MOTORDOM

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 April 1935, Page 4

MOTORDOM

NEWS OF THE ROAD

(By

“Gearbox”)

MOTOR-CAR AGE. TREMENDOUS INDUSTRY. Some idea of the magnitude of the motor-car industry, and the money involved in motoring generally, was given to members of the Wellington Rotaiy Club at its weekly luncheon by Mr. W. A. Sutherland, secretary of the Automobile Club (Wellington). \ Mr. Sutherland estimated the annual operating cost of the world's motor vehicles at between 2500 million and 3000 million pounds, consuming in their operation about 15,000 million gallons of petrol annually, while about one million tons of rubber was used every twelve months in meeting the demand of the motoring world. “In our own small country the annual opeiating costs run into approximately 20 millions per annum, or two and a-half times as much as it costs to operate the New Zealand railways,” said Mr. Sutherland, “and we use about 65,000,000 gallons of petrol'per annum. “Of course, America has always ranked first in the matter of registrations, as well as registrations per head of population. In the United States there are 25,000,000 vehicles, and one vehicle to about every five persons, So that-you could move the whole of the nation’s population in its motor vehicles. America is so vitally interested in motor vehicles, by reason of the large extent to which she Is manufacturing that the industry is to a very large degree looked upon as a key to the position of economic conditions. Great Britain has not got into that position, although she manufactured about 300,000 vehicles last year, which must result in giving employment to large numbers. MOTORING AND INCOME. “Assuming that every person in the country in Receipt of an income of £360 or over possesses a motor-vehicle, and ample allowance is then made for vehicles belonging to firms and companies operating more than one vehicle, it seems safe to say that over 100,000 vehicles, at present on the road, are operated by persons in receipt of an income of less than £7 per week,” said Mr. Sutherland.

“I have just made a statement which on many occasions has been the subject of a great deal of comment in this country. I will go further and say that the motor-car has been roundly condemned because it is so largely owned and used by persons with a small income. I have never agreed with such condemnation, or -with such general statements that there are large numbers o£ vehicle owners who simply cannot afford to operate them. “Certainly if every vehicle-owner were to purchase a new vehicle there would be more truth in the statement, but this must always be borne in mind: that those who can afford to purchase new cars, operate them for i few years and, being in a position i to make the purchase of another new chicle, dispose of their original cars. Thesq then go on to the second-hand market at a figure which enables persons of. more moderate means to purchase, and'so it goes on, until the man on the smaller income finds himself able to invest in a cheap secondhand car which he'han well afford to operate.” Motoring was to-day, becoming one of the most democratic influences in modern life, the cheapening of cars, the low cost of second-hand vehicles, and the multiplication of motor coach and bus services from the cities’ to the open country, have transformed motoring from the preserve of the rich to the almost universal method of transport, of which all may avail themselves. It was doubtful, indeed, whether any single invention, unless it be the radio,! had so completely transformed the] lives and habits of millions, in such -a i short space of time. As the transfer-1 mation continued the ranks of the < world’s motorists gained new recruits I with each passing year, and if man was I to progress he must have transporta- < tion. The industry and motor trans- 1 portation had progressed by always an- 1

ticipating the needs of to-morrow, and | not only anticipating them but by meeting them. “We know what the progress has been over the past thirty years when there were not more than a few thousand cars in the world,” Mr. Sutherland concluded. "The development of (he next thirty years I am inclined to think will be just as great, and our present-day standards will, to the motorists qf thirty years’ time, appear to the motorists of that time as the standards of thirty years ago appeared to most of. us.”

