MOTORING AND MOTORISTS

Evening Star, Issue 22686, 28 June 1937, Page 13

MOTORING AND MOTORISTS

by "Radiator”

LIGHTING-UP TIMES To-day 5.1 Tuesday 5.1 Wednesday 5.2 Thursday ... 5.5 Friday 5.8 Saturday 5.4 Sunday 5.4 NON-DAZZLING LAMPS A TEMWKA INVENTION A claim that he has invented a lamp in which dazzle is completely eliminated, but which loses nothing in strength, is made by a Temuka resident, Jill- A. C. Anderson, whoso headlamp is at present being tested in Wellington by the Commissioner of Transport. The results of the tests arc to bo torwarded to tho Minister of Transport (tho Hon. R. Semple). Mr Anderson has adapted an ophthalmic principle in his invention. The part of the lamp for which Mr Anderson claims credit is the lens. This consists of two plate glassed, shaped like saucers, and they are placed together, ' giving a convex surface on each side. When this lens is fitted the efficiency of tho lamp is increased considerably, and tho dazzle is almost completely eliminated. . Mr Anderson explained tho principle on which he had constructed the lamp. “ Eye specialists are well acquainted, he said, “ with the effects which can be obtained from this. Persons reaching 50 or 60 yfears of ago often resort to the use of spectacles for reading, and many of them in a few years develop what is considered a second sight, so strong that they discard their spec- “ The change is brought about by a liquid forming over the eyeball, a liquid which at first tends to magnify greatly. On the same principle a liquid chemical mixture is used to fill the cavity between tho glasses of the headlamp lens. It increases the power of the light in exactly the same way.” Mr Anderson believes that tho lamp will be equally suitable in homes and offices, because it reduces the harshness of the glare while increasing the illumination. THE EMERGENCY MARGIN Despite the effectiveness of modern brakes a number of ’stem to stem collisions still occur in city streets because drivers persist in driving too close behind the car m front, and are unable to avoid tho leading vehicle when an emergency stop is .made. . • > A few years ago stop-lights gave ample warning, but the efficiency of present-day brakes is such that unless a driver is concentrating on the stop light the warning is insufficient to avoid a collision. This warning applies particularly to drivers of older model cars and trucks whose brakes lack _ the stopping power of the modern vehicle. Drivers are therefore advised to exercise more caution and not follow closely behind another vehicle.. Recognition of this fact will prevent an appreciable number of crashes. GLEANING WHEELS The modern typo of pressed steel wheel is quite easy to clean using only a cloth under a now of water, but it is even easier if a scrubbing brush of the typo in which the bristles at the ends protect beyond those in tho centre is used. The .brush will need to be softened by soaking well in hot water. For wire wheels a spoke brush is essential, and'with most brushes of this sort, a little pad of cloth securely tied over the ends of the wire will prevent damage to the paint. IGNITIDN CONTROL Years ago every car was fitted with a manual control for advancing and retarding the ignition, but few owners, knew how to use it to advantage and there were instances of oars being harmed by failure to pull the lever to “ retard ”on a heavy pull. Automatic mechanism controlling thq spark position was developed, and is now fitted to every production model. Its operation, however, is arbitrary, and a driver who really knows his car soon discovers that he could improve performance if advance and retard were under his control. The fitting of a manual control is quite an easy matter, well within the scope of a capable mechanic, and there is no reason why a keen_ driver should not have this work carried out. A motorist must be prepared to use it intelligently, however, otherwise it is better to leave the automatic mechanism undisturbed. BRILLIANT DESIGNER'S DEATH UNORTHODOX MODELS It would bo difficult to over-estimate the ability of Commendatoro Vicenzo Lancia, who died in Turin. Tho design of the cars for which ho became so famous, though unorthodox, was always sound and in advance of the times. Also in pre-war days, between 1904 and 1908, he was one of the most famous drivers. . Lancia began his career in 1902 as a tester at a factory in Turin. His outstanding mechanical ability was recognised, and a separate company was formed for him in 1907. His first car was destroyed by fire in that year, but another 15 h.p model was prepared and exhibited at Brussels and Turin in 1908. This has been regarded by many as the pioneer light car. After tho war came his four-cylinder Lambda model, a 1921 car with independent front wheel suspension and the chassis forming part of the body. There followed tho eight-cylinder Dilambda, the little Augusta, and more recently the Aprilia. An unusual feature of their engines was the slightly staggered

arrangement of the cylinders in the block. ' .

