MODERN MOTORING

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 224, 22 September 1925, Page 10

MODERN MOTORING

LIGHTING-UP TIMES. To-day 6.17 p.m. Wednesday 6.17 p.m. Thursday 6.18 p.m. Friday 6.19 p.m. Saturday 6.20 p.m. Sunday 6.21 p.m. Monday 6.22 p.m. NEW SEASON'S MODELS. What are the novelties in store for us in the coming summer? asks a writer in a London paper. Well, he says, the six-cylinder engine is going to come much more fully into its own next season—and there are some surprises in "eights." For the lirst time in our history we shall have a good sprinkling of such engines in the inexpensive ear class. The problem with six-cylinder engines has not been to reproduce the theoretic advantages over the four in practice, but to obtain them at a reasonable cost. Rut a good deal has been learnt in the last year or two, and it is now possible to produce a really good six economically. We already have ample evidence of this fact in several of the. American and Canadian cars on the market. We shall also see several improvements in regard to four-wheel brake design. New methods of operation will be found on several leading makes, and the tendency is to use direct mechanical power on the better cars. In some cases vacuum is employed to operate these brakes; and in others compressed air.

ASTOUNDING MOTOR CAR FIGURES. A great deal has been heard lately of the immense prosperity of the United States and of the*widespread diffusion ' of that wealth as illustrated by the American working man's motor car. • Some recent figures of the output of passenger cars in the United States fully bear out these stories. In April, 1925, the American production of such ears was 391,295. Tt has only been possible to obtain an estimate for the corresponding British output in April, 1925, but it may be said with confidence that the number of such cars made in Britain was about 13,500. "It will be seen." comments an English writer, "that the American production is 30 times more than our own. The discrepancy is too great to contemplate without the feeling that something is wrong on this side of the Atlantic." TO DIM OR NOT? For years the Royal Automobile Club of Great Britain has been considering the question of headlights on motor cars with a view to making recommendations which would provide for greater safety, and a Royal commission has also been appointed. But so far no reports have been issued on this intricate subject: There haivc been a number of accidents in Christchuroh due to glaring headlights and also to "dimmed" lights. This is a matter to which much attention has been given, but as in the case of the English body, no definite recommendations have yet been made. So far as can be gathered from those who drive cars, high-powered headlights in the city and suburbs arc considered entirely out of place, as the street lighting shows up all obstructions, and therefore bright headlights tend only to increase danger by dazzling pedestrians and drivers of cars travelling in an opposite direction. On the other hand, on country roads, 'bright headlights arc recommended, but these should lie •switched off when cars arc approaching each other, and the smaller bulbs should be kept switched on until the cars have passed. It appears to be the general opinion, also, that headlights should be swivelled . with the steering wheel, as by this provision any change in the direction of tho ear would be at once indicated. BALLOON TYRES. A FEW QUERIES AND ANSWERS. The following questions and answers regarding balloon tyres were prepared by a leading motor engineer, after several months road tests on this type of tyre:— -' 1. Is the effect or "balloon tyres to produce easier riding? Yes, they are able i by virtue of their low air pressure and their larger contact area, to absorb many of the irregularities in the road which are apparent to passengers in cars equipped with full pressure tyres. 2. What effect have they on skiddin"-' This tendency is greatly reduced because of the increased traction service.

3 Is steering harder with balloon tyres? The general effect is for easier steering than comes with the ordinary tyre, though there is a need for greater exertion in starting the car. At other times the car can be handled more easily with balloon tyres. 4. Do balloon tyres lower the speed of a car? No, there is not the same need to slow down on troublesome Toads as is found with regulation tyres; therefore the - average speed level is higher with balloon equipment. 5. Is it easier to stop a car with balloon tyres? Yes, because they grip the ground more closely with their extra area of contact. 6. What mileage will they give? There seems every indication that their mileage will not be lower than is that of the ordinary tyre. 7. How about gasoline consumption? If balloon tyres are used as per their recommended pressure they should use no more gas than the high-pressure tyre consumes. 8. Do balloon tyres lower car power? Not if they are used in accordance with instructions as to load and inflation.

