Ethylene glycol, sold in the U. S. for anti-freezing purposes, is
chemically treated to overcome the principal difficulties men-
tioned in the above paragraph, and under normal operating condi-
tions with tight hose connections and cylinder head gaskets
should be satisfactory for use in the cooling systems.
Glycerine or ethylene glycol should be used in accordance
with the instructions and in the proportions recommended by
the anti-freeze manufacturer.
In using a hydrometer to determine the temperature at which
a solution will freeze, the test must be made at the temperature
at which the hydrometer is calibrated. If the solution is warmer
or colder, it must be brought to this temperature or correction
must be made for the difference in temperature, otherwise large
errors may result. Freezing point hydrometers can not be used
interchangeably, a different float being required for denatured
alcohol, methanol, glycerine and ethylene glycol. In some cases
these errors may be as large as 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
Salt solutions, such as calcium or magnesium chloride, sodium
silicate, etc., honey, glucose and sugar solutions and oils are not
satisfactory for use in automobile radiators.
Capacity of Cooling System
The capacity of the cooling system is 6½ gallons when filled
to the level of the overflow pipe. The cooling system may be
filled to this level since the overflow pipe is connected to a con-
denser tank which operates automatically to prevent excessive
loss of the cooling liquid.
It is important that there are no leaks in the cooling system
and that the radiator cap is turned down so that it is air tight,
to insure proper operation of the condenser.
Winter Lubrication
Lubrication of the car requires special attention in winter, not
only to insure proper lubrication of the moving parts, but to
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secure the same ease of operation in starting, steering and shifting
gears as during warm weather.
The chart of engine oil recommendations on page 32 gives the
proper grade of oil to be used for cold weather driving. It will
be noted that lighter oils can be used for cold weather providing
no prolonged high speed driving is done. For prolonged high
speed driving, "Heavy duty" oils must be used. Authorized
Cadillac-La Salle Service Stations are prepared with full informa-
tion on winter lubrication.
The lubricant in the transmission and rear axle should be
thinned with kerosene as soon as the weather is so cold that the
transmission gears are hard to shift. If a sufficient amount of
kerosene is added to provide for the lowest winter temperature
expected, it will not be necessary to add kerosene again there-
after during the winter. Ten per cent (a little over half a pint)
of kerosene, if added, will take care of temperatures down to ten
below zero.
There are several lubricants on the market which have a low
enough pour point so that they will not require thinning. See an
authorized Cadillac-La Salle Service Station for information on
these lubricants. If one has been regularly used, no kerosene
should be added. Thinning of such a lubricant is not only un-
necessary, but defeats the purpose of using it because it would
have to be drained and replaced on return of warm weather.
Steering gear lubricant, in any case, should not be thinned as
the pressure between the worm and sector will force out the
thinned lubricant, resulting in excessive wear. A lubricant of
low enough cold test so as not to require thinning should be used.
Storage Battery
The electrical system of an automobile has much more to do
in winter than in summer. The engine is harder to crank and
must usually be cranked longer before it starts. The lights are
also used to much greater extent than during the long days of
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