Auto Gossip

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31669, 3 May 1968, Page 9

Auto Gossip

by

A.J.P.

Narrow Escape My car was rejected for a warrant of fitness because of a loose wheel-bearing, so round to my garage I went. But in the process of adjustment, a very serious fault came to light: the disc brake caliper was broken and was held in position by one bolt only. Total brake failure could have resulted at any time. The heavily-rusted fracture in the casting showed the break had been there for a long time, possibly since the car was new 17 months ago. The fault had gone unnoticed in warrant of fitness checks and casual inspections. The warning seems clear: a thorough inspection of all brake components at regular intervals is essential for safety. There could so easily have been another of those unexplained accidents. Lights On At some time or another I think all of us have climbed into our cars at night and driven off on a city street without putting the lights on. But we usually discover our omission within a few yards, and switch on. However, it is becoming quite common in Christchurch to see motorists driving around after dark with no lights on, and they must obviously be drivers who go for a considerable distance without checking their instrument panel, or they would quickly realise their mistake. Cockpit Drill Even in well-lit streets an unlit car can be a danger, for persons unconsciously tend to look for lights rather than vehicles, assuming that any vehicle will have lights, and that if there are no lights visible then there are no vehicles about This is a bad practice, of course, but it is understandable. The best way to remember to switch on lights is to form the habit of going through a “cockpit

drill” whenever you get into a car. Such a drill will help avoid other dangers also. Check-List The order in which you check the various items on your mental check-list is up to you, but a typical cockpit drill might go: check seat adjustment, check rear-vision mirror adjustment, check all doors are closed, fasten seat-belt, check handbrake, check gearlever in ’ neutral, start engine, check instruments (oil pressure, fuel gauge and so on) and lights, signal, look for other traffic, and pull out into the roadway. Doubtless there may be items you could add. For instance if you were in a car you had not driven before, you would probably check the position of the various switches and instruments, and as soon as possible after moving off you should try the brakes. But not when another car is close behind, of course. Light Adjustment Winter always means more driving in darkness, so it is important that your lights should be correctly adjusted. Many car band-books explain how you can check the adjust' ment of your car lights, and it is a task which need only take a few minutes. If opposing traffic often flashes its lights at you the chances are that your lights are out of adjustment. If you are going on a long journey at night, you may find it well worth while to wipe over the headlight lenses with a damp rag, for it is surprising how much a film of dirt cuts down the light. At night, remember to dip your lights when coming up behind other traffic, and during the day, remember that if a fog is bad enough to need lights, only dipped headlights are good enough. Quote Of The Week

’The British Road Federation said that the Government had turned the roaduser into its own private gold mine. Since 1964, according to the federation, the roaduser had had 10 separate increases in the rates of tax, and three cuts in road expenditure.”—Comment on the British Budget in the “Motor.”