SCIENTIFIC CONSTRUCTION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 29 December 1928, Page 13

SCIENTIFIC CONSTRUCTION.

CHEMISTRY AN IMPORTANT PART

Although it is obvious to most people that the modern car is of highly scientific construction, it is not so ) obvious that chemistry even now plays an important part in its construction, and, furthermore, that its application is steadily increasing. In the prime necessity of fuel, chemistry has greatly assisted in the production of cheap and reliable quality petrol, and in the held of synthetic or chemically prepared fuels and the production of fuel from eoal and allied materials the possibilities are very great, judging from the results of recent scientific research. , In other directions applied chemistry has become of great, practical importance, as instance the extensive use of such chemicalised products as the Bakelite class of compositions and cellulose finishes In the protection of metal surfaces' from rust and corrosion, matters are steadily improving, to the benefit of the car owner, due to chemical research. Although glass has necessarily ,to enter largely into body- construction, a purely chemical substitute, having none of the fragility of glass, but having its advantages, is by no means an unlikely product of the future if the intensive chemical research on the subject being carried out is any indication. In the production of specially durable fabric compositions for use ‘in the make-up of a car chemistry is likely to aid much in the future. SOME NECESSARY DON’TS’’ When coasting down a hill*the ignition switch should not be switched off. - Never apply oil to brake linings and brake drums. When cleaning a. car start from the inside and work out, and from the top and work down. This is old advice, hut many are prone to forget it. Driving with the foot resting on the clutch pedal—known .as riding the clutch—should be avoided. The practice results in unnecessary wear of the disc linings and of the clutch release bearing. Make sure that the‘ignition . switch is in the off position when the car is not in use. Failure to'remember this is sometimes the reason of the battery going “flat.” i