From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
List of instructions for customers on how to properly store their car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 144\1\ scan0314 | |
| Date | 11th March 1940 guessed | |
| ADVICE TO CUSTOMERS FOR THE STORAGE OF CARS. 1. Thoroughly wash and polish car. 2. To prevent damage by moths to upholstery, well brush and then sprinkle with one of the special powders available (this powder can be supplied by the local coachbuilder). All cushions, mats and other detachable parts should be wrapped in paper or paper bags after treatment. 3. Clean all bright parts and lightly smear with vaseline (such vaselining is both unnecessary and undesirable in the case of parts having untarnishable finish). 4. Drain petrol from the main tank and autovac (if fitted). After draining, the engine should be run until all petrol is completely used up, thereby ensuring that no chemical action or deposit will take place in the units such as petrol pump, carburetter, filter etc. 5. When the engine is cold, inject about two tablespoonfuls of engine oil through the sparking plug holes of each cylinder, and turn the engine by hand a few times to distribute this oil over the cylinder walls. 6. Jack up both axles to take all the weight off the tyres. As a safety precaution, blocks should be placed under the axles. Do not deflate tyres, but cover them with rugs or sacks to exclude light, the effect of which is injurious. 7. Jack out the clutch by means of a piece of wood placed between the pedal and the steering column bracket. 8. If there is any danger of freezing, drain out the water system. This should preferably be done when the engine is hot, and the radiator cap left off for a day or two to allow the radiator tubes to thoroughly dry. 9. Remove battery and send to a local battery service station to be maintained during storage. Once every seven to ten days the engine, gearbox and rear axle should be revolved by hand. This can be done either by leaving the clutch jacked out, turning the engine by the starting handle, placing the gear lever in first gear and winding round one of the back wheels, or by letting in the clutch, placing the gear lever in first gear and winding round one of the back wheels, or by letting in the clutch, placing the gear lever in first gear, and winding engine, gear box and axle by the starting handle. 10. The one-shot lubricating pedal should be pressed once at the beginning and once at the completion of storage. 11. The storage place should be dry and dark, well ventilated, and preferably heated. -continued- | ||