Evening star., 1936-03-15


There can be no doubt that acci-
dents and fatalities are due in many
instances to faulty brakes, bad steer
ing apparatus and binding head
lights. It makes no difference If it
is only 3 per cent Of the total Of all
accidents or TO- The potential dan
ger is present at all times. Human life
and property must be protected to
every extent.
All safeguards along these lines
cost money. With all the money be-
ing spent these days for various plans,
1t certainly is fitting that some of
it should go to protect life. Unfortu-
nately, the man or woman that Is
careless about his or her car in re-
gard to keeping 1t in the proper
mechanical condition is apt to be
careless about driving. Because of
this, the peril is doubled.
It seems ridiculous to state that
there are not enough defective cars
Involved in accidents to warrant COM
pulsory inspection. The saving of q
few lives annually would warrant al
most any regulation. The director of
traffic sees its need. The neighboring
States of Maryland and Virginia see
the need. 1t is very likely that traffic
men here and in those States have
made complete study of the matter
and the chances are that their find
5ngs are sound.
Opponents of compulsory inspection
state that ones car may become de-
fective between inspections. This Is
true, but it is hardly probable that
they will get in as poor condition
with two inspections year as without
any. Not one regulation is going to
solve all troubles, but each sound
one will produce its share in making
the streets of the National Capital
more safe. Compulsory inspection is
sound.
Another thought is that once one
gets in the habit of having his car
inspected, the driver will get into the
habit of keeping his car that way at
all times. Last and least, it may be-
come a boom to business here, aiding
many garages and service stations.
X
Oficially Spring is to arrive the end
of this week. Besides proper greasing
and oiling and tightening up of loose
bolts, the care of the radiator is most
important. Helpful advice of chemi-
cal Specialties expert should prove of
interest at this time.
While a few of the more popular
anti-freeze solutions now contain in
gradients which prevent rust, de-
natured alcohol and other anti-freeze
solutions do not In fact, some actually
promote rlSting. 1t is good plan,
therefore, to clean out the cooling
system when the anti-freeze solution
Is removed in the Spring.
The inside walls of the cooling sys-
tenn on the average car are coated with
a thick scum of grease, rust particles
and dirt. Sometimes this scum is so
heavily deposited that it plugs up the
tubes of the radiator and interfereS
seriously with the flow of the cooling
solution. This is quite likely to cause
overheating, especially when the car is
driven at high speeds or up steep hills.
If the situation Is not promptly cor
rected, it may cause scored cylinder
walls and make expensive engine re-
pairs necessary.
Several methods of cleaning cooling
systems are used. The car may be
taken to a reliable service station, and
the job done by an expert. 1t is not
wise, however, to depend solely on
high-pressure flushing. While water
pressure may open up certain plugged
passages, it does not clean out the
radiator thoroughly. To do that, en-
ploy some solvent which will dissolve
the grease and scum, freeing the rust
particles so they flow out when the
radiator is drained.
Some motorists use soda or lye as a
cleaning compound, but these are dan
gerous, especially if aluminium alloy
metals are located in the cooling sys-
tenn. Soda and lye solutions attack
aluminium and, if left in the car for
even a short time, may cause serious
damage to the engine parts.
The best plan is to use a cleaning
solution made especially for automobile
radiators, and one which is not only
eficient but is also harmless to alum
mum, hose connections and the other
parts with which it comes into contact.
If time is very limited, cleaning
lob can be done in half an hour with a
good radiator cleaner. 1t Is only neces-
sary to pour the cleaner into the radi-
ator, run the engine for about half an
hour with the radiator partially COW
cred to cause heating, then drain the
radiator and refill with water.
K
A more thorough job can be done,
however, if the radiator cleaner is
left in the cooling system until the
car has been driven from 200 to 300
miles. The hot solution, circulating
while the car is in operation, emul-
SITES the greasy scum and turns it
into liquid. freeing the rust and dirt
particles. When the radiator is finally
drained, the rust and dirt flow out
with the cleaning solution, leaving the
inside walls thoroughly clean.
When operating a car with clean
ing solution in the cooling system be
sure to keep the radiator well filled
with water. Cleaning solutions are
likely to foam, especially when the
car is driven at high speeds. The
foam will displace some OF the cooling
solution, which will run out through
the overflow pipe. This will reduce
the amount of cooling solution in the
radiator and permit overheating Of the
engine unless more water is added.
Should foaming and overheating oc-
cur, stop the car but do not remove
the radiator cap immediately. Wait
q few minutes for the solution to
cool. If you remove the cap inme-
diately, the hot solution may fow out
over the duco finish and stain it. II
YOU have been careless and let the
cleaning solution spill on the finish,
rinse it of promptly with water. II
the finish has been stained, remove
the marks with good abrasive polish.
When the car has been operated for
Ann -. oAn ,~.tfne rryffi7 cleaner in the