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Webster says, "Economy avoids all waste and extravagance." The popular definition of being the opposite of
expense. Such is not exactly so. It is, however, the direct opposite of needless expense. Applied to the case of the
automobile, economy means the avoiding of all the expense of up-keep which is unnecessary and which ought not
exist. A group of the necessary expense items is composed principally of the following, namely, that of tires,
depreciation and fuel.
Much has been printed on the subject of the care of tires. A tire of standard make is usually good for several
thousand miles. A great deal of tire trouble could be avoided by giving heed to a few main points in regard to their
care. One of the most important of these is that of inflation. To run a tire without its containing the proper air pressure
will greatly shorten its life. A table of proper pressures for different sizes of tires can be obtained of any first-class
manufacturer for the asking. A rough but efficient method is to inflate the tire until its walls cease to bulge and are
straight. This when only the weight of the empty car is being sustained.
Avoid unnecessary use of the brakes. The strain all comes on the fabric of the tires. For the same reason do
not turn corners at high speed. Avoid letting grease or oil come in contact with the tires. Oils and greases are natural
enemies of rubber. Too much emphasis cannot be put on the fact that many blowouts are the result of overloading the
car. A car is usually equipped with tires to carry the load for which it is designed. Any more than this, results in
overstrains on the tire fabric. Owing to the elasticity of its power, a steam car is very easy on tires in comparison with
a car of the same weight propelled by an explosive motor, and there should be no reason why a steam car owner with
a little care, should not get exceptional mileage out of his tires.
Depreciation can be divided into two classes: Theoretical and actual. Suppose a car is bought and driven five
hundred miles; at the same time receiving the best of care. In reality it is a better car than it was the day it left the
factory, for all the bearings are broken in and everything is just beginning to work "sweetly". The theoretical
depreciation amounts to something like twenty five per cent, as the car is now a "used car" and that is its status on the
market. However, it is with the actual depreciation, and how to avoid as much of it as possible, that we wish to deal.
For practical purses, a used car is just as valuable to the happy owner, regardless of its age, as a new one,
provided he gets the service out of it. To obtain this kind of service it is necessary to eliminate all sources of depre-
ciation, aside from natural wear.
Enumerated in the order of their importance, the following seven items are the source of the greatest wear
and tear on a car. Namely, lack of lubrication, abuse of the throttle, abuse of the brakes, fast driving on rough roads,
overloading, turning corners at high speeds and a lack of cleanliness. Lubrication heads the list, but as it has been
discussed in the chapter devoted to that subject, it is unnecessary to repeat.
Owing to its great amount of reserve power the steam car can be abused by an improper handling of the
throttle. If the latter is opened quickly, the amount of power, which is applied in accelerating the speed rapidly, is
enormous. It results in a great overload on engine, drive shaft and rear axle. No car, whether steam or gasoline will
stand this treatment and continue to run as well as it would if it were handled in a sane manner. The proper way to
manipulate the throttle is to open it gradually. Allow the car to get into motion before turning on any great amount of
power. It is also a good point to remember to close the throttle before applying brakes. Regarding the latter, the abuse
of the brakes is just as needless and just as injurious as that of the throttle. The steam car is particularly capable of
being driven by throttle control alone and violent application of the brakes should be reserved only for emergencies.
The habit should be acquired of shutting off the power and coasting up to the desired stopping place. How often we
see a car brought up abruptly, with all brakes squealing a protest. No sane person would think of stopping a good
horse in that manner. When on country roads and approaching a rough bridge or a corner, coast up to it when
possible, cross easily, and gradually opening the throttle, pick up the former speed. A few little habits like these will
save many a dollar in the course of a year.
There is little excuse at any time for fast driving, and none at all for fast driving over poor roads. Nothing
will rack a car to pieces sooner. When a car weighs from 2,500 to 4,000 pounds, and is driven at a high speed, where
the road is rough, the strains and stresses produced are exceedingly great. It is marvelous that some machines stand as
much as they do. Furthermore, the danger of accident from breakage's and from losing control is no small item and
should not be overlooked.
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CHAPTER II
HINTS ON ECONOMY
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