RESTRAINT PAYS.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20789, 24 February 1933, Page 6

RESTRAINT PAYS.

RUNNING IN THE NEW CAR. THE FIRST 500 MILES. A now car is rather like a pair of new shoes: it is apt to be stiff and not very pliable, and it requires a little use before it is, so to speak, thoroughly lissom in ail its parts. It used to be a common practice for some of the important motor manufacturers to issue a 'warning that a speed of more than 20 to 25 miles an hour should not be attempted until the car had run, say, 000 miles. One firm at least went even further and used to lit a washer in the inlet pipe so arranged as to restrict the How of gas from tho carburettor to the engine. This automatically limited speed. This practice- was abandoned because it rendered cars somewhat unresponsive in traffic on occasions when it might bo necessary to move quickly. | None the Jess, the practice was sound, and except for tho most expensive cars which have been completely bench and road tested beforo delivery, and are handed over completely "run in," all ears will last far longer, without giving trouble, if tlicv are used very sedately for the first 500 to 1000 miles. Hill Climbing. Actually fast revving of the engine I of a new car is not in itself harmful. ! What does do harm is heavy overloading of the bearings of the crankshaft and camshaft. Thus, it does a new car infinitely more harm to be driven even slowly up a hill on a high gear than it does to run it fast on a low gear, because in tho former case all the engine bearings are being heavily stressed, whereas in the latter case the load on tho bearings is relatively light. Actually, however, it is not only the engine that requires caro when it is new; the gear box, tho transmission, tho shackles,- steering joints—all require bedding down to their work, and tho motorist who deliberately sacrifices bursts of speed for tho first 500 miles will find his forbearance pays him in tho long run, in the shape of muchreduced overhaul bills and vastly pleasanter running of tho ear when the time comes to open the throttle in narnest. Form of Self-Denial. Do not, therefore, feel annoyed if someone on an exactly similar car passes you on an apparently straight and easy road; and, whatever you do, do not attempt to pusli down tho little pedal and set off in pursuit. You may not "ruin" your engine, but you will undoubtedly do it harm, and you may well be laying up for yourself a costly replacement bill for bearings and pistons. If it is found too irksome to stick to this form of self-denial, spend a pound or so on petrol and leave tho engine running at a tick-over for an hour or two at a time outside its garage. This is an almost ideal way of running in an engine, and if, as is tho caso with so many cars to-day; 25 miles aro obtainable from a gallon, 20 gallons of petrol thus expended will bo the equivalent of approximately 500 miles on the road. Then and then only can you really j push the car along. DRIVING POSITION. 1 MOTORISTS' TENDENCY TO * LOUNGE. The driving seats of modern cars are so comfortable that the tendency on the part of. somo motorists is to lounge at the wheel and become careless. In order to drive a car well and thus safely, it is absolutely necessary to bo on the alert and ready for any emergency. The driver who lolls back in a careless manner is seldom alert, because his nerves and senses arc at rest, Tho effort of changing gear is o\en spared him to a largo extent in the latest ears. Drivers should not sacrifice safety to comfort. A good example of the correct driving position is shown by any racing motorist, who -ia invariably seated bolt upright, thus commanding perfect control over his car, ready for tho slightest emergency. Tho risks run by the racing driver are, of course, greater, and cannot bo compared with those of the ordinary motorist. Nevertheless, it is the fundamental principle that counts, and the touring motorist should be as ready for contingencies as tho racing driver is on the road or track. Some motorists may say, "Oh, but I can drive much, better when I am lying back comfortably at tho wheel." The reply is that if they were to sit in a correct driving position they could drive twice as well and moro safely. There is no doubt that the risk of: accident on tho road can bo nfinimised by alertness, anticipation, and concentration, all of which are intensified by a corroct driving position. / | :—: DRIVING LICENSES IN GERMANY. The regulations relating to the obtaining o£ a driving license in Germany are such as would provoke a revolution in any South American country. But the Germans are a patient nation. First of all, nobody is allowed to teach anyone to drive a car unless he has a special license from the authorities to do so. If you happen to have a car and want to teach your son or daughter to drive it, you must not do so. But beforo going to the teacher the prospective student must undergo a medical examination. The charge for this is 10 marks. Having satisfied the physician, you go to an authorised teacher, whose charges aro between seven and 10 guineas, and enter a. course of training. The teacher will expect you to supplyhip with a photograph, a medical certificate, a birth certificate, and a police registration certificate. If you happen to take driving lessons outside tho town where you live, you have to provide the teacher with a "good conduct" certificate supplied by your local police authorities. The police are instructed to investigate the character of tho applicant, particularly with regard to thefts, drunkenness, and rowdyism. Any of these offences may in certain cases disqualify the applicant. Tho driving examination is also very thorough, and comprises a theoretical and practical knowledge of tho engine, driving, police regulations, and so on. Having successfully surmounted all this you are entitled to get your driving license. But you must .pay for it first — the equivalent of seven shillings.— The "Autocar."

When a spring becomes broken, a block of wood can be substituted for an emergeny period. Jack up the body until it is the height at which the spring should hold it, then place a block of wood of the proper size between the'axle and the frame. Paßten this in place with a wire rope and drive earefully. v