, Lancia loaves a ■widow and three children. He died aged 57, and a rich man. Although lie rose to fame from humble parentage, he had a profound knowledge on many subjects, including history and photography. THE DRIVER’S CDMFDRT MORE ATTENTION BEING PAID In the design and fittings of the 1937 model cars, it is pleasing to see that manufacturers have paid a great deal of attention to the comfort of the driver. This is most important, because ircquently bad driving is the result of fatigue, and accidents have occurred because drivers have momentarily lost control of their vehicles because of tiredness induced by spending long hours in a strained, unnatural position behind the wheel. In a car in which all the controls are conveniently placed, and one that has good roadholding properties and brakes such as are possessed by most modern cars, it is surprising how many miles can be travelled in a day without the driver becoming more than moderately tired. The difficulty is, of course, that people vary so much in stature. I'or several years all cars have had adjustable front seats, which have partly solved the problem, but not entirely, because, although these seats can be brought forward, they still remain at a height which is suitable only for tail drivers. The sight of a short. inan or woman with the seat right forward, but still sitting so low that he or she has to strain upwards and peer oyer straighter, and has an excellent view of the road, is common. ADJUSTING THE FRONT SEAT. This year a general change in the manner or adjusting the front seat has been made. In a great number of the latest cars, the seat actually moves in two directions. As it is brought forward it rises a little higher, and the seat squab becomes more upright. The short driver therefore sits higher and straighter, and has an excellent view of the wheel. When the seat is back it is lower and tilted more, the best position for a long-legged person. This new seat is a great improvement. With the closer attention now being paid to upholstery and the angle between cushion and squab, it is possible for every motorist, of whatever physical build, to secure a really comfortable driving position. ' THREE IN THE FRONT. Some drivers make the mistake of travelling long' distances with three people in the front seat. Many 1937 models are exceptionally wide in the front compartment, and in thcs(3 it is permissible to accommodate three in the front seat, but in others the extra passenger will push the driver right into his corner. The driver soon finds that his legs arc at an unaccustomed angle and the wheel is not directly in front of him. and after 100 miles or so he is glad to get put and stretch his cramped limbs. Driving with three in the front compartment when the scat is not wide enough to give the driver complete freedom of movement is distinctlv inadvisable on a long journey. Ho will have-such poor control of Ins car that the practice can be very dangerous. . , Tho question of the drivers comfort is more important than most people realise, and buyers of now cars will find it often pays to have slight alterations made if the driving position is not all that could bo wished, * EXPLOSIONS IN THE SILENCER When loud explosions are heard in the silencer the common mistake is again to blame the carburettor. ' Contrary to this wide misunderstanding, however, these explosions have nothing to do with the carburettor itself; the assumption probably arises from the fact that back-firing in the silencer when over-running can very often bo cured by enriching the slow-running mixture. While explosions in the silencer are usually experienced, when over-running downhill, it is, however, possible for them to occur when the engine is under load. . In this case tho explosion in the exhaust system moans that a “live’ charge has escaped from the cylinder and has been fired by the exhaust flame of a succeeding charge. The fact that it will fire in the silencer proves that the charge was fully combustible, and it therefore follows that the only reason that it did. ilot fire when in he cylinder was either that tho ignition was temporarily defective or that tho exhaust valve was sticking and released tho charge before tho spark occurred. ON THE OVER-RUN. Firing when over-running downhill is of a different nature altogether. It is caused by an air leak in the exhaust pipe or by air being admitted to tho silencer through any other cause. A blown exhaust gasket will result in “ banging ” in tho silencer when overrunning; similarly, an unduly short tail pipe may often do so. The sequence of events which leads to explosions in the silencer is as follows;—When the throttle is closed at fairly high engine speeds only a very small volume of gas enters the _ cylinder. The resulting compression is low, and the rate of burning of the charge slowed up to such a degree that tho flame is extinguished by the sudden ratified conditions caused by tho rapid descent of the piston. Partially-burnt gas is therefore ejected on the exhaust stroke, and is capable of further combustion if extra air is obtainable to dilute it. Any leakage into the exhaust system will often provide the required oxygen, with the result that an explosion will take place. The fact that enriching the idling mixture will frequently cure “ banging ” in the exhaust on the over-run docs not prove that it is the carburettor which is at fault. Tho richer tho original mixture, of course, the more air is required to dilute it when it reaches the silencer; thus, if the leak in the exhaust system is not excessive, a slightly richer slowrunning mixture will cure tho trouble.

