SAVING THE BRAKES

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 104, 29 October 1927, Page 19

SAVING THE BRAKES

Why can one motorist go for spy eral years and travel many thousands ot miles without having the brakes rehned while another will wear them out in a short time?

It has been demonstrated that short lite for brake linings, is not always a matter of poor linings or a result of faihng to use second gear on very steep

The case of one owner whose brakes required relining more frequently than was customary for the particular make of car revealed an interesting fact. There was a weak return spring on the throttle, so that when desiring to slow down, the engine itself could not be used as a partial brake.

Thus the owner used' the brakes 50 per cent, more than necessary, especially in traffic. A new and stronger throttle spring at the carburettor solved the mystery.

If a car gets badly stuck in muddy ground, and the wheels spin when the engine power is applied, the car can be made to extricate itself by the simple method of deflating the back tires until they are almost devoid of air pressure. The same also applies when a car is stuck in sand. The tires should, of course, be inflated again immediately hard surface is reached, otherwise damage will be done.

Slight leaks of air in an induction pipe may be the cause of poor engine running, and in some cases such leaks may be so small as to escape the notice of the driver. Symptoms of a leaking

induction pipe aro as follows: Weakness in pulling, a pronounced difficulty in starting and in getting away, misfiring, and a tendency for the engine to run smoothly only at high speeds. In some cases only one cylinder is affected, but usually the whole engine is involved. It is suggested as a remedy that, after an inspection for the more easily detected leaks, such as a defective washer or a badly fitted pipe, the joints in the pipe should have a coating of boiled linseed oil or oil varnish applied while the engine is running well throttled down. This will ensure the oil penetrating between the faces of the joint, and effectually stopping any small leaks.

With a view to eliminating the strain upon nerves caused by unnecessary street noises, Professor Spooner has urged at the International Fatigue Committee meeting in connection with the American Society of Industrial Engineers that worn, ramshackle motorcars should not be permitted to use the streets until they have been reconditioned, that horns of cars should be standardised to a low melodious note, and that driving fast to an accompaniment of continuous sounding of the horn to ensure a clear road should be prohibited.

The Autocycle Union of New South Wales has decided to promote a series of championship trials during the next twelve months, comprising events over periods of four, eight, and twelve hours. The winner of each class will receive a championship sash, and separate trophies will also be awarded. The competitor who has the greatest aggregate of points in the three trials will be declared the outright champion, and receive a special sash. A special committee is preparing conditions governing the trials.

The old gentleman had bought a sec-ond-hand car in good condition and was demonstrating it to a friend who was a little deaf. "Don't you think she ticks over fine?" he said. "Eh?" said the friend. He repeated his question a little louder. "Eh?" said, the friend again. "Don't you think she ticks over very nicely?" bawled the old gentleman again. "Eh?" said his friend. "You will have to shout a bit louder, I cannot hear anything for your rattling engine.

M. Chiappe, the new French Prefect de Police, holds the opinion 'that a practical first-hand knowledge of traffic driving should be of advantage to the point-duty Policeman. Finding that only a very small percentage of the .men employed on traffic control had any experience of driving, he has instituted a motor school of instruction for them at the Prefecture. Every man employed on traffic duty will now have to qualify as an efficient motorist and traffic driver. Another new regulation brought in by M. Chiappe is the obligatory fitting of engine governors on commercial motor vehicles over a certain weight limit. This only applies to vehicles used within the city limits.

So many accessories can now bo bought for protecting motor-cyclists from the elements that with a suitably equipped machine it is quite possible to use a motor-cycle for business calls. "Motor Cycling" gives details of a sidecar outfit which has been fitted with;a special windscreen which is attached to the handlebars and makes it "Unnecessary for tho rider to wear goggles. 'It also has legshields which effectively prevent mud from being flung over the rider's boots and trousers. We may yet see the day when motor-cycles so equipped will be very largely used by business men as a quick and cheap means of paying calls.