Chevrolet's "Car Conservation Plan"
March 23, 1942 Life Article

March 23, 1942 Life [Table of Contents] Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early technology. See articles from Life magazine, published 1883-1972. All copyrights hereby acknowledged.

Some things never change, as the old saying goes. One of those things is adopting a good preventive maintenance plan for your car or truck. Oil, transmission, and cooling system fluid level and condition are tasks even the least mechanically inclined amongst us can do ourselves. So is inspecting and replacing if necessary intake and cabin air filters. Checking the condition of brakes, suspension parts, body panel integrity (corrosion and proper fastening), and other easily inspected components my not be the purview of most motorists, but friends and/or professional servicemen can take care of that for you. Admittedly, there is a large amount of not just unserviceable but incomprehensible technology on modern cars (computers, fuel injection, tire pressure monitors, backup cameras, radar and sonar systems, etc.), so those maintenance responsibility of those areas must be ceded to highly trained technicians. This appeal to automobile owners to do their part in conserving resources appeared in a 1942 issue of Life magazine at a time when the U.S. had recently joined the second world war (following the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor). The vast amount of material that would be required to obtain victory over advancing Communist and Fascist forces of Axis militaries required a diligent effort by citizens to conserve. A familiar saying during the WWII era was "Use it up. Wear it out. Make it do, or do without."

Chevrolet's "Car Conservation Plan"

Now's the time to prolong your car's life by following Chevrolet's "Car Conservation Plan"

Conserve Tires

by having your Chevrolet dealer check wheel alignment

Conserve Gas

by checking engine, carburetor, fuel pump

Conserve Oil

by keeping engine at top running efficiency

Conserve Engine

by having a motor tune-up

Conserve Transmission

by having it carefully checked and serviced

Conserve Brakes

by having brakes and linings checked regularly

Conserve Cooling System

by checking radiator, water pump, thermostat, etc.

Conserve Every Vital Part

by getting periodical lubrication and expert service

Always see your local Chevrolet Dealer for service on any car or truck

A Mobile Nation is a Strong Nation

(1) Observe the simple, fundamental rules of car care, such as checking tire inflation, battery, oil, water, etc.

(2) Get a thrifty service "check-up" at your Chevrolet dealer's now, and avoid large repair bills later.

(3) See your Chevrolet dealer regularly and let him help you keep your car serving reliably for the duration.

Chevrolet Motor Division, General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Michigan

Posted December 20, 2022