HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1972-11-09, Page 31Yesterday's minters 'Teach
Today's Driver New Tricks
By M. A. McNIEL
Reprinted from
Iowa (:ity Press -Citizen
Getting automobiles ready
for winter use once was a far
different matter than it is
today.
What the motorist of the
past might experience was
outlined by Jim Eordice,
president of the Iowa . Valley
Chapter of the Antique Auto
Club of America and the
owner of several antique cars
himself.
Cars and service haven't
always been what they are
today. Back then, antifreeze
just wasn't available. Those
who were hardy and enthu-
siastic enough to drive in
winter weather put alcohol
or, kerosene in their radia-
tos hoping to prevent freeze -
'Today, "winter" or lour' visa'
cosity oil is taken for grant-
ed. Kerosene was also used in
the past to dilute the oil to
ease, cold weather cranking
and -allow it to circulate in
.archaic "splash" or dipper
lubrication systems.
Even diluted oil could be
mighty stiff on a cold Morn -
Universal Signs
Help All Drivers
Orators used to speak of One
World. Highway sign designers
are now 'thinking in terms of
One Road.
While European road signs
have long contained symbols
rather than words to provide
information, North American
signs usually have depended on
English language reading abil-
ity. As shown above, a simpli-
fied system of road signs will
he introduced on this side of
the Atlantic. In this forrit of
highway heraldry, a circle with
a slash across it means No (i.e.
No Left Turn or No Trucks).
The system should help North ti
American travelers in Europe
as well as Europeans traveling
here.
ing. It wasn't too uncommon
to tie three or four corn cobs
together with a piece of wire
and set them afire under the
crank case. A few minutes of
'this treatment would allow
the engine to turn over freely.
As well as the modern bat-
tery .,functions, it is still a
source of doubt on the cold-
est mornings. There was no
doubt in grandad's mind; he
knew his battery lacked suf-
ficient outpit on cold morn-
ings.
He took the necessary pre-
caution of keeping his bat-
tery behind the kitchen stove
overnight. Blankets were
sometimes placed over the
engine to prevent frost from
forming on the plug wires,
coil, and distributor.
All of these precautions
---and--the—,bitterest :Meta:77-
words didn't always guaran-
tee an easy start. After the
battery wore down, his crank-
ing arm wore out and his pa-
tience wore thin; grandad
still had an ace upathe sleeve
of his mackinaw. •
He could harness the team
to the front bumperand give
his old tin liz a pull. That
failing, he could hitch up a
buck -board and leave that
infernal contraption sitting
until warmer weather. •
If you don't have ready ac:-
cess
c=cess to a team of horses,
corn, cobs and kerosene, and
lack a kitchen stove to keep
your battery behind, the best
thing to do is to see an •auto
serviceman about winteriz-
ing your car.
f4
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The Signal -Star, November 9, 1972—Car Care Supplement Pate 3
Celebrities Demonstrate Car Care Needs
Linder the hood to investigate a mechanical difficulty are from left: television personality Dave
Garroway, comedienne Peggy Cass, race drier Peter Re‘sou and comedian Louis Nye. In an hour-
long National Automotive Trouble (Quiz TV Special, this foursome dramatiz"d -„hat to do "about
car trouble situations •t•hat arc not strangers to many of America's 110 million licensed drivers.
VENTILATION VITAL
Even on the coldest winter
days, it's still a good idea to
drive with a window slightly
opened. This will prevent the
possibility of carbon monox-
ide fumes amassing in the
passenger compartment. Bet-
ter yet, have your exhaust
system checked thoroughly
to guard against the deadly
gas.
AVOID FROZEN LINES
One, protection against
starting trouble in the win-
ter is to keep your gas tank
full as possible at all times.
This action will help keep
water vapor in the tank from
freezing- and thus blocking
the fuel line.
ON THE SKIDS
If your car goes into a skid
on a wet or icy street, turn
the steering wheel in the di-
rection of the skid. Do not
jam on the brakes but pump
them gently.
•
CLEAR REMINDER
When thinking about anti-
freeze for your car this win-
ter, don't forget the wind-
shield washers.
•
o.
Universal signs such as those at
the right above are rapidly re-
placing those to the left for
faster delivery of warning traffic
messages hitherto dependent on
words,
•
....v: r,}}vtiyr i:�f; rit��i}ri,'::�:ti�r:�+:j{.'"i; ••�
It's more than just a slogan.
Much more. Winter tests on
motorists' cars showed that untuned
cars had over twice the "won't starts"
tuned cars had.
'A major reason for this is worn
spark plugs. They demand twice the
voltage of plugs in good condition.
And on a cold day, your battery
supplies Tess voltage. When the
supply can't meet the demand,
your ca',won't start. No matter
how hard you try.
So please consider our "slogan
and see your mechanic for his engine
tune-up now—befo'he trouble strikes.
You'll enjoy dependable starts.
Plus better acceleration and gas
mileage. And reduced emissions, too.
DABLE
HAMPTON
PLUGS
Windsor,
Ontario.