Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-11
EVERY AUTO OWNER IS ADVISED
TO OBTAIN MAXIMUM MILEAGE
Idle Car Deteriorates, So Nothing Can Be
Gained by Restricting It's Use,
Says Writer.

/ tually need more mileage than this on
most days of the week. But II miles a
day is only 100 miles week, and that Is
small amount for even an ordinary
week end. This would be 518 miles a
month in the average.
1t is estimated that the average mo-
torist gets 1875 miles per gallon of
gasoline. Probably the number of miles
per gallon Is on the increase, as the
builders of cars find ways through their
research departments to improve the
efficiency of the automobile engine and
other parts.
It would be interesting to know If the
motorists in the Southern parts of the
United States average more miles per
day than those residing in the Northern
part Of the country. It would seem logi-
cal that the Southern motorist should
have q larger number of miles to his
credit. He has the climate in his favor,
very little If any snow is on the high
ways to handicap his progress. He is
not bothered with excessive cold weather
to give him any possibility of frozen
radiator.
On the other hand, there is a very
large use Of automobiles during this
time of year by folks who live in the
Northern States. In spite of ice. and
snow and frigid temperatures they ven
ture forth in their cars. The roads are
kept clear of snow and anti-freeze mix
lures protect their radiators. When the
weather is cold and not so enjoyable
for walking there is all the more need
for using the car. And, the Northern
ers do use them lot
Family Standpoint.
But getting back for a moment to
the estimate Of II miles day on the
average, let us consider the matter
from the standpoint of the entire fam
lily. Even If the husband found only
a little use for his car most days of
the week, perhaps no use at all, there
is the wife to consider. She has shop
ping to do, social functions to attend
and other places to go. There are the
children to take to school If they are
young. If the children are old enough
to drive the car themselves there are
their own needs to consider. And young
folks usually have a considerable line
Of excuses or reasons why they should
go here and there in the family car.
Well, it doesn't take long to add up
II miles on the speedometer If three
or four persons are catering to their
| automobile reQutrmentS. Even If there
happens to be two cars in the family,
which is increasingly the case, still the
average of II miles per car per day
seems to be bit conservative as eSti-
mates go.
One point which may be brought out
in this connection Is the fact that there
Is some economy to be realized by using
an automobile as much as is in keep
| ing with the family's needs. There is
a certain overhead expense which is
going on all of the time, whether the
car is In use or not. That is If a car
| cost 81 900 and is calculated to last as
long as five years, there is a cost of
$3.50 year whether the car travels one
mile or $4,000 miles.
Travel Goats.
If the car travels l mile the cost
per mile of this overhead expense is
$3.50. If the car travels 10000, for In
stance, the cost per mile of this over
head is reduced to az cents a mile.
This is quite some difference. Yet the
car itself may not be much worse of
for wear with the 10000 miles to its
credit than 1t would have been with its
single mile, good care being taken for
granted When car stands still tires
deteriorate more or less. The battery
runs down, even the machinery doesn't
get on so well when idle.
Consequently, there is much to be said
in favor of getting all the use possible
out of an automobile while you have it.
Today Is today and nobody can tell
what tomorrow will be. So go to 1t and
use your car when you need it, for very
little will be saved by denying yourself
any of the pleasures or conveniences
that the automobile brings to its owner.