DANGER OF FIRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21276, 1 September 1932, Page 5

DANGER OF FIRE

DEALING W!TH outbreaks

STEPS IN QUELLING FLAMES

Firo 5S perhaps ono of the greatest c: igers that can beset a motor-car, and the peril is magnified by the fact that comparatively few drivers understand the reason for the fire or know how to cope •with even a minor outbreak "While in ffomo cases fires aro started by a defect Jn the electrical wiring system, and are eiasy to deal with because they do not quickly assume large proportions and can be usually detected in the incipient stages, lha greater number of outbreaks aro caused by burning gases reaching the carburetter *s the result of a backfiro througK an inlet valve. If a fire occurs the petrol tap leading from the vacuuir tank or tho main tank, if the fuel system is by gravity feed from tho dash, should at onco be turned off. This precaution is most necessary with tho gravity system as it is almost impossible to smother the flames nvhen fresh fuel is being supplied coutinuously. When the tap lias been turned off, if the engine is still running tho throttle should be opened to the fullest, sucking tho flames into the intako manifold and quickly M ing all tho fuel in the float bowl of the carburetter. If tho engine lias stopped when tho backfire occurs, it may bo possible t9 start it, and if it responds to the starter tho samo proceduro should bo followed.

If the engine cannot be run and tho flames require to be extinguished by other means, an old coat, rug or pieco of sacking, in fact, any material handy, should be thrown over the seat of the fire. The idea i} to cot 08 the supply of air from the fire and smother it, and if no material ig available, earth or sand should be thrown over the outbreak, producing the suns effect. Motorists should avoid the temptation to use water, as this will only spread the burning fuel and make matters ■worse. To beat the flames with a hat or cap only fans them into greater activity. If the car carries a fire extinguisher, which is an essentisi part of any car's equipment, and in many cases helps to pay for itself by a reduction in the insurance premium, it is well to ascertain how this works -when it is purchased, in order that no valuable time is wasted if a, fire occurs. The extinguisher should also be inspected occasionally to see that h remains in working order, as if it is carried from year to year without use it may be found that when it is needed It cannot be brought into use at a moment's notice. Motorists should remember that when fearfch or sand has been brought into use to extinguish a small oefbreak, a certain amount of abrasive ma'.fc may find its way the engine or and a rompletq. .change of lubricant and a thorough inspection and cleaning of component parts is usually indicated. EXCESSIVE TYEE WEAR Petrol and tyres are the two nece;isitiea of motoring which absorb most of the money spent in keeping the car on the/ road. Tyres to-day wear much longer than they, did some few years ago, while they cost lass in upkeep and replacement and user's yC:o not have the tyre trouble they had comparatively recently. Tyre wear is largely a matter of the user. Grranted good tyres on a properlyaligned car, and of a calibre equal to ihe load and speeds normally operative, little trouble should be experienced The life of, tyres has increased wonderfully in the last few years and mileages .are attained which would have been considered remarkable only a comparatively short time ago. But even with this increased efficiency and long service which the modern tyre will give, there is room for the motorist to get the greatest value for his money by careful use and continued care for his tyres. He has it in his own power to reduce or extend their working life according to the manner in which he drives.

TyreS are not intended to stand up to ''stunt'' performances. The sudden brak- ( mg and violent accelei'ation of a car, S'ach as is delighted in by young "sports" drivers, is not good for tyres. Sudden stopping and rapid starting do more to wear and overstrain tyres than miles upon miles of ordinary careful driving. Often tyro trouble, which ra?y become seriously expensive, starts with this stunting, and once started, tyre trouble has a way of developing rapidlv. The fabric which forms, the basis of the tyre and through which the whole of the eugine power has to be transmitted in the case of the rear tyres, has an enormous strain constantly imposed upon it. It is only because of the number of the strand 3 of the fabric and the careful tensioning of them in manufacture that they bear their share of the enormous combined load which the tyre has to carry, and of the big pressures which the propulsion of the car and its load impose upon them.