WINTER DRIVING. MEASURES FOR SAFETY. Some inexperienced drivers regard skidding as a danger inseparable from winter motoring. By taking a few simple precautions and making two or three adjustments to the car, this, and other winter unpleasantness, can be' almost entirely . eliminated. Proceed as follows: — ! Examine the tyres. Any tyre that has worn smooth should be discarded. It is essential to keep tyres in good condition. Inflate all tyres to the recommended pressure, and make sure that the shock absorbers are properly adjusted. Fill hydraulic shock absorbers with the recommended fluid and make certain that the filler plugs are screwed down tightly. It is a wise precaution to clean the shock absorber in the region of the filler before removing, the filler plug, as the entrance of dirt into the instrument must be avoided at all costs. Adjust and equalise the brakes. It is very important that the brake at one end of an axle gives exactly the same retarding effect as its fellow at the other end; inequality tends to cause sideslip. When hydraulic brakes are installed see that the supply tank is three-quarters full of brake fluid. It is advisable to test mechanical systems to make sure that all the joints in the mechanism are working freely. Brake cables should be greased, especially where they run over pulleys or through conduits. WINDSCREEN WIPER. If the blade of the windscreen wiper is defective and leaves streaks of wet behind it, renew it. Examine the tub ing of suction wipers, and, if it is perished, renew it. If the wiper is sluggish in action, remove the arm and set the wiper in motion. Put a few drops of cycle oil on the spindle. The suction will carry the hjZricant into the instrument.

Carry a large clean duster with you to clean the mist off the inside of the screen in fog'gy or wet weather. Adjust and focus the lamps properly. Head lamps that shine up into the tree-tops, besides being illegal, are not giving the best driving light, and they are causing unnecessary dazzle. Are you sure that your “stop” light is working?- Get a friend to watch it while you press the brake pedal. Always carry, in a safe place where they cannot get broken, at least one side lamp and one tail lamp bulb in addition to a spare set of fuses. When driving on a treacherous road remember that a car that is travelling in a straight line at a uniform speed will not skid. Skidding is set up by a too violent change in direction or speed. For that reason avoid fierce acceleration, especially on the lower gears. Leave yourself plenty of room so that you are never called upon to brake hard. Approach corners slowly and handle the steering wheen gently. If you are in a hurry it is better to come slowly into the turn and accelerate out of it than to approach the corner fast and then brake.

Should the car get into a skid turn your front wheels in the direction of the skid, and lift your foot off the accelerator. It may be found advantageous to declutch, but, above all, avoid braking. To apply the brakes in these circumstances is highly dangerous. When driving in fog, switch out the dash light and any other light inside the car. Dip the beam of the head lamps. If the fog is really severe you will find that you can progress more quickly and more safely if you open the windscreen fully and look under it. Take particular care in country lanes covered with wet leaves, for they form one of the most treacherous of surfaces. Clean the outside of the engine, for dirt and oil congealed on the metal give rise to unpleasant fumes when the engine gets hot. In Winter, when one drives with the windows closed, they are more liable to enter -the body than in the Summer.

NEW MODEL OLDSMOBILE Oldsmobile recently introduced its 1935-cars, a new six and a new straight eight, both bigger and roomier. The principal Improvements are:—The solid steel "turret top” body, having as an integral part a roof stamped from a solid sheet of seamless steel. The body has steel protection for the pas? sengers on all sides, top and bottom. A streamline design in which the entire car sloiies gracefully from the new radiator, back over 4he slanting tvindshield, rounded top and to the rear bumper in one sweeping line accentuated by the single piece streamline fenders. An X-type frame, 40 per cent, stronger and more rigid than those of previous models. A boxed-in section has been added at the rear of the frame, the holes in the X-member eliminated as far as possible, and two fore and aft straddle bars arc used over the gas tank as compared to the single bar of 1931. A complete system of sound-proofing of chassis, engine and body. Roomier interiors with ample head and leg space, widened seats and smart new fittings. Large luggage compartments. Re-distribu-tion of weight to permit all passengers to ride between the axles, thus adding to comfort. This is done by moving the motor and the seats about five inches forward from the 1934 position. Longer wheelbase. Increased power achieved largely through the use of an entirely new design cylinder head which gives a higher compression ratio and still permits the use of standard fuel. More economical operation oecause of improvements in the manifolding system and carburettor.