Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-02
MOTORISTS SAVE
BY USING BRAINS
Winter Warnings and Instruc.
tons in Reduction of Ex-
pense Given.

The approach OF freezing weather
brings to mind many things that the
motorist must remember and take
care of if he wishes to avoid trouble
and keep his car going without undue
expense. says the service department
of the National Automobile Chamber
Of Commerce.
The danger Of freezing the water in
the cooling system. cracking the CYL
inders or causing the radiator to leak
is SO well understood that the pre-
cautions are scarcely needed that anti
freeze should be put in the water or
that a hood or radiator cover should
be provided to retain the heat.
Redfator Covers Not Sufficient.
Some people forget that even the
radiator cover will not keep the water
warm indefinitely. This will be effec-
tive only SO long as sufficient heat Is
retained to keep the water tempera-
ture above thirty-two degrees. which
will depend on the exposure of the
car and the severity of the weather.
In any event. not more than two or
three hours protection should be ex-
pected of radiator cover. in the cold
est weather and if the car must be
left for a longer time without anti
freeze in the radiator. the engine
should be run for few minutes at in
tervals of two or three hours. Much
less trouble. of course. results from
putting alcohol and sodium chloride
or some such solution in the radiator.
The things which most need watch
ing. however. in the winter are the
engines fabrication and the storage
battery.
Very many people do not realize
that a lighter grade of oil is necessary
hA
heavier oils tending to flow so slowly
that the bearings may be burned be-
fore the viscous oil gets into circula-
ton. To be on the safe side one
should put in the lighter oil that the
car manufacturer recommends for
winter before the cold weather sets in.
Watch the Batteries, Is Advice.
Another thing to be borne in mind
il that the storage battery is a rela-
lively expensive piece OF equipment
and il reasonable care will prevent
its coming to an untimely end 1T is
worth while taking the trouble to
keep watch of the gravity of the
electrolite.
II it gets too low, as indicated by
a test with a hydrometer, have the
battery removed and charged, but the
chances are that the external charg-
ing will not be necessary IL the bat
terry is not run down by unnecessary
cranking.
CPaAkinG Sometimes Needed.
These cold mornings cars are a
little hard to start, but instead OF
standing on the button and keeping
the motor turning over, it is much
better to crank a second or two at a
time. stopping between to change the
uosition of the choke or the spark OF
gas levers. then crank again, remem-
bering that the engine will not start
with too much gas any better than
with too little. Several attempts at
starting of a few seconds duration
each do not SO seriously drain the
battery as cranking for long period
continuously.
BE sure to Replace Battery.
II IL does become necessary to take
the battery out of the car be sure
that another battery is put in its
place or else that the proper thing
10 done to keep the generator from
being burned out. Your instructor
book gives the proper directions for
grounding or short-circuiting the
brushes so that damage will not
result to the generator. Failure &c
do this will almost certainly be fol
lowed by burning out the windings
of the armature field or ever
both The safest course is never to
drive the car without a battery or
the line from the generator.
Whatever happens that indicates
something unusual about the car, il
drop into a service station. "A stitch
in time saves nine" and large repair
bills are avoided by early attention
to small signs nf trouble