Page:Motors and motor-driving (1902).djvu/126

94 pneumatics for any length of time, or to allow them to be exposed to too great cold or heat. Therefore the air-tubes and envelopes should be hung on the brackets on the wall, and the air-tubes should be kept inflated to a small tension. Since, as has been stated, no direct sunlight reaches the house, danger from excessive heat is avoided. Besides, the heat of the sun might burst the air-tubes on the vehicles standing in the house, or even prove a source of danger to the benzine reservoir by heating the liquid.

Money is not wasted if the owner of the car purchases five jacks for every carriage, one to carry on the car itself, and four to be used in lifting the wheels off the floor, no matter whether the tyres are furnished with pneumatics or solid rubber. Of course, this proceeding would not be resorted to except when the carriage is left for some considerable time without being used, and this practice will greatly prolong the life of the tyres.

All tyres should be repaired at once, and not left for chance moments.

It is usual to wash the horse-drawn carriage directly on reaching the stable, because the mud can be more easily removed when wet, and without the risk of scratching the varnish. This process, however, cannot always be resorted to in the case of a motor-car, on account of the machinery being hot. It is therefore desirable to wet the mud well before removing it. A large Turkey sponge is best for cleaning the body and wheels of the car, and after washing, everything must be dried with sponge-cloths or leathers, according to the nature of the parts to be wiped. The engine itself, and any other working parts, are better cleaned with damp sponge-cloths and finally wiped over with oily waste. The bright parts are cleaned with selvyt, leather, or other suitable material. In no event must water be dashed over a car after the manner of cleaning ordinary carriages, although a hose is convenient for washing, since the water can be carefully directed to the required points.

It is almost the universal practice abroad to wet the clutch