Auto Gossip

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33774, 21 February 1975, Page 4

Auto Gossip

by

A.J.P.

I sometimes feel that the temerity of some of our self-appointed environmental watchdogs is inversely proportional to their knowledge. This is unfortunate, for environmental questions are important, and some of

the environmental enthusiasts undoubtedly lose sympathy for their cause by their attitudes. I noticed recently, fot instance, that the spokes man for one group had demanded that the Government cut the lead in petrol to little or nothing, against the recommendation of the Clean Air Council. Although there was on evidence that anyone had been harmed bylead in petrol, he said, it could be eliminated from petrol at little cost. I trust that the Government takes this approach with a grain of salt. According to engineers and fuel experts, backed by expert ence in some overseas countries, lead in petrol performs two important functions; it raises antiknock values cheaply and easily, and it provides vital boundary lubrication for the engine’s valves, which cannot be satisfactorily lubricated by oil. To produce no-lead petrol, expensive refinery alterations are needed. More important, these days, the change means less useable petrol from each barrel of crude, which means a marked rise in the amount of oil needed. Again, although engines can be built with special hardened valve seats and valve rotators to run safely on unleaded petrol — as is the case with the latest United States models — older cars must run on leaded fuel, or grave engine trouble will result. So in my' view, to suggest that New Zealand should change to unleaded fuel, willy-nilly, borders on the irresponsible.