MODERN MOTORING.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 224, 22 September 1925, Page 12

MODERN MOTORING.

SYNTHETIC GAS.

NEW ENGINE DESIGNED.

An automobile of revolutionary design, driven by a new and powerful "brand of synthetic gasoline, is about to be offered to the public. It is revealed by a chemical engineer of national reputation attending tho convention here of the American Chemical Society (says the Los Angeles correspondent of a Christchurch paper). Financiers behind the project, which involves a £1,000,000,000 business mciv gcr, are not ready to make an official announcement of their plans, but details of the proposed gigantic deal have been •laboratory gossip among technical men for months, according to this authoritative information. The proposed merger involves leading anotor and petroleum iirms, it was learned. One firm will instal the sensational engine in its makes of automobiles, according to the proposed scheme. Another company will make the new motor fuel in its vast laboratories, out of raw materials accumulated by the third as a buying organisation. Distribution of the fuel will be effected by a nation-wide chain of oil stations. The new fuel, which is to be marketed under the name of "synthol," may be manufactured from petroleum, coal, or lignite. Its base, according to analysts who have tested the product, is benzol. Several varieties of alcohol and a mysterious metallic catalyst, not unlike tetrathyl lead, make up the mixture. Its action in the new motor designed for its use is said to be more nearly like steam power than any internal combustion engine yet devised. The gas in tho cylinders, at 'higher compression than used" in an ordinary engine, expands without explosive force and hisses from the exhaust valves like escaping steam, according to technicians who Lave watched the workings of the motor. These advantages alone would place the new motor and' its fuel far ahead of any automobile, now on the market, it was said. In addition, it is claimed that tho new motor is never troubled by carbon deposits, no poisonous fumes are generated, and because of the extreme smoothness of the power impulses the engine has a flexibility undreamed of by those acquainted with internal combustion motors. Gear shifting is practically unnecessary because, like a steam engine, the • motor is almost as efficient at low speeds as when running in normal high. Tlie new automobiles will run approximately 40 miles to the gallon, although extra figures on the efficiency tests of the motor and fuel are said to be guarded with the greatest secrecy. A NOVEL SUGGESTION. At present the city motor inspectors have no indication whether a motorist lias his license to drive. The Canterbun' Automobile Association is arranging for a neat windscreen transfer for the use of its members. The suggestion was made at the meeting of the association last week that an undertaking should be obtained from the authorities that no motorist should he, stopped if he has such a transfer. Motorists would give a guarantee to the association that no person without a license would be allowed to drive the car. It was mentioned that probably a small charge would have to be made for each transfer. ITOTES BY THE WAY. Rodney County wants the Highways Board to give it out of the highways fund (i.e., the motor tax) contributions of £3 for £1 of county money on both construction and maintenance on all Government roads and main highways ,in the county. The Christchurch City Council has notified Mr. R. E. Green that his renewal of his license to drive a motor car, which was withheld on the grounds of deafness, has now been granted. Mr. Green was examined by two doctors prior to this decision, and drove through traffic with one of them. He has been a motor driver for many year 3, and has never had a mishap. A South Invercargill resident was aroußed from his slumbers by the loud noise of a? motor car engine running at high speed just outside the house. " Some fellow skidded in the mud," lie muttered; then fell asleep again. The next morning, what should he find but his own car, very much the worse for wear and with one wheel buried in the mud on the sida of the road. The thief had driven from the garage to the road, but there he had come to grief. While motoring to Blenheim from Hillersden, Mr. S. E. Field had a sfartling experience. Some three miles on the far side of the Waihopai bridge he encountered a deer on the roadside, the animal, startled by the car's headlights, running along the road for some distance at the side of the car. Finally the deer—a hind—made a leap, and landed on top of the car's radiator, w T hence it fell to the ground, one, wheel of the car passing over it. The car was ■within an ace of being upset, but Mr. Field succeeded in averting disaster and polled up. HELPI UL HINT 3. Thrust bearings in the clutch require frequent lubrication to insure smooth clutch action. A dry bearing will drag and act as though the plates are not releasing. A light grease at that point is better than oil. It is noticeable that tyre covers' for spare tyres are becoming increasingly popular as part of the make-up of the standard car. Apart from protecting tlie tyre, a well-made cover adds to the appearance of the car. When parking or leaving a "tight" space, shop windows can be of great assistance by watching the reflection of the back of the car and the car at back of it. This obviates the necessity of asking for assistance if there is room to back a little further. _ When a master gear or pinion gear is broken, always replace both. They are matched in pairs, and replacing will result in a quieter adjustment. Then too sometimes the broken parts will WvT 16 - a tooth orl lll « opposite gear, r3ri7 \., Bot show U P Ul,til a considerable distance. otSr e^- replaCing ground wire * or any a ways v s r e ea th° P n ,n t,,e stel "< taken out S? mc SlZe Wires as those wHteS" m ca P aci ty of the original cither S CC 0 d r wir V* WUI at^ q P uTnTKvSr S at all tl Uld F *** the year, when 3„ , thlS Season of they must ™X" w ". , lf d » bl " lot .cutter. """' S « !r ™ »W to

EUMOUR AWHEEL.

Lawyer (helping pedestrian up): Come with mc, my man. You can get damages. Pedestrian (groggy) : H'vens, man, I got all the damages I want. Get mc some repairs. Wife: Why don't you help mc out of the ear? You're not so gallant as you used to be when I was a gal. Husband: That's nothing; you*re not so buoyant as you used to be when 1 was a boy.''