Fresh Air and Draughts

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23773, 28 September 1940, Page 8 (Supplement)

Fresh Air and Draughts

VENTILATION is an important factor in pleasant motoring. It is unfortunately a problem of which a complete solution has not yet been found, the reason being that a car is run under such widely differing conditions as to speed, environment and direction. There are, however, various expedients which may be beneficial in most circumstances. Motorists should bo on their guard against certain ailments caused by their desire to- securo plenty of fresh air for themselves and their passengers. Dis-

| The Difference : How many motorists know the j difference between the term horse- : power and braise horsc-poWer? ActuI ally, there is no relation between the : two figures. The rated horse-power ( is calculated from a jormula which, : only takes the bore of the cylinder j into account, whereas brake horsej poioer is that actually developed and • measured on a "brake" or. testing : machine.

regard of a ceaseless current of air from any direction, even •in warm weather, is known to have caused neuralgia, stiiT neck and shoulders, and even neuritis in the upper arm. An ear com plaint is sometimes suffered by drivers through having their window open irrespective of the climate.

How an ample supply of fresh air can bo had inside the car without a continuous draught being felt by any of the occupants has to be studied and sometimes frequently readjusted in tho course of a journey. No general rule can be laid down as applicable .to all circumstances, or even to two different cars closely following ono another throughout a run. The size and shape of a car are factors of some importance. Each driver should take the trouble to experiment. He will soon be able to judge what is best to be dono with his

IMPORTANCE OF'PROPER VENTILATION

car in each of many different combinations of circumstances. Ho should not overlook the windscreen, even on a. cold day, let alone a hot one, because, it can often be used to securo adequato ventilation without a draught, sometimes with and sometimes without a window being open. ft is not widely known that when a sedan is being driven in a strong wind blowing from one side, it is often bettor to liavo a rear window on tho windward side slightly open than any on tho leeward side. This may seem unreasonable, but it is truo. It is probably duo to the movement of the car causing the main exterior current of air to swirl away from tho windward side of tho body near the back.

There are , times when no draught will be felt by any occupant if one window on each side is opened, and yet with ono of them closed there may be a draught. On a warm day plenty of air without a draught can often bo obtained with all windows closed and the sliding roof partly open, whereas with even ono window slightly open there will be a draught, which, although perhaps pleasant as a cooling breeze, may bring, unpleasant aftereffects.