BREAKDOWN ANALYSIS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 94, 22 April 1933, Page 15

BREAKDOWN ANALYSIS

Once' again the.annual analysis undertaken; by the R.A.C., showing the causes, of motor-car breakdowns,^yields' somo interesting, figures. This' is carried out in conjunction .with the club's, "Get-you-Home" scheme, and for 1932, the analysis is based up0n12,557 cases covering cars', of all types. The percentage of, breakdowns due to accidents ,is the lowest on record, the figure being 11.9 as against 12.3 for. 193 i. . i Another type of failure which is less comiribh, than formerly is that due to rear-axle shaft fracture, which has decreased !to 12.7 per cent, as compared with 13.6 in 1931, and 14.2 in 1930. > Tho principal cause of ..roadside trouble is still , the .system, which amounts for 20,4 per cent, of. the cases;.■investigated.' .This is probably largely .duo to neglect' ancl.it is intciesling to note that tho percentage of failures is somewhat less than was the case some years ago when magneto ignition was general. Tho difference is not, however, very great. In the analysis of engine failures the ' cylinders and pistons continue to head 1 the list (9.9 per cent.), while other components, such as valves, lubrication systems, etc., aie now pioving to bo extremely lcliable., Apart fiom axle failures (already mentioned) the most prevalent cause of transmission trouble is fonnd in the clutch (0.2 per cent).. Lighting failures show a commendably low percentage—2.s as do also those of vital parts, such as the front axle <md steering gear.