MOTORING NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1197, 20 December 1924, Page 13

MOTORING NOTES

Nowadays when so many people are buying their, first motor car, the question arises as to whether the new owner has been sufficiently grounded in the method of properly handling and caring for his or her car. Automobiles are now being sold at the rate of over 1000 a week in Australia, and a, big percentage of the buyers are novices who have to depend mostly on the instruction book issued by tire manufacturer. In justice to the car sold, agents should make a point of explaining to novices' all the essentials necessary for the proper functioning of the machine. However carefully the new owner may have studied, the instruction book, there will almost certuinly be points that cannot be followed as clearly as might be wished principally on account of the lack of technical knowledgo on the part of tho novice. As a matter of fact, many persons unaccustomed to technical descriptions get more confused every time they read the instructions, and some give up the task in despair. This is just where the benefit of having the new car delivered by an expert will be realised, for in a few moments he will be able to elucidate some of tho mysteries that have been troubling the student of the instruction book. Take the information offered in the lubrication chart for example, which to the experienced motorists can be understood in a minute, but the novice will probably be perfectly bewildered, first by the representation of the chassis in a line drawing, then by the muss of lines and arrows intended to draw his attention to- the points in the chassis requiring attention when the process of oiling up is being performed. It is not sufficient to assume that the business of lubricating a new car can be left safely to the new owner with no othor guide than a lubrication chart, useful though the latter may be for the man who delivers the car ought to be prepared to show the owner all the various details of the chassis to be lubricated, this giving a practical demonstration of the real value of the chart. When this is being done, the owner should make a point of inquiring the exact object of oiling the different parts, and what is likely to happen if various details are neglected. The same principle of imparting instruction should be adopted with regard to instructions as to carrying out the simple adjustments that can be left to the new owner. A simple operation such as clearing out a choked jet may present a very great problem to the man who is afraid to touch his car with a spanner, in case he may upset something, and put it out of action altogether. If, on the other hand, he is shown the way to dismantle the carburetter, and is given the opportunity of doing so under the supervision of the expert, he will gain tho desired degree of confidence to help himself when minor problems are encountered on the road.

To the absolute novice, the appearance of such devices as oil pressure gauges, ammeters, etc., on the dashboard may convey but little assistance, unless their action and purpose are fully understood. Though to experienced motorists it seems hardly conceivable that anyone could be confused by such simple appliances, many novices have got into serious difficulties by failing to notice when these have failed to understand all the more simple features of the mechanism when the car is delivered by an expert able to explain the whole thing in a simple and practical manner. The world’s hour bicycle paced record has again been lowered, and the remarkable distance of 69 miles 1525 yards has been crammed into 60 minutes. This wonderful achievement was put up by J. Brunior behind motor cycle pace on the Montlhery automobile speedway, Paris, and materially increased the recent fine performance of Vanderstuytsyen (66 miles 1636 yards) on tho same track. Another successful meeting was held by the Melbourne Carnival Ptv., Ltd., on their new auto track recently, when some 27,000 spectators# witnessed some thrilling racing. Speeds up to 80 miles an hour were attained. The racing throughout wus good and interesting, and there were many fast and exciting finishes, while excellent judgment characterised the riders in their handling of the machines on critical occasions, which are always likely to arise when high speed is the dominant factor. 'fortunately there were no accidents, most of the riders appearing to have mastered the pecularities of the track, and they at times swept round the saucer at high speed in much closer company than before. The risks they apparently ran gave the spectators all the thrills and excitement they wanted. The performed, of tho American riders were highly creditable; they had received their own machines during the week, and with the better knowledgo of the track were enabled to snatch several victories, J. Davis, Ralph Hopburn and Paul Anderson being among the prize-winners. The programme was slightly altered at times owing to unforeseen defects with the machines, J. Seymour (America) suffering in this respect. Among our own riders, the Victorian cracks C. 11. Disney and R. Hipwell won several events in a brilliant manner. while J. Stewart and R. Campbell also performed creditably. The motorpaced cycle races were close and interesting, the personal element manifesting itself in these events, and roused the spectutors, S. Corry distinguishing hiinself by bis skill in following pace at nearly 50 miles per hour, for three miles which lie covered in 4min. 42 l-ssecs. Many motorists are now making arrangements for their Christmas and New Year tours. In this connection it js well to remind motorist that the success and pleasure to be derived from touring is greatly dependent on having their car or motor cycle equipped with tyres in good condition, and capable of standing up to tho work ahead of them. It is as well to remember that your car is no better than its tyres. Those contemplating lengthy tours who have tyres nearly worn out on their cur, or motor cycle, should equip new tyres and ensure trouble-free motoring at a time when it is most desirable. The old tyres can be refitted later on and worn out under conditions nearer home.

Pace is still mounting up in automobile racing. Word is to hand from America giving details of ij, remarkable performance by the American crack, T, Milton, who covered during a race 250 miles in 2 hours 6min. 56ec., equal to an average speed of over 118 miles per hour for the full distance. The first 50 miles were negotiated at a speed of over 120 miles per hour, whilst driving several laps the pace reached near 126 miles per hour. Many motorists whose cars are insured do not seem to realise how important a question this is for them. Should the car bo burnt or stolen it dawns on them that they should find out how they stand. A good number of them will then discovor that the a>/)unt for which they insured the car is more than the amount which they are entitled to recover from the insurance company. That amount really is tho market value of the car at the dale of the claim. Now what is the market value of tho car? The insurance companies procedure is to ascertain the date of manufacture and the price for which the car was sold when it left the works. They will then proceed to arrive at a fair, market value as follows: The car cost when new £350. It was 10 years old when it was destroyed. Depreciation will be reckoned at the rate of 20 per cent per annum for the ten years which it has been in service. The insurance company involved will probably offer the assured something above this figure, which offer is fair and reasonable, and more than the actual value of tho car on the murket. The owner will probably rush off to the insurance company to explain that his car was not the usual type of car as sold on the second-hand market, that it was in magnificent condition, and lie was offered £2OO for it the day before the unfortunate occurrence, and so on and so forth, none of

liich reasons hold water, especially in the last one, which is a case of neglected opportunity, and has no bearing whatsoever on the question of the market value. Alotorists should examine their policies carefully and understand the terms thereof. If they cannot interpret them to their satisfaction they should consult a qualified assessor. He can readily tell the assured what, he will in all probability be paid should he be so unfortunate as to have the car destroyed. Taranaki County Council, which controls the area around New Plymouth, intends to watch carefully during the holidays for motorists exceeding the speed limit.