AUTOMATIC CLUTCH

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 16, 13 October 1933, Page 13

AUTOMATIC CLUTCH

Britain Defeats Rivals

The French, German and American motor engineers woo have been seeking an automatic clutch for ten years have been beaten by a London engineer, Mr. Noel Newton. Mr. Newton has invented a clutch, controlled centrifugally, which enables a car to be started from a standstill by engaging any gear and pressing the accelerator. It is unnecessary to declutch when stopping. The clutch gives a flexible drive at low speeds, slipping a few revolutions before becoming solid. It will be included in a 1934 British model.

NEW TIRES

Fit Them to Front Wheels

Many motorists are in doubt, when they purchase a pair of new motor tires as to which wheels the new tires should be fitted. Some people favour them to diagonally opposite wheels—offside front and nearside rear—the idea being to reduce risk of skidding. There is, however, a distinct advantage in fitting both new covers to the front wheels, inasmuch as there is far less risk of a burst or puncture taking place with new tires, and, therefore, little fear of losing control of steering through such an occurrence. Additionally, the steering is usually much easier with good tires on the front wheels. The pairing of a new cover (which is usually heavier than a worn tire) with a partially worn front cover is quite likely to upset the balance in the front assembly, and cause wheel wobble.

DON’T FORCE THE CAR

Many drivers do not realise that it is possible to maintain a good average speed without resorting in any way to the “brutal” form of acceleration and braking which brings so many cars 'to an untimely and expensive end. Every car, states a famous English motorist, has a natural cruising speed at which it xuns best, and to maintain the best average this should be steadily maintained wherever road conditions permit, and should not be exceeded for long periods on even the best of roads. Once the car is forced along at a'speed at which it becomes uncomfortable there is introduced a risk of breakdown, which will cause a much greater loss of time than would a slightly lower speed. Driving too fast for the road means risk of tire trouble or mechanical breakages. It- also is extremely tiring, and after an hour or two the driver will find a rest essential, during which he drops behind a schedule which could have’been much more comfortably and economically maintained at a lower speed.