Page:Motors and motor-driving (1902).djvu/127

Rh and brakes. At times the leather on the clutch (when it exists, as it generally does) becomes very polished, and is apt to slip. Sometimes dust or grit gains an entrance, and prevents it from gripping. Water cleans, expands, and roughens the leather without injuring it. Some owners clean their clutch with benzine. This practice is, however, objectionable, because the volatile portion of the benzine evaporates, and invariably leaves behind traces of oily matter, since perfectly rectified benzine would be too expensive to use, and would probably mean that a shilling would be spent each time the clutch was cleaned. It will be seen, therefore, that it is only a question of time when the clutch will become lubricated. However, if oil should by chance get into the clutch or on the brakes, this must be removed with ordinary benzine; but the occurrence should be rare if proper care is taken. By these remarks it must not be supposed that the clutch and brakes should be wetted daily. Once a month, or less often, is sufficient, even when a car is used constantly. On the road also, if a clutch does not act, due to slip, a small dose of water puts matters right at once if the mechanical portions are in order. It is necessary to point out that neither water nor moisture should come in contact with any of the electrical portions when they exist, i.e. primary battery accumulator, and magneto should be kept perfectly dry, also all conductors, insulators, and other electrical apparatus. The moisture itself, if the water is pure, will have practically no effect on the working of the apparatus, because this liquid is a very good non-conductor. Danger enters by the adhesion of dirt, due to the moisture, which causes the current to leak.

Every car should have mackintosh rain-covers, neatly made, so as not to be disfiguring, for use in wet weather; also dust-covers, which are useful on many occasions. In damp weather the carriage should be left entirely uncovered when standing in its house, since the covers become moist, and the carriage is enveloped in a wet cloth, when in a short time it will be found that all the leather parts have become mildewed. A