MORE CAUTIOUS deaf drivers defended Leaf drivers of motor cars m Massachusetts June found an unexpected champion in a registrar of motor vohiclo.s named Frank A. Goodwin. Sharply criticising insurance companies for refusing to issue policies for cars owned by’ deaf persons, Mr Goodwin declared; “ While such persons cannot hear, their other senses are correspondingly alert, and they are inclined to exercise a greater degree of caution than the average driver, especially at intersections.” _____ differential bolts Items of tightening frequently overlooked even by service stations are the bolts or set screws that secure ' tne differential carrier flange'to the banjo housing. The same may be said ot the sleeve attachments to axle centres. Looseness is easily detected by the presence of oil leakage, and the sleeves or carrier flange may be seen moving in relation to the housing or centre. In certain cases the only perinaiient repair is to fit new bolts packings. And where bolts protrude from inside they should be tightened securely before taking up on the outside nutsBURNT OUT POINTS If the points in the ignition distributor burn out fairly early in the me of a car, the cause is almost certain to be a faulty coil. Replacement of the coil will avoid a repetition of the trouble, and also will prevent the points of the sparking plugs from burning away with excessive rapidity. WATCH THIS PIPE It is a common practice nowadays for engine designers to provide a down pipe to lead crankcase fumes out well below the side trays. Some of these seem to be rather long and in danger of being closed up by stones or stumps in rough country. The result would bo a somewhat hotter running motor and possibly the emission of unpleasant oil fumes from the crankcase breather. So keep an eye on this pipe and see that it is unobstructed. The same, in fact, would apply to exhaust piping, which, -when kinked, will bring about generally unsatisfactory motor performance and cause overheating. SHELL ROAD MAP “Radiator” lias received from the Shell Company of N.Z. Ltd. a copy of its road map of the Otago district, the scale being four miles to the inch. The map is in colour, and right up to date, oven tho 4YA mast on the Peninsula being shown. All main highways, secondary roads, and foot tracks are given, together with tho mileage between the various .places. Scenic roads are specially marked, and steep hills indicated by blue arrows. Bridges, railway crossings, motor camps, aerodromes, and city outlets are clearly shown. The map is in the form of a folder, with a page for notes by the motorist. It is a very useful guide, and will no doubt bo a help to motorists using the roads within a radius of 80 miles from Dunedin, MOTOR CYCLING LOCAL ACTIVITIES It is unfortunate that a rebroadcast of the senior T.T. race could not be carried cut this year, but most motor cyclists will know by now that F. Frith was the winner at the record speed of 88 m.p.h., with, the record lap of 90 m.p.h. The winning time this year is equal to tho record lap last year, so it looks as if the manufacturers have still got a little more speed up their sleeves. On Friday night, June 18. some 11 enthusiasts with a wireless set paid a visit to the home of one of our members, and there attempted to pick up the broadcast of the race direct. After trying unsuccessfully for two hours they gave it up as a bad job, and departed, leaving the wireless set behind. First thing on Saturday morning up springs the lucky member, who had been presented with a free wireless, and turns it on, picking up GSD, Daventry, as easily as 4YA, and is almost immediately informed by the announcer that Frith had won. The new committees which were appointed at the annual meeting have all met, and things are in full swing. A new programme will shortly be published. and it gives promise of being something which will make local motor cycling'worth while. Mr S. Morris has been elected chairman for the ensuing year, and our meetings should go with a real swing. Tho Social Committee is going to do everything in its power to help things along, and, with Mr G. Bachop as chairman of this committee, wo can look forward to some good social evenings. TOLD AT THE WHEEL “ Here’s a fellow who has just patented a contrivance for preventing girls from falling out of dicky seats. What do you think of the idea? ” “ I don’t like it at all. It’s just another move to replace men with machinery.”