Page:Dorothy Levitt - The Woman and the Car.pdf/74

 turn the pointer to "Vitesse" and press down in the same manner.

Apart from filling the various grease-caps occasionally, on the steering, &c, and greasing the wheel bearings, this is all that is necessary in the way of lubrication. The wheels, however, only require greasing about every 400 miles.

Your next duty would be to test the brake. Get into the habit of doing this every time you go out. It is no trouble to run the car a few yards to ascertain whether the brakes grip or not. If all motorists, no matter how expert, were to spend a few moments in taking this precaution, there would undoubtedly be fewer accidents. We often read that "the steering-gear went wrong," but I am right in saying that, in many cases, the accidents are caused by the failure of the brakes when applied suddenly on an emergency. The brakes may be in a satisfactory condition when you lock up the car after a day's run, but when the car is stationary there is the slight possibility of a little oil dripping on to them during the night, rendering them practically useless. If there