Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-07
MILADY'S MOTORING
BY FREDERICK C. RUSSELL.

BY FREDERICK c. RUSSELL.
It's a long lane that has no turning,
especially for the woman who hasn't
learned how to back around.
Several women have asked what is
the best thing to do when the engine
becomes generally noisy, and in each
instance have recommended having
the tappets adjusted for less clearance.
These are the parts that are lifted by
lobes on the canlshaft, and their func-
ton, in turn, is to open the valves.
There has to be q little clearance be-
tween the tops of the tappets and the
expansion, as the latter naturally
lengthen slightly when the engine
heats up.
Quite lot of Objectionable clatter-
ing can develop when tappets are too
loose, but If you go to a mechanic with
instructions to give you quiet and peace
be careful that he does not overdo the
job. Too close an adjustment, while
extremely pleasing for a few miles. will
result in holding the valves open when
expansion sets in. This is not only an
inefficient situation but one that re-
suits In noises of its own.
Often replacement of some compare
lively inexpensive part of the valve
gear provides the noise remedy.
The sight of shock absorber strap
dangling to the ground may not i'm
press the average driver as being of
any great consequence where these
spring controls are viewed merely as
comfort-giving devices. If one of these
IL broken, however, the car Is apt to
sway dangerously on curves. The sit
uation is worse than If the car had no
shock abeorbers. because there is an
unbalanced control of spring action.
Avoid the necessity Of stopping sud-
denly In public garage, because the
chances are there are puddles of Slip
perry grease or oil on the floor.
If you are nervous about having the
car back a little when you are obliged
to stop on a hill In traffic, at least
take the precaution of keeping as near
the curb as possible. You can stop
the car by turning into the curb If you
are genuinely ratified, and by keeping
to the right you give other drivers be-
hind the opportunity to swing around
to the left.
When you come to buy new tires for
your car you will be UP against mans
custom of advising the transfer of the
worn rear tires to the 'front.' This was
done In the old days as a matter of
economy, but today 1t rates as the
height of folly. Strong tires are needed
on the front wheels as insurance
against front wheel blowout at the
high speeds cars now customarily
travel.
Better transfer the front tires to the
rear or discard them altogether If they
using the new ores on the front.
1t is true that the car steers more
easily with smoother treads on the
front. This offers a strong temptation
to follow the old custom by putting
the worn shoes to the front. Also 1t
Is a fact that good treads on the
rear tires are a necessity If skidding is
to be avoided.
How can these factors be reconciledp
Good Judgment has to be used. Also
expert analysis of the real condition of
sometimes have excellent looking treads,
and vice versa.
Frequently at the bottom of a hill
the air will be permeated with the smell
of burning brakes. There Is no need
to be alarmed because you cannot smell
the brakes Of your own car.
to be alarmed by a sudden rumbling
noise. Almost invariably it is the result
Of the tires running over brick, bel
GUM or roughly macadamized paving.
If the woman members of the family
are consulted regarding the matter Of
selecting a proper color for repainting
the car there is good opportunity to
avoid the mistake of overlooking any
possible clash with the hue Of the
upholstery.
A mechanic working on your car may
have occasion to ask what kind of
gasoline is in the tank. Perhaps some
other member of the family has been
buying the gas and you are not sure
of your answer. Under such conditions
1t Is well to remember that glance
at the gas in the filter may settle the
point, since several of the special brands
carry distinctive colors.