The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-26
ALL DOLLED UP
Robes and Blankets AdOrn
Hoods of Topeka Autos.
Denatured Alcohol VIII Prevent
Radiators Freezing.
MUST WATCH THE BATTERIES
No Danger of Freezing if Grav-
ity Is Kept High.
Third Alcohol, TwO-Thirds
Water Best Radiator Solution.


An automobile is a fine thing-if
you don't care what you say.
This is especially true in the winter
time, when it's necessary to get out
and change a tire with the tempera-
ture fourteen below zero. But the
ardent motor enthusiast can put up
with all this if his radiator will only
refrain from freezing up.
Topeka motorists employ a variety
of methods to prevent this disaster.
Robes and blankets of every descrip-
ton are pressed into use. the motor
is wrapped up as tenderly as the baby
On the coolest days those who must
keep their cars ready for use at any
time frequently insure the safety OF
the radiator by letting the motor run
for ten or fifteen minutes at intervals
of one to two hours. This is a con-
siderable nuisance to the motorist;
but to drain and refill the radiator
frequently is still worse.
Alcohol in Radiator.
About the surest method so far
known to insure the safety of the mo-
tor is to put denatured alcohol in the
radiator. The alcohol and water So
luton should be proportional accord
ing to the temperature. 1t takes
temperature of something lower than
80 degrees, Fahrenheit, to freeze clear
water in a radiator. If 10 per cent
alcohol be added, there is no danger
of freezing so long as the tempera-
ture remains ten above zero or higher.
Twenty per cent alcohol and 80 per
cent water will insure safety in any
temperature above two below zero.
For a temperature of fourteen below,
the alcohol should comprise 80 per
cent of the liquid. For a temperature
of tWenty-six below zero, 40 per cent
alcohol should be used; for thirty
eight degrees below, so per cent al
cohol
But as weather that cold is not like
" to be experienced in Kansas, it is
considered a safe bet to use about 80
per cent alcohol Curing the winter.
That insures safety for the radiator
as long as the temperature remains
above fourteen below zero-and it is
not likely to go below that. One should
first make sure the radiator does not
leak as the use of alcohol, if it run
out on the ground, is rather expen-
sive.
For 60 or rs cents. however, one
can buy g, gallon of high grade de-
natured alcohol that should serve for
the average radiator. There is also
a little instrument called the ''ra-
diatometer," with which the radiator
solution may be tested. 1t looks like
a battery tester and operates on the
same principle It will show just what
per cent of alcohol the solution con-
tains and how low a temperature that
solution will resist. AS the. alcohol
evaporates somewhat faster than wa
ter, these instruments are found very
handy in keeping tab on the solution
in the radiator.
Makes Radiators Steam.
Steaning radiators have been
common sight in Topeka during the
last few days. If the water freeze
tight, it is quite likely to not only
burst the radiator. but also to crack
fhe bloc If the cylinder walls be-
come cracked, the motor may as well
be hauled to the junk shop. If the
water freeze only partially, it usually
stops the circulation and the water
in the radiator is boiling in a short
time as a result. This will usually
fhaW out the ice, but it is not easy
on the motor. 1t is better to thaw 1t
out some other way. The fact that
the radiator is full of water is not
enough; that water must circulate
properly.
As a means of preventing the rapid
evaporation of the alcohol, it has been
recommended that about one-half pint
of lubricating oil be also poured into
the radiator. When the motor stops
running the oil comes to the top, forms
a scum and thus prevents the evapora-
ton of the alcohol. A little glycerine
will also serve this purpose, it Is
claimed. and prevent the radiator
from steaming.
The fear many motorists have that
the use of alcohol is dangerous is not
well founded, 1t is claimed. if ordinary
precautions are used, OF course, no
one is advised to light a match and
throw it in the radiator, but mere heat
will not cause an explosion. especially
when compression can escape thru
the overflow pipe.
Should Use Care.
When putting alcohol in the radi-
ator, or having it filled at a filling
station, care should be exercised that
none Of it gets on the hood, as it will
ruin the finish.
Proper attention should also be
given by the car owner to the use
of lubricating oils. While many cars
take the same kind of oil the year
round, others demand thinner oil in
winter than in summer. Good filling
stations should be in a position to ad-
wise every motorist concerning the
kind of oil to be used in his particular
car
The battery is another vitality i'm
portant part of the car which should'
be watched carefully. AS long as the
gravity is high-say from 1850 to 1880
there is no danger that it will freeze
in any weather experienced in this
part of the country. If the gravity
gets down to 1175 or 1850 the water
in the cells is likely to freeze in a
temperature OF zero. If the gravity
is entirely down. the water will of
Z course freeze at the freezing point
thirty-two degrees.