Evening star., 1933-12-10
Milady's Motoring
BY FREDERICK C. RUSSELL.

Many a woman who used to stay
home to make jam now goes out in the
car to get into it.
When you read a good book. how long
does 1t take you to come back to eartn
after you put it down?
That probably won't seem to have
anything to do with taking care OF
car, but here's what happens many
times day in any service station:
The driver comes in all excited be-
slant action All the mechanics are
busv but the shop foreman is eager to
satisfy, so he calls some one of an
other job. Let us say this mechanic
has been working on knotty brake
problem. They toss him right into
carburetion and expect him to forget
everything he ever knew about brakes.
Can you blame him If he isn't quite up
to par and doesn't give the new job
the benefit of his best thought?
To enjoy the car this winter-or not
to enjoy it-that Is a problem facing
many millions of motorists as Jack
Frost digs in for his annual hiberna-
ton Time was when the first dip of
the thermometer was q cue to shop for
bargains in dead storage. but while
the putting away of cars for the Winter
has been relegated into the past. many
motorists still put up their motoring
pleasure for the Winter. This calls for
revamping. Cold weather can be made
especially enjoyable.
There are some motorists who would
rather take spin in the car, or long
tour, in cold weather than in the warm
seasons of the year. Traffic is lighter
when the mercury is down? Any mod
ern car functions well regardless of the
colo You feel invigorated by the tfngle
OF the crisp air and want to go places
that would be uninviting in the months
when the air is sultry. Motoring in the
Winter can be healthful If the car has
a good ventilating system and is prop
erly heated.
So much for the esthetic side of
Winter motoring. Make your cold
weather driving safely enjoyable by
equipping the car with trustworthy
tires, having the brakes equalized. fill
ing the cooling system with modern
anti-freeze and keeping motor ana
chassis appropriately fabricated. Give
the car q chance to help.
I've Just talked with another woman
who didn't realize that the position Of
the front seat has much to do with the
way the car stops. If the driver Is
nearer the controls naturally it is easier
to press the brake pedal. Wonder how
many people have skidded because they
used too bulky pillow at their back.
Be very careful to see that the igni-
ton is switched off when you garage
the new car A friend Of mine was
closing the doors before realizing that
the motor was still running. The silence
of the new motors can be a hazard
If you are prone to do things too
hastily.
Yes, the clutch should be handled
carefully, to answer an inquirer. But
there is tendency to overdo this with
the new cars. If you are on an up
grade or the car is heavily loaded let
the clutch pedal come up a little
quicker. Too gentle handling OF the
clutch under such conditions simply
causes it to slip. heat up and perhaps
warp. Watch yourself when in the
lower gears as you will note tendency
to keep your foot on the clutch pedal,
even bearing against it.
The weeks sermonette concerns the
wisdom of always driving as carefully
when the tires are equipped with chains
as If they were not so protected. The
natural tendency Is to drive too fast
and too freely when traction Is Inn
proved with the aid of chains. That
offsets their safety.
Women ought to know more than
they do about right sitting in an auto
mobile. II would help them as well as
their passengers in preventing fatigue,
especially on long trips. II you lounge
too much on the seat. for instance. you
are certain to feel road shocks through
your back and shoulders where you are
not used to exercise. Manufacturers
have been giving thought to these mat
ters Of late and 1t explains why some
cars ride so much better than others
of the same price class. The good-rid-
ing jobs simply make you sit IN q more
correct position One reason why the
auxiliary seats Of seven-passenger car
always seem comfortable Is because
they make you sit upright.
A woman doesn't have to know al