Smyrna times., 1935-05-30
CAR EQUIPMENT
ADDS TO SAFETY
Such Equipment Means Much
Says j. VI. Crawford of
Chevrolet Motor Co.
TIPS GIVEN TO TOURISTS

Next to having a car Well-tuned
and in perfect mechanical condi-
ton, there is no greater contribu-
ton to the pleasure, safety, and
comfort of summer vacation tour
| than to have the car fitted with
equipment that guarantees the
tourist against minor difficulties
and dIscomforts that may be met
with on a long distance trip. Most
OF the accessories in this class are
equally useful in ordinary city driv-
ing, but become particularly i'm
portant and valuable when the
tourist is in a strange region.
travelling over unknown roads, and
driving maybe for hours at a time.
Then his pleasure depends on his
being free to observe the country
and the scenery, to avoid enforced
halts, and to be at his ease physi-
cally and mentally Probably the
most universally valuable acces-
sorry, for city use or for touring in
all seasons of the year, is the spot
light. However, very few motor
lists whose cars carry spotlights
use them to their full advantage;
they seem to reserve them for the
sole purpose of searching out house
numbers, or for reading cross-road
signs. Actually, a spotlight prop
erly used is a safety device, especi-
ally when travelling in strange
country. It should be set to direct
its beam on the right hand edge
Of the road, well ahead, ready to be
snapped on whenever it is neces-
sary to dim the main headlights.
Some motorists make this automa-
tic, by wiring their spotlight circuit
to the dim terminal Of the regular
lighting switch. Again, in over
taking a car at night, the spotlight
is a better signal than the horn;
you direct its beam to the left mar
gin Of the road ahead of the car
car in front, who thus is warned
that you are about to pass, while
the beam illuminates any obstruc-
ton that might endanger your own
car. This signal is especially val
liable in passing heavy trucks with
trailers, whose drivers might not
be able to hear your horn, but are
sure to see your spotlight beam
alongside (if they don't, a quick
f1aash on and off the rear view
mirror is certain to be nOticedl.
Spotlights are useful also for flash
ing beam ahead at street or high
way intersections to warn drivers
approaching from either side: for
signalling cars behind you when
you are going to make a left turn:
for illuminating your own left front
fender as a warning to cars ap-
preaching from the rear when you
are pulling out from a curbside
parking place, and for numerous
other uses besides their main pur-
pose. Both safety and comfort are
served by insect screens in all
openings. Most current
model cars are regularly provided
with screens in the cowl ventilat-
ors, but screens may be had also
for the window openings of no
draft ventilating systems. Since
on most vacations trips the driver
is not the only one whose comfort
and pleasure are to be considered,
accessory manufacturers have of
ferings of special value and utility
for the passenger. For example,
an extra windshield wiper may be
installed at the right side of the
car; also an additional adjustble
sun visor, which may be equipped
with a snap-on vanity mirror for
the benefit of feminine passengers.