1938 LaSalle Production - GM Heritage Center

Gasoline Economy
Tire Life
The number of actual miles per gallon that any owner
gets from any car depends upon a large number of factors,
some of which the owner can control and some he cannot.
Factors over which the owner has little, if any, control are
the condition of the road surfaces, the number of hills and
turns, the amount of traffic, and the climatic conditions,
particularly the wind and temperature.
Careful attention to the controllable factors will, however,
enable any owner to increase considerably his gasoline
mileage. The factors to be considered are:
1. Speed—The charts on pages 32 and 33 indicate emphatically
how much you can save by driving at
moderate speeds.
2. Stopping—Coast to a gradual stop whenever possible.
This saves both fuel and brake lining.
3. Idling—Shut off the engine while parked, even for a
few minutes, in front of stores or homes, or when waiting
for long freight trains at railroad crossings. Idling,
except to warm up a cold engine, is sheer waste.
4. Lubrication—Keep both the engine and chassis well
lubricated at all times.
5. Tires—Keep your tires properly inflated to avoid excessive
road friction.
Maximum tire life can be secured by careful attention to
a few essential details of care and driving habits, namely:
1. Keep the tires properly inflated at all times.
2. Avoid spinning the wheels when starting.
3. Avoid sudden stops.
4. Turn corners at moderate speeds.
5. Steer around bumps, ruts, or minor obstructions in
the roads.
6. Keep out of car tracks.
7. Do not bump or scrape the curb when parking.
8. Keep the front wheels in proper alignment.
9. Interchange the tires, left to right, and front to rear,
every 4,000 miles.
6. Mechanical Condition—Your engine must be kept "in
tune" to use its fuel economically. Periodic adjustments
of the ignition system and occasional valve regrinds
will pay for themselves in gasoline saved.
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