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1949 Dodge Wayfarer,
SN# 37032385
Photographs from
ALL ANGLES

1949 Dodge Wayfarer
OWNERS MANUAL

DESIGN
Style, size,
exterior details,
interior details

MECHANICAL
Engine, carburator, transmission, brakes, wheels frame, shock absorbers

PRICES
Wayfarer, Coronet, Meadowbrook and models

CONTACT
1949 Dodge Wayfarer

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WHEELS AND TIRES

INFLATION PRESSURES – The tires on your car were carefully selected to provide excellent riding stability, long life and smart appearance. How much you benefit from these advantages depends on the care and service you give your tires. Proper inflation and planned rotation will lengthen tire life and reduce the possibility of premature failure.

TIRE PRESSURES – The inflation pressures recommended for your car depend on [1] whether the tires are cold [for example, after standing overnight] or [2] whether the tires have been run several hours creating pressure build-up. When tires are COLD, correct tire pressure is 24 pounds. Because inflation pressure is seldom checked when tires are cold, the following recommendations are made:

27 pounds is the normal operating pressure at moderate speeds

in the city. This is the correct tire pressure after a car has been driven

at normal speeds in the city, summer or winter. A pressure build-up of at

least three pounds over starting pressure of 24 pounds is normal-

otherwise tires are under-inflated.

29 pounds is the normal operating pressure at high speeds.

This means that after a car has been driven at a high rate of speed, a pressure build-up of at least 5 pounds over the starting pressure of 24 pounds is normal-otherwise tires are under-inflated.

Never Reduce Or ''Bleed'' Tires Below Recommended Pressures.

Tire inflation pressures should be checked weekly with an accurate gauge. Avoid under-inflation to prevent excessive side-wall flexing and irregular or rapid tire wear.

Avoid over-inflation to prevent road shocks, tire fabric breaks, rapid or irregular wear and reduction of skid resistance.

Reinstall tire valve caps after checking tire pressures. They serve a useful function in keeping dirt out and sealing the valve opening against loss of air pressure.

TIRE ROTATION - Maximum tire life can be obtained if the following precautions are observed:

• Maintain correct tire inflation pressures.
• Avoid continuous high speed driving.
• Avoid excessive speeds on curves, unnecessary braking and spinning the wheels on fast acceleration.
• Avoid striking sharp objects or sharp edges of holes in the road.
• Rotate tires at recommended intervals.

The need for tire rotation is brought about by the driving forces applied to the rear wheels, the steering effort applied by the front wheels and by the varying contour of road surfaces. Rotation of tires every 2500 miles, as indicated in the accompanying diagram, is the only way to even out irregular tire wear at the different wheel positions. The spare wheel should be utilized to gain additional tire mileage.

CAUTION: Once a tire rotation procedure is started, this same procedure should be followed every 2500 miles throughout the life of a set of tires.

WHEEL ALIGNMENT – Front wheel alignment is carefully set at the factory and rechecked by your Dodge dealer prior to the delivery of your car. Alignment adjustments, however disturbed by striking an obstruction hard enough to distort some part of the front support mechanism. Alignment should be checked after each year of operation, otherwise only when the car fails to steer properly or when involved in an accident.

WHEEL BALANCING – Wheel balancing is generally considered unnecessary unless the tires are worn very unevenly or some special tire of other than the original make and type has been installed, or when a tire casing has been repaired by vulcanizing or by the use of a "boot". The need for balancing wheels may be indicated by excessive steering wheel "fight" on smooth pavements at speeds above 30 miles per hour. Balancing operations will seldom correct unusual tire wear.

BUMPER JACK – A sturdy bumper jack is conveniently stowed back of the spare wheel in the luggage compartment.

When you need the bumper jack for emergency wheel changing in case of a flat tire, use the jack handle wrench to remove the spare wheel from its carrier. Then lower the lifting pad on the bumper jack to release the tension in the anti-rattle spring. Lift the jack over the wheel carrier, remove the spring and disengage the base from the raised metal lip on the floor.

TIRE AND WHEEL CHANGING – Tire changing is made easy with the help of the bumper jack if this suggested procedure is followed:

1. Set the hand brake and block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to be changed.
2. Remove the hub cap with a screw driver [this applies to the combination hub cap and wheel trim ring] and slightly loosen the wheel cap screws.
3. Place the jack in position with the lifting pad under the bumper [see illustrations]. Insert the jack handle and raise the jack cam, Pump the handle to raise the car to a height just sufficient to free the wheel to be removed.
4. Remove the wheel cap screws, the tire and the wheel.
5. Install the spare tire and wheel on the hub and replace the cap screws.
6. Lower the car by tripping the jack cam and then pumping the jack handle in the same manner as when raising the car.
7. Check to make sure the cap screws are tight. Give each cap screw an extra turn with the jack handle when the wheel is on the ground.
8. Install the hub cap with a sharp blow of the hand. The combination hub cap and wheel trim is installed by pressing it into place around the wheel.
9. Replace the bumper jack in the luggage compartment by engaging the raised lip in the base slot, inserting the spring in the lifting pad and then raising the pad to put tension on the spring.

TUBE REPAIR – The cold patch method of repairing butyl rubber tubes is not satisfactory and should not be attempted by the owner. When tube repair is necessary, butyl tubes should be vulcanized according to the procedure established for synthetic rubber tubes.