THE MOTORIST

Northern Advocate, 21 December 1929, Page 15

THE MOTORIST

MOTORING COMFORTS,

Today the motorist stops into his car, turns on the ignition, and is comfortably and confidently on his journey. Twenty years ago, this same motorist, perhaps, used a kettle full of hot water to prime his machine, pouring some of it over the carburettor. Then he would bend over and crank the car; if was adroit at this operation he would escape a broken arm. There were the headlights' that had to be filled with oil in the really early days; a little later carbide lights were introduced. With this method the motorist found it necessary to see that the tank was supplied with water and carbide. Riding over a rough road, and there certainly were plenty of them, the carbide light would suddenly -flare up like Vesuvius, and then .as quickly .fade away. Following tjie carbides came thp ,• acetylene pressure tank, which was quite an improvement. It.will be remembered that all. ftf ! these,, lamps had to be lighted with a match. . :

While there was no such thing as a spark plug 80 odd years age, in the days of sprockets and skepticism . the accepted means of firing the fuel mixture was a' fearful contrivance jenown as a “hot tube,” Equipped with a blow torch the motorist would proceed to heat up the tube. If he could not get the tube hot enough the engine remained dead. If the tube became overheated—hang, backfire, bandages. Under such handicaps laboured the intrepid motorist before he oven put on his gloves and goggles to go forth on his perilous journey. When it looked as though that hardy band of pioneer motorists was destined t for extinction, the “hot tube’’ was discarded in favour of spark plugs. The first spark plugs avert* nothing to enthuse about. They were bought by, the peck and thrown out by the - bushel. But, in the intervening years the motorcar progress, spark plugs, like other component, parts of the motor-cafj have been gradually developed, until they are as nearly perfect as it is possible to ..make them. Cars are being driven longer today." because: of engineering- development and better .driving conditions, and., because',qf the protective devices pur. the car, such as oil.* filters,' air cleaners, crankcas f c yoritilation, - petrol strainers, balloon tyres, shock absorbers, lacquers and paints, and instrument board indicators. Again, another factor of today b* motor-car is the owner’s knowledge t»ib the importance of keeping the car serviced regularly.

FRONT WHEEL TREAD WEAR. Wheel irregularities .of motor vehicles such as a wheel‘ blit of balance, loose bearings, Wheel loose in studs, uneven brake action dr excessive ‘'splay” of the front Wheels, sometimes develops a peculiar tread wear on the tyresy known as "spotty” wear. It is explained that rubber being au elastic aubst|nce, each individual stud forming the tread pattern is displaced or "piled up” immediately in* front, similar'to a bow wave in front of a ship. When Uhe front part of the,stud is released from load, it spring hack to its normalposition, owning to its natural elasticity, dragging' with it the .rear part, which, being, still In contact with is thus r scrap* ed ovortho road Suffice and- subjected, to 'additional ‘abrisioli. Wheel irregularties exaggerate this "piling up” aud, _ when undcr-infiation is present, the lack bl air support results 'in very mueh greater visable to test one’s wheels and steer: ihg frequently. 1