A COURSE IN AUTOMOBILE OWNERSHIP A Project Presented to the Faculty of the School of Education The University of Southern California In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science in Education by Robert Stevenson Goulet August 1950 UMI Number: EP46334 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Dissertation Publishing UMI EP46334 Published by ProQuest LLC (2014). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106- 1346 r <j & C9 T Fr . This project report, written under the direction of the candidate’s adviser and approved by him, has been presented to and accepted by the Faculty of the School of Education in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Education. ?. Date .7. ................................. Adviser Dean TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE................................................... vi CHAPTER PAGE 1. ASK THE MAN WHO OWES FOR ONE: HOW TO MANAGE THE FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS FOR YOUR C A R .................... 1 1. AUTO YOU DECIDE: How to choose the type of car to buy.............................................. 1 2. A FEW LOCAL MILES: How to select new and used cars.........................................22 3. NO DOWN PAYMENT: How to pay for, or finance your c a r .........................................29 4. IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU: How to insure your car . .29 5* PUT OUT TO PASTURE: How to decide when to buy a new car or keep the old o n e ................. 30 6. MORE THAN YOU KNOW: How to keep car expenses under control.....................................31 2. THE PICTURE OF HEALTH: HOW TO PROVIDE FOR THE BEST CARE OF YOUR AUTOMOBILE.........................35 1. LOVE THAT LUBE: How to provide for good grease jobs.......... ........................... 35 2. NOT LONG TO LIVE: How to get quality repair jobs and services ..........................3& 3. FILL HER UP: How to buy gasoline best suited for your c a r ....................................37 CHAPTER PAGE 4. IT’S OIL UP TO YOU: How to select oil for your c a r .........................................38 5. TREADS AMONG THE GOLD: How to get the most out of your t i r e s .............................. 39 6. EFFICIENCY EXPERT: How to measure the utility of your c a r ............................ 43 7. A PAIN IN THE HEAD: How to tell the mechanic what to repair . ......................45 8. AMATEUR MECHANIC: How to do owner maintenance .45 3. FACTS OF LIFE: HOW TO OPERATE UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS.................................... .65 1. SNOW FOOLIN’: How to provide for your car in cold weather ...................... . . . . 6 6 2. HADES HINGES: How to care for your car in hot weather . . . . . ..................... ..66 3. NOT FOR CALIFORNIANS: How to operate your car when it is rainy ..................68 4. DARK DEEDS: How to drive at nigjit............. 69 5. GET OUT AIR) GET UNDER: How to start a stalled c a r .....................................70 6. BANG: How to stop a car with a blowout . . . .71 7. A’INT SHE PRETTY: How to drive a new car . . .72 8. WHEELIN’ AND DEALIN’: How to park your car under various conditions ................. ...72 Iv CHAPTER PAGE 9. FENDER BENDER: How to report traffic mishaps. . 73 10. KEEP AN EYE PEELED: How to interpret dash board instruments 76 11. JESSE JAMESES: How to report your car has been s t o l e n ......................................79 12. WHERE THERE’S SMOKE: How to avoid fire hazards to your c a r ............................. 79 13- YOU CAN’T BE STUCK: How to drive in sand, snow, and m u d ....................................82 14* JUST LIKE A GOOD FRIEND: How to treat the entire c a r ........................................82 TECHNICAL BOOK COLLECTION: Specialized books on this subject................................ . . . 8 8 V LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ILLUSTRATION PAGE 1. The 1950 Chevrolet ......................... . . . . 3 2. The 1950 Pontiac........................... 3. The 1950 Oldsmobile .. ................... A • The 1950 Cadillac .......................... 5. The 1950 Buick .............................. 6. The 1950 Dodge .............................. 7. The 1950 DeSoto ............................ 8. The 1950 Plymouth..................... .. 9. The 1950 Chrysler ......................... 10. The 1950 F o r d .............................. 11. The 1950 Lincoln ............................ 12. The 1950 Mercury......................... .. . . . .14 13. The 1950 Packard........................... i— The 1950 Studebaker . . . . . . ........... . . . .17 1 t 13. The 1950 N a s h ............................ 16. The 1950 Hudson ............... . . . . . . 17. The 1951 K a i s e r ....................... .. 18. The 1950 Willys **Jeepsterrt................. 19. The Hydra-Matic type Automatic Transmission . . . . 24 20. The Dyna--flow type Automatic Transmission 21. The Chrysler type Automatic Transmission . . 22. The Borg Warner Automatic Transmission . • . . . . .27 ILLUSTRATION PAGE 23* Tire Wear Patterns.................................. 44 24. Tire Dimensions.................................... 40 25. Tire Rotation...................................... 42 26. Fan Belt adjustment....................... . . . . 5 3 26a. Working an Auto Jack................................47 27* Blocking a Wheel.................................... 48 28. Wheel Bolt Tightening Order ...................... 50 29. Removing a Wheel.................................... 51 30. Clutch and Brake Freeplay......................... 59 31. Excessive Play in a Steering Wheel.................60 32. An Engine Temperature Gauge .......... 78 33* An Oil Pressure G a u g e ..............................80 34* An Ampmeter........................................ 81 35* Parking a Car Downhill........... 74 36. Parking a Car Uphill................................75 37. State Accident Report ............................ 77 PREFACE Learning to drive an automobile is only a part of the total picture of automobile ownership. The other part of this situation is the consuming of the automobile that is owned. This course offers that other all important part, the owning of a car. It is not difficult to master. This par ticular course was designed for persons who know little or nothing about the various ramifications of automobile owner ship. Statistics show that twenty percent of all automobile accidents are caused by faulty mechanical equipment. Most of these could have been avoided had the drivers been able to recognize the symptoms of approaching mechanical failures, and had them repaired. Millions of dollars are spent by the American motoring public each year for mechanical repairs. Many of these jobs are extremely simple to do. The problem of good, honest and inexpensive repairs is present, too. Money can be saved on all these angles of auto repair. This course will show you how. Owning an automobile has a responsibility both from the driving end and the consuming end. 1 CHAPTER 1. ASK THE MAN WHO OWES FOR ONE HOW TO MANAGE THE FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS FOR YOUR CAR A. MOTIVATION: Remunerations that come from doing your transactions by this method* 1. NO LEMONS: The car chosen will be a good one. 2. THE RIGHT CAR: You can pick the correct new or used car. 3* GOOD FINANCING: The properly financed car is not a burden. 4* CORRECT INSURANCE: Buying the proper amount of insurance is important. 5- GOOD TURN IN: You can save money when turning in your auto. 6. ECONOMICAL OWNERSHIP: Correct economics for your car will save you money. B. DIRECTIONS: Helpful hints on the financial transactions of your car. 1. AUTO YOU DECIDE: How to choose the type of car to buy. a. Buy one large enough to accommodate your present and near future needs when purchasing a family car. b. When buying a car for your personal use select