COST OF FAST DRIVING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22046, 28 February 1935, Page 17

COST OF FAST DRIVING

Quito apart from tho risks which might arise, unduly fast driving is costly because of the effects which it produces on tyre and petrol mileage, and the wear and tear of the chassis. The owner who wishes to obtain lone and trouble-free service from his car does not drive it "Hat out" whenever a safe stretch of road entices him to increase speed, but is content to keep up a fair average pace and, preferably, that which he has learnt by experience is the one at which the engine purrs sweetly at moderate throttle. While it is impossible to lay down any hard and fast rules for every type of car, it is interesting to note tho results of independent experiments made by European and American engineers. These tests, it is reported, revealed that operating costs were sometimes more than trebled when an average speed of 55 m.p.h. was maintained, as compared with one of 35 m.p.h. Tyre wear and petrol consumption were found to be .frequently doubled at p, rate of some 50 m.p.h. as compared with one not exceeding 35 m.p.h., and other expenses of running were increased proportionately. It is not suggested that the figures quoted are applicable to every case, as a great deal depends on the make of car and the nature of the road, but motorists who habitually drive fast might bear the general* statement in mind and realise that good fuel and tyre mileages and longevity of the engine are incompatible with ruthless speeding.