The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-20
MOTORS
AND THEIR CARE
Practical Suggestions for In
suring Longevity of
the Car

For Cleaning Parts
Washing soda, kerosene and plain
soap and water should be the clean
| ing agents used by car owners for
cleaning parts, tools. etc, about the
garage.
Treatment of Fan Belt
! A leather fan belt should be cleaned
with gasoline and then soaked over
night in castor oil. This treatment
will revive the grip of even the old
| est belt.
When battery Is Overcharged
To reduce an overcharged battery,
all the lights should be burned for
about two hours while the car is
standing idle, and have the output of
| the generator reduced.
To Eliminate Door Rnttles
Small pieces of tin. wedged under
rattle of doors. This is equivalent
| to inserting new rubber bumpers;
only it requires less trouble.
Concerning the Commutator
1t is a good plan to clean the com
mutator when it becomes gummed.
Crocus cloth can be used to advan-
tage if the copper surfaces are thor
oughly wiped with the cloth. Never
use emery or sand paper.
o O o
Worn Bearings
When bearings begin to wear, they
are soon knocked lopsided, depending
upon the thrust of the engaging
member. Even the slightest amount
of wear will develop a knock which
greatly hastens the end of the bear
ing.
Ignition Efficiency
| One of the common causes of ig-
/ milton troubles is that of defective
contact points, which are among the
main parts of the ignition system. 1t
! is upon their condition that the
strength of the high tension sparks
to the cylinder depends.
Throw out the clutch when ap-
preaching railroad crossing. This
/ will eliminate all noises about the
car, making it possible to listen for
the sound of an approaching train.
! In coasting. however. do not allow
the engine to idle so slowly that there
is danger of it's stalling.
Care Of Dry Cells
If dry cells are carried in box
on the running board. they should be
carefully watched for short circuits.
Water sometimes gets into them
when the car is washed, and the out
side castings of the cells become
damp. Dry cells should be installed
They should also be packed in such
a manner as to prevent rubbing.
Winter Driving Causes Rusted Rims
car that has been in use all win
ter should be lacked up, and the tires
removed from the rims. Snow and
moisture that have gathered around
| the rim, have probably soaked in
between the rim and the head of the
tire causing rust on the rim. This
rust has a damaging effect on the
| beads. Tires should be removed when
dry weather arrives and this rust re-
moved. Beads have been known to
have rusted solid to the rims and
when the tires have been removed
/ portions Ct the bead have stuck to
the rim.
Between 90 and 25 miles an hour is
the most economical touring speed.
A flat tire on front wheel is much
more dangerous than one at the rear.
The proper distance to set the
points of a spark plug is wa TO .0oo
of an inch.
A loose rear wheel may be detected
if a creak is heard when the clutch
is engaged
Tires she ld be inspected at least
once a week for cuts, bruises, blis-
ters and initiation
Kerosene poured around the work :
ing parts of overhead valves will
often clean sticking valves.
Springs should be kept tight at the
axles, Looseness at this point causes
most spring breaks.
When the carburetor is working
perfectly. the exhaust gas is col
| orless and almost entirely Cdorless.
Axles or rims that have become
bent will ruin the tires, due to the
fact that the wheels are not turning
true.
A motorist should give just as
much care and attention TO the tires
:. Iaaas tho nj "