NOTES and COMMENTS LOCAL amp GENERAL^ BY SPAKKWCLL

NEXT YEAR'S NUMBERS. The now number-plates for 192 C, according to the requirements of the Government, will be of No. 24 gauge sheet steel. The plates will have a letter on them to indicate the class, that is whether private car, truck, lorry, or taxi. There will bo 110.000 plates with the letter A, 1500 with B, 8500 with C, 5000 with D, 500 with E, and 6000 with F. There will be .'IO,OOO motor-cycle plates without a letter, and 1000 with the letter D. This makes a total of 162,500. ! MORE RECORDS. : A remarkable speed was recently i attained on Rrooklands track, England. : on the occasion of a sporting match for £500 a-sido between two of England's i greatest competitive drivers. The con- ; testants were .T. G. Thomas (7266 c.c. ; Leyland) and E. A. Eldridge (21,714 c.c. . Fiat), the distance being three laps— iBl miles. The pace-was terrrific from s the start, the monster Fiat jumping - away with the lead. Roth were driving ! high up the banking. After a hairi raising speed exhibition Thomas won by 200 yards, finishing at a speed of over - 130 miles per hour. The Leyland covered - its fastest lap at 1201 miles per hour. The 1 Fiat's best was 1251 miles per hour. I Thomas subsequently established new I figures for the world's hour record, the new mileage being 110 miles 1221 yards. > The previous best was Thomas' own 5 record, he having in 1024 covered 10!) miles 160 yards in 60 minutes.

AN APPEAL FOR MEMBERS. I , In their campaign for increased mem- ; bership, the Wellington Automobile Club is using as an appeal to the motorist leaflet which reflects great credit on its author or authors. The slogan is: '•Every motorist wants better roads, better traffic control, up-to-date road * information, a live body guarding his interests. You can help to secure these benefits by joining the Wellington Automobile Club." There is no doubt that for everybody concerned, the general public, as well as the motorist himself, it would be much better if the Automobile Club did include in its membership the vast majority of motorists—if possible, all. Everybody prefers to deal with a representative body rather than with a stream of individuals, and conversely the representative body has far greater strength in tho protection and promotion of its legitimate interests than a minority concern. The general public, the pedestrian public, would be better pleased to place its grievances before such a club powerful enough to control the motorist than to complain to the polico or the Rress. Such a club could do far more to improve road manners and safeguard the public than any number of expensive court cases. There would be fewer "road hogs" if there were more members of the Automobile Club. PRESCRIBING FOR CARS. Like a good doctor I never prescribe the same medicine for every patient, even if the symptons and troubles seem to mc the same. Every car, like humans, is different. I know one owner whose motor carbonises too quickly. I know him well enough to be sure it's the design of the engine, and not his own carelessness. Well, there's a way to cut down carbon deposits by pouring into the cylinders, through the pc'S cocks, a little bit of a mixture of kerosene and alcohol. So I suggested this remedy, and told him how and when to do it I know i-.iiotlicr owner whose motor carbonises just as quickly, but I wouldn't suggest the same remedy because it is a different type of motor, and. it is in different condition. The piston rings are badly worn. If I suggested this remedy the owner might find himself diluting the oil in the crank-case instead of softening and loosening ihe carbon in the cylinder. » There's the difference. Also I have to take into consideration the difference in owners. One man might apply the remedy correctly, while another might overdo it. But I don't even have to go this far. I just consider tho difference in the cars, just as a doctor considers the difference in constitutions. What's tonic for one. is poison for anobher.

One of my customers has a . chronic defect in tlie carburetion. There is a very annoying break in the flow of gas vapour into the cylinders at a certain speed of the car. Unless tho owner presses out the clutch for an instant when passing through, this speed the whole car bucks, so I told him to go ahead pressing out the clutch. I've another customer with the same trouble, but I can't tell him to follow the same rule, because the clutch in his car -won't stand it. I've ?ot to think of a different remedy for him, or I'll be giving him more trouble than he's already got

STUCK IN THE MUD. When the car becomes stuck in the mud, do not try to put on speed to set out, for this will only spin the wheels and make them sink deeper. Put the engine in low, ? o slow, and do not try to turn from side to side. Keen straight ahead. If the front wheels are turned, the engine must push the ear against the weight of the mud ahead. If the wheels start .pinnin.» put on the emergency brake just enough to stop the spin. That will frequently enable them to take hold. If it is possible, get any old rope, board, bushes, sacks or even a quantity of paper and put it under the wheels to help give traction. Jt is also advisable to apply chains before tackling wet or muddy roads. *