The Washington times., 1930-03-12
BY J. LEO SUGRUE
Times Automobile Editor

Times Automobile Editor
Just because the modern auto
mobile is i1lconparably improved
over its predecessors Of earlier
Years is no reason why the
tnotorist should neglect the tool
Kit. As matter of fact, service
authorities point out, the owner
who fails to keep his equipment
up-to-date is making mistake
that may prove to be quite a
costly one.
Repairers report greater diff
Guilty In replacing spark plugs,
owing to the fact that many
owners of cars with plugs located
so as to require special plug
wrench have lost this necessary
tool. Another article frequently
lost is the wheel.ruller, a tool
that is essential for removing
rear wheel from the tapered end
Of its axle.
This let-down in the upkeep of
the tool kit comes at time when
. number Of special features on
the newer cars demand additions
to the tool kit or the emergency
supply to be carried in the car.
There was time when
motorist might forego carrying an
extra fan belt with him for the
simple reason that, with a little
intelligent encouragement, 1t is
possible to run a car short dis
tance without the fan operating
and without overheating the
power plant.
But some cars employ the fan
belt to run the generator or the
accessory shaft. These are
stronger belts, to be sure, but no
belt is unbreakable. II the
motorist has no spare belt with
him, it may be that he will run
into a variety Of complications.
Dropped Below Par
Todays automobiles are more
trustworthy, but the repair equip
ment generally carried in them
has dropped below par. A motor
ist nowadays forgets to tuck away
a clean rag into the side pocket.
Flower vases have taken the
place of the fire extinguisher,
while writing pads are viewed as
Of greater Importance than a few
feet of spare wire or an extra
spark plug or two.
One of the most satisfactory
ways of avoiding the jam at the
repair shop is to carry enough
repair equipment along in the car
so as to be able to catch any
trouble before it becomes serious.
This applies particularly to tour
Ing because it is on the long drive
where the car cannot be given a
rest pending a visit from the re-
pairer that small troubles de-
velop into genuine breakdowns.
A spare spark plug may be the
means Of saving the motor a
burned bearing. If the engine is
forced to climb steep hills on five
cylinders, or on three, there is
no telling how hot the power
plant will get, how quickly it
will burn off oil and how soon
the bearing will be starving for
lubricant.
Modern features on cars make
It advisable to carry additional
repair or supply equipment, rather
than to reduce equipment. In the
case of hydraulic brakes, for in
stance, it is well TO carry a small
can Of the official fluid when
taking a long trip. There is a
certain amount of fluid loss
through evaporation and normal
leakage. and should the car be
in some accident involving the
wheels it may become necessary
TO disturb the wheel cylinders at
the brakes with consequent loss
Of fluid. Having the official fluid
In the car saves the risk Of hav-
ing a roadside repairer use the
wrong kind Of fluid in the system.
The .-1struction book is as inn
portant as it ever was. One
owner in a large city. discovered
the cause of a troublesome noise