Car Parts and Accessories

A roof rack can be useful when touring with a lot of luggage, but an excessive load on the roof will affect a car’s stability and steering.

Before buying a roof rack, check that it is suitable for your model of car. On many new cars, gutters are being eliminated, while some manufacturers provide special mounting points for roof ‘racks. Many brands sold in kit form are simple to fit and remove and will fit almost any car. Others are made to fit a particular car. Racks are commonly made of galvanized steel though a number of more expensive brands have plastic-covered bars.

Fitting a roof rack Assemble the rack, leaving loose the adjustable struts that will secure the rack to the roof gutter.

Positioning the rack in the centre of the roof is a job best done by two people so that damage to the paintwork is avoided. If necessary, use pads of plastic, fabric or cardboard at the points where the racks I are secured to the gutter.

Auto Roof Racks and Fuel Economy

A roof rack lowers a car’s cruising speeds and fuel economy so the rack should be removed d stored when not in regular use. Even empty roof rack reduces maximum zed by 4-6 km/h any I can increase fuel consumption by more than 5 per cent.

The way a roof rack is packed determines its effect on driving economy. Select cases and other luggage containers best suited to the shape and dimensions of the shape and dimensions of the rack. Pack as evenly as possible. The frontal area of the load should be as low as possible so step the smaller articles of a large load towards the rear of the rack; this causes minimum interference to air flowing over the car.

Wind resistance can be further reduced if the load is covered and tied down under a tarpaulin, or packed into a canvas bag held in place by strong elastic straps. Covering also gives weather protection.

On the average sedan a badly packed roof rack can reduce maximum speed by as much as 30 km/h and increase fuel consumption by up to 50 per cent. A well- packed rack reduces these figures by as much as a third.

Auto Roof Bars

Roof bars are commonly known as board racks because of their widespread use by surfers. They provide an easy and convenient means of carrying most long, flat objects—surf boards, water or snow skis, fishing rods, ladders, even small boats.

Brands are available to fit almost any vehicle. They are sold with all necessary attachments and can be fitted and secured to a car’s roof gutter in a few moments.

The load is best secured by strong elastic straps which hook over the bars on either side of the load.

Roof bars are generally fitted to carry some specific load regularly and with a minimum of inconvenience. The load is usually small and does not require covering, except perhaps in had weather.

What to carry on a long Auto Trip

The equipment to carry on a long trip depends on various factors such as the condition of the car, state of the roads and availability of garages and hotels.

Essential items, recommended even where garages are reasonably plentiful, are:

• Your car instruction manual
• A good set of tools with spanners to suit the car
• Spare wheel in good condition (Check tyre pressure before leaving)
• Jack in good working order
• Wheel brace
• Tow rope (Available at all AA offices)
• Spare fan belt (and power steering belt where applicable)
• Electric torch with batteries
• A spare set of car keys
• Some clean rags and hand cleaner
• First aid kit
• Warning triangles (when towing)
• Jumper leads (available from AA offices)

For journeys over isolated routes, make sure that the car is in sound mechanical condition before you leave. The following additional equipment may prove useful in emergencies:

• 5-litre can of water
• Container of brake fluid
• Some engine oil
• A radiator sealant
• 10-metre length of 16 mm manila rope
• Tyre levers, pump and puncture repair outfit
• Spare fuses and globes for lights
• Roll of binding wire
• Roll of insulation tape
• 4 metres of insulated electric wire
• Two empty sacks or mats
• Small spade and an axe

Also carry a reasonable range of spare parts including:

• Set of distributor points and condenser (unless vehicle is fitted with an electric pointless ignition system)
• Distributor rotor and cap
• Spark-plugs
• Spare fuel pump
• A spare fuel filter
• Spare radiator hoses and clips
•  Tyre valves
• Assortment of bolts, nuts, washers and split pins

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