Evening star., 1953-02-23
Is Ways 10 Save
Money and Trouble
On the Highway

On the Highway
In spite of all that has been
written on the subject Of auto
mobiles and their economical
operation, the simple, sure ways
to save money and troubles on
the road continue to be passed
by as lightly as most drivers rush
past the significant things en-
route.
The money savers can be a
real factor in any ones motoring.
There are. to be exact. 25 Ct
them.
BY following these rules it Is
possible to avoid much OF the
grief that sends owners scurrying
for help. BY taking these savers
seriously much time that Is now
spent in buying preventable re-
pairs can be put into getting
more use of a car. BY keeping
these 25 pointers always in mind
any motorist can avoid delays
and chart himself far safer
course on the highway.
Some of the rules are new to
the uninitiated. Most Of them
have been known to the wise
men of motoring for years. All
are simple.
For easy application let's break
them down into three general
categorieS.
First, let's consider the rules
that save expenses for keeping
the car in top mechanical con-
dition. Second, let's list those
that help assure you better oper-
alton. Third, let's check the
rules that help keep the car look
ing its best.
Mechanical.
/. Nothing is more effective in
forestalling cooling system
trouble than use Of rust inhibitor
of the emulsifying oil type. In ad-
dition to checking ruSting. this
also oils the water pump. Many
anti-freeze brands have this
added, but when draining OH
anti-freeze for summer always
add fresh inhibitor.
2. Change the oil in accordance
with driving conditions. Change
every 500 miles if the car is used
mainly for short, inefficient runs.
Every 1000 miles normally. Less
frequent changing is permissible
in summer or on trips.
3. Use an oil filter and change
the cartridge every 5000 miles
or so
4. Always change the oil when
the engine is warmed up.
S. Have the valves ground be-
fore this sort of service really
seems necessary.
6. Change brake fluid even If
the brakes are working all right
7. Additives are effective for
cold motor starting and to check
valve and ring stickage, but be
careful in their use. They stir
up sludge. Often an engine
should be manually cleaned be-
fore additives are used. Heavy
duty oils have detergents which
help keep the engine clean.
8. You can save money by
storing the car in a warm garage.
8. Let the engine warm up
before driving away. Fast-ldle
1t lust enough so that the am
meter shows charge, for several
minutes.
10. Avoid the temptation to
overtighten things such as the
fan belt.
Operation.
II. Balance all four tires and
wheels, not merely to prevent
tire wear and check shimmy, but
also to make the car run
smoother.
IL. Rotate tires to equalize
tread wear and to prevent skid
ding, but no set rules should be
followed. Servicemen now rec
ognize cases where tires should
not be be rotated at all. Often
replacement is the right answer.
13 Maintain about an inch
free play in the clutch pedal
for avoidance of those troubles
which follow excessive wear on
the clutch facings.
II. Maintain free play in the
brake pedal. too, and tie this in
with knowing what is meant by
a spongy pedal or pedal that
needs pumping.
Is. Learn to keep a light foot
on the accelerator pedal. Nothing
goes further toward saving gas.
16. Keeping the engine tuned
up not only gives more satlsfac-
ton in driving. but saves gas,
prevents clutch chatter, and
avoids motor strain.
II. Premium gas is best for
most engines. it permits having
the ignition timer we'll advanced.
18. Don't be afraid to use the
lower gears. This applies especi-
ally to cars with overdrive or any
automatic drive with a kick
down gearing.
10. Is to drive at the cars
easiest rolling speed, traffic and
weather conditions permitting.
20. Have the exposed ignition
parts waterproofed.
81. Make it a habit to check
the battery often, keeping its
posts and connectors clean.
Wash posts with ammonia and
put on a mere wipe of petroleum
Jelly.
%. Avoid street parking 1t
always gives the car a lot OF
extra work to do.
Appearance.
%. To keep a car looking its
best. Wax the finish, including
protection for the chrome finish.