals
and so many beds.
Giving It the "Once Over"
The man who is starting out for
tour with new car, which has been
tried out enough to be sure that it is
in condition, need only know he has
with him the things most likely to be
needed for an emergency. But if the
car has been in service for several
months or more, he ought to give it
"once over" at least before starting.
One of the things to attend to Is the
refilling of the gear cases. Both the
transmission and. differential cases
should be drained Of all oil and washed
out carefully with kerosene. At the
same time the gears should be exam
ined closely to see if they are in good
shape. One may find one or two teeth
Clipped, though not broken enough to
make the condition known by sound
The metal probably was too hard orig-
nally, and so the break may not be the
fault of the driver, but it should be re-
placed because it is likely to give trou-
BILE at any time. When cleaned the
cases should be refilled with the proper
am cunt of new lubricant, but not too
much. With an oversupply it will
work out and scatter over the car and
probably get on the brake drums, caus
ing them to slip.
The crank case Of the engine should
be drained and cleaned out with kero-
sene and fresh oil should be put in. If
the otling system is working properly
it is best to let it alone except to see
that it is we'll filled with the proper
quality of lubricant while on the road.
OF course, the grease cups should be
filled and all points which are lubri
Gated by oil from a squirt can should
be taken care of. All the wheel bear
ings should be examined to determine