DRIVING FOR ECONOMY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVI, Issue 3446, 22 March 1932, Page 2

DRIVING FOR ECONOMY.

When maximum economy in driving costs is desired it must be remembered that sacrifices in other directions must be made. For instance, greatest economy is not consistent with maximum power, flexibility and acceleration.

Where these latter are required it is necessary to use a slightly rich mixture—richer than where economy is the sole aim.

Most cars are adjusted by the makers with these facts in mind and an average is struck. The first and foremost consideration in economical driving is the selection of the fuel. It is therefore desirable always to use the highest quality spirit available.

If for any reason the petrol consumption remains unsatisfactory, the trouble may be traced to one or more of the following causes: Incorrect carburettor adjustment; incorrect timing of the spark; faulty plugs and incorrect spark gap; incorrect valve tappet adjustment; weak valve springs; pitted valve surfaces; sticky valve stems; poor mechanical conditions of the engine. Poor fuel mileage may be caused by too closely adjusted brake bands, retarded ignition, the use of a too heavy grade of engine lubricant, or an oil of inferior quality.

Most cars will give the greatest number of miles per gallon when driven at speeds between 25 and 35 miles per hour without jerky acceleration or the sudden application of brakes. If possible, maintain the accelerator within a very limited range of movement when driving. Other points to observe are: —

1. Choke the carburettor only when starting.

2. Open the choke as soon as the engine starts.

3. See that all joints in the petrol system are kept tight and that the carburettor does not leak.

4. Shut off your engine when you leave the car. "Idling" means fuel wasted. 5. Exercise care in driving; unnecessary gear changes mean waste.

Keep your tyres inflated at the pressures recommended by the manufacturers. This procedure gives longer life to the tyres and promotes greater fuel mileage. When approaching intersections, turns or stopping places, release pressure on the accelerator and allow the car to roll forward on its own momentum, thus again saving fuel. Keep in mind that high speed requires power—it takes four times more power to drive a car at 60 miles per hour than is required to travel at 30 miles per hour. Excessive speed also means higher engine temperatures, with a correspondingly greater oil consumption. Further economies can be achieved by paying attention to the subject of lubrication, for example:—

1. Make sure that there are no badly-fitting pistons and rings, which cause increased oil consumption. 2. See that no leaks of lubricating oil can occur through ill-fitting of crankcase or by reason of a leaky gasket.

3. Do not overfill ycur crankcase, as this results in waste and causes carbon deposit.

4. Don't run your car with a cylinder misfiring. This causes crankcase dilution, necessitating more frequent changing of oil.

Chassis lubrication is often neglected. Spring shackles will last much longer if regularly lubricated every 300 miles.

Remember that the greatest economy comes from using the highest grade fuel and oil obtainable. The use of inferior grades is only false economy.