Cautionary Suggestions
It should hardly be necessary to remind the motor tourist that such adages as “Safety First,” “It’s Better To Be Safe Than Sorry,” and a “Stitch in [[77]]Time …” supply a wise basis of conduct for the motor tourist.
We sometimes hear a tourist boasting the speed at which he “hits it up,” “giving the other fellow the dust,” etc.; or telling how he made his forty per right along, and with a trailer, too. All such talk is supremely silly.
Watching for crossings, breaks in the road, and other wise precautions involve going at a moderate pace. The “Speed Fiend” is a peril to himself and a danger to every one who crosses his path.
One objection to speed is the effect on the tires. The thoughtful tourist will seek to lessen tire heat as much as possible on long tours. Run the wheels through water wherever convenient. Keep to the shady side of the street wherever possible. If there is a dirt side-road run on the dirt slowly and so cool the tires of your machine.
Keep the tires well inflated, the radiator full, and the fan belt sufficiently taut. On hot days coast down the slopes with your engine shut off. If the engine heats, wedge open the hood at the back so as to get better ventilation.
In the hilly regions of the Northeast, and among the mountains of the West, it is all-important to have both brakes in prime condition. On some of the Western roads the much advocated use of the engine as a break is almost positively essential. However, elsewhere most hills may be negotiated with the brakes alone, thus avoiding strain on the driving mechanism. Approach a descent slowly, so [[78]]as to avoid heating up the breaks by a sudden checking of speed. Alternate in the application of the brakes and thus avoid heating. Do not lock the hand brake, but hold it in your hand tensing and relaxing as required.
Watch your spark lever. The driver who leaves the spark lever fully advanced, irrespective of grades, road conditions and speeds, imposes unnecessary strain on the engine, and does not get the efficiency he should in car performance. It pays to regulate the spark to suit the load and speed of the engine so that ignition does not take place either too early or too late for smooth running and a steady flow of power.
In rainy or misty weather the wind-shield becomes obscured. There are a number of more or less successful devices for cleaning off the accumulated moisture. It is claimed by those who ought to know that a sliced onion rubbed over the surface of the glass will prevent the gathering of moisture upon it. Others are equally confident that a moistened plug of ordinary chewing tobacco is an efficient wind-shield cleaner if rubbed over the surface of the glass. There are soaps and other substances that are sold for the purpose of cleaning the wind-shield, and like the above-mentioned articles are more or less effective. The squeegee mechanical cleaners that work back and forth are probably the most efficient cleaners. A mechanical cleaner is the only kind efficient with snow. At any rate, keep your wind-shield clear and you will drive more safely. [[79]]
Always stop for street cars or omnibuses, unloading or loading. In most cities this is required by local ordinances, and in some states the traffic laws impose the same requirement.
Motorists should spread the gospel of good roads to all men, and great will be their reward in tire-saving.
Women drivers of vehicles should be given special consideration, and, some say, watching.
A small amount of shellac will stop small leaks in radiators.
Any kind of grease (butter, lard, etc.) is good to soften road tar adhering to fender, bumpers, etc., for easy removal.
To heat a tent on a cold night, fill a bucket with stones piping hot from the camp fire. Invert and cover with bucket. Good as a stove. [[80]]
CHAPTER VII
HOW TO CHOOSE A CAMP
Securing Permission—Church Grounds and School-yard Camp Sites—Municipal Camp Sites—Autumn and Winter Camping—Water Supply—Wells and Springs Doubtful—Selecting a Camping Site—Disposal of Refuse—Latrines—National and State Forest Camps, General Regulations—State of New York Regulations—New York State Parks and Forest Preserves—Adirondack and Catskill State Parks.