MOTORDOM

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 April 1934, Page 10

MOTORDOM

NEWS OF THE ROAD

(By

“Gearbox”)

NEGLECT IS COSTLY Need for proper servicing’ of the motor vehicle is stressed by the truism that automobiles are at their best when running right. With the forgoing rule in mind, according to automotive experts, it is well to remember that the vehicle will run at all times if ordinary attention is given to the mechanism. A recent check-up of statistics by an American authority proved that neglect has sacrificed more cars than any other cause. However, surveys have shown there are certain obscure points and parts in every car that are necessary units, but generally are overlooked by the average motorist. This human failing is understood by the manufacturers, who are employing every means of research either for the elimination of those parts or for such production as will require the least care.

When the driver receives warning by unusual action or noise that there is something amiss in the vehicle it should be taken immediately to a service station.

INVESTIGATING “KNOCKS”

Unusual engine noises should not be ignored. It is imprudent to say, “There is a bit of piston slap,” or “one of the bearings wants taking up.” Some cars will uun for thousands of miles with piston slap or a light bearing knock, but often neglect to remedy such defects promptly entails costly subsequent repairs. Whenever it is noticed that the engine is “running rough,” or that there' is some perI sistent noise which was not audible i when it was in good tune, an investigation should be made. Mild piston slap is tolerable in certain cases, but sometimes it connotes a ruthless stropping of the cylinder walls which will eventually made reboring necessary, and a knocking bearing may I cause considerable damage. | If the amateur does not feel that he is capable of making a, correct diagenesis he would be well advised to take .1 is ear to a service station of repute, not with the intention of committing himself to costly repair, work, but to ascertain if the fault is one that might be ignored until a general overhaul of the engine is necessary. WARM STEERING WHEEL The Vacuum Oil Company advise that an American inventor has fashioned a hollow steering wheel made of aluminium, which is heated by the exhaust from the engine, so as to warm the motorist’s hands in cold weather. A pipe leads from the exhaust manifold to the wheel, through vyhic.h the hot vapours circulate. They are then led off through a second pipe J and discharged through the exhaust .outlet.

MAIN FEATURE. A CAR’S DEPENDABILITY. An analysis of some 200,000 replies to a. questionnaire sent to over a million automobile owners in the United States, shows that dependability is still the main characteristic desired by the motorist. The order of preference was as follows:—Dependability, operating economy, safety, appearance, comfort, ease of control, smoothness, low price, acceleration, and speed. It is surprising to note that speed was actually placed last on the list. Some glimpses into the detailed preferences expressed by some of those who answered the questionnaire are of interest. They are as follow: —

Arm rest for driver, draught-proof doors, dimmer switch on floor, reduced amount of chromium visible from driver’s seat, form-fitting cushions, horns less insolent, mental ease, easy gear shifting, non-glare mirror, accurate petrol gauges, reduce bouncing of rear seat, more convenient starters, screen ventilators, large rear window, door and window handles that will not jam one’s arm or catch in driver’s sleeve, better floor covering, rattleproof doors, economy at higher speeds, good lifting jack, lots of room around pedals for foot relaxation, more luggage space, factory provision for radio and heater, no-draught ventilation, plain upholstery, sagproof doors, pockets (large, roomy, and plenty of them), warp-proof'run-ning boards, greater comfort, make doors easy to open and close, easy steering - ( free from vibration), heavier batteries, readily visible instruments, accessible tire valves, nongiare windshield, splashless mudguards, door handles that will not bruise legs, comfortable foot throttle, place for parcels and road maps, improved riding qualities, larger tires, fewer keys, better dash lights, more durable upholstery, soft seat springs, adjustable front seats, larger petrol tank, make cars easier to keep clean, free from shimmy, front compartment. insulated against engine heat, substantial body hardware, accurate instruments, safety glass that will not discolour, built-in luggage trunk, adjustable sun visors, and large steering wheels. ELECTRICAL UNITS. LAMPS AND WIRING. The bulbs of the head, parking, and tail lights seldom give trouble and, provided products of good quality are usetl. generally have a long, useful life. It is a false economy to buy “shoddy” cheap bulbs, which are very prone to fuse or burn out. It is well known that low-grade lamps, . even when used for household lighting, are not dependable, and that often they break down when comparatively now, either because of an imperfect ' vaccuum in the bulb or the .factoring oi the filament. The bulbs on the car are siibmHed to content vibration and mechanical shock, and it is necessary that they should have high-

grade filaments if they are to stand up against such treatment. Il is a, mistake to instal lamps of too high a. candlepower in the headlights, for not only will they cause glare, to the danger of passing traffic, b.ut they also make excessive calls on tlie output of the battery. The charging rate of the generator and the current consumption of the' lamps should be so balanced that when both head and side lamps are burning the ammeter will still register some degree of charge. If that precaution is not taken and much night driving is done, the battery may need frequent bench charges to make good its losses. The usual practice now is to employ a. single wire system; the return circuit being made through the metal of the chassis to which one side of the storage battery is connected. It is, therefore, important to see that the wiring© of the lights is kept in good order, for chafing at any point might wear through the insulation and cause a short circuit. Danger spots which should not be overlooked are the undersides of the front mudguards, where the insulated wire is exposed, and the wiring of the taillight. Sometimes the latter passes through a metal plate on which the number plate and tail-light are mounted, and it has often been found that constant chafing of the wire against the edges of the hole in the plate will ultimately cause a “short.” A good method of preserving exposed wiring is to paint the insulation periodically with black enamel. One of the most common causes of fused filaments is a loose contact which results either in a. contant fuctuation of the current passing through the lamps, or in some circumstances, an overload which at once melts the filament. If the main battery connections are loose or become detached, then the output from the generator' is not fed to the cells, but is forced upon the lamps, with a result that they shine with intense brilliancy for a moment and then fuse. Whenever the battery is replaced in the car, great care should be. taken to see that both the thimbles and terminals are clean, and that the former are clamped very firmly in place, The inevitable effect of one cable of the storage battery coming adrift will be the prompt fusing of several, and probably, all, of the lamps, while imperfect and dirty contacts between the battery and the generator may cause a constant overload.

When buying bulbs it is well to bear in mind the requirements of the traffic regulations; and particularly the fact that the tail-light must illuminate all the figures on the number plate so that they are easily legible from a distance of not less than 15 yards. Although the question of headlamp focussing does not come within the scope of this article, it must be mentioned that the filaments of the bulbs are seldom identical with regard to shape and position, and whenever a new bulb is inserted the ■focussing should be tested, and, if necessary, readjusted. Many cars have “stop-light" signals which operate by means of a switch actuated by the foot-brake, and it is often noticed that motorists do not keep that accessory well adjusted, and that the illuminated signal “stop” is displayed even when the brakes are but lightly applied, with consequent confusion to following traffic. The switch gear should be*'so set. that the rear sign only lights up when the brake pedal is considerably depressed. “Sydney Morning Herald.”