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CRUISING SPEED-Services needed by your car will also depend
to some extent on the speeds
at
which you drive. The motorist who
habitually drives over 60 or 70 MPH on the open road will need
different service than one who cruises at 45 or 50 MPH.
USE
OF
LOW GEARS-At one time or another, you've ridden with
drivers who took a couple of blocks to get their cars into high after
starting.
Low and second gears use far more gas than high gear. The
owner who drives in first only long enough to get started and shifts
into high at 20 to 25 MPH, saves on both gasoline and service expense.
HANDLING THE CAR-It's easy to see how varying skill in handling
a car brings about different service needs. The car owner who bumps
into curbs or scrapes fenders when parking, naturally requires more
service than the motorist who drives carefully.
WARM-UP-Racing the motor or driving at high speeds before the
car is warmed up causes unnecessary wear, since the cold oil needs
time to circulate fully and efficiently between moving parts. It's a
good idea to let the engine run a moment after starting and to drive
at moderate speeds for at least ten minutes. This is particularly true
in cold weather.
DRIVING CONDITIONS
ROADS- The type of roads over which you drive can make a sur-
prising difference in the service needs of your car. A car driven on
rough or stone-surfaced highways, for instance, will need tire replace-
ment
and steering and wheel adjustment more often than under
ordinary conditions.
CLIMATE-Owners living in hot climates may need to replace tires
somewhat sooner than those who
live
in'
the
north,
since heat
is
one
of the determining factors in tire life. Conversely, those living in
cooler areas may find they need more ignition, carburetor, and bat-
tery service to maintain good gas mileage and quick, easy starting.
"LAY-OF-THE-LAND"-Lay-of-the-land (scientists call it "topog-
.
raphy") also causes variations in service needs, Altitude and the num-
ber of hills or mountains your car
has
to climb make a difference in
the up-keep required to keep it in good running order.
CITY vs. COUNTRY
-It
would be hard to say whether country or
city driving is "healthier" for your car. Open highways may lead to
engine wear from driving long distances at sustained high speeds,
while the restrictions and heavier traffic of city areas cause more stop-
and-go driving, with accompanying wear on such items as brakes
and
tires.
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