CAR COMFORT

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 21 May 1932, Page 12

CAR COMFORT

GREAT MODERN ADVANCEMENT. IMPROVED SHOCK ABSORBERS, The riding comfort of motor-cars is now far in advance of what it was even only a few years back. Balloon tyres, better springing and improved shock absorbers have all helped ill this regard. The development made in shock absorbers have been very- marked and a further step towards damping out road shocks has been the introduction by some car manufacturers in their latest models of shock absorbers capable of adjustment to suit road conditions by the drivers while the vehicle is in motion. Some manufacturers are experimenting with the idea of controlling the action of shock absorbers by thermostatic compensation, so that the correct tension to ensure maximum riding comfort would be automatically controlled. In hot weather, or after prolonged driving on rough roads, the oil fluid in shock absorbers has a tendency to thin, thereby giving the fitment too much freedom for maximum checking action. With thermostatic control to take up any fluctuations in the oil viscosity it is thought that better action would be obtainable at all times, inasmuch as the human element would be eliminated as regards either adjustment of the fixed type or manipulation of the manually- controlled shock absorber. If such an application can be effectively- applied, then the efficiency of these already effective shock absorbers would be increased.