The Motor World

NZ Truth, Issue 569, 13 May 1916, Page 12

The Motor World

(By "Self-Starter.") Aluminium alloy pistons are su- ■; , perior to the cast Iron type, and . aro'l being almost universally' adopted by | the manufacturers of the better olass J of motor caft-s. The aluminium piston \ is conatderably lighter tbAn the csfet- • iron ; piston. The weight of the «dv- j miniunr \Tirlety, roughly speaking; is j ■one-third that of a cast-iron^ type of ' the same design. ; It follows that i the ; Inertia force needed to move the/mass of the piston Is reduced approximately 67 per cent by the aluminium pistons.^ At the same ttme side pressure or" thru3t is reduced m the same ratio. The use of aluminium pistons lowers friction between piston and cylinder ■ wall. Tiio co-efficient of fticOon of, aluminium is approximately one-half 1 that of cast-iron. The gain to ■ talfe feature is increased driving force. Simultaneously a smaller quantity of oil is required to lubricate the cylinders, which means a considerable reduction m operating expenses. Ex-, tended road trials have proved that aluminium 'pistons give greater and cheaper motor power per gallon of gasottne. A distinct advantage that will be appreciated by many motorists Is the fact that aluminium pistons, In case they seize or buckle In extreme beat, are damaged only m rare instances. The cylinder is seldom, if' ever, damaged. Cast-iron pistons under like conditions would: probably score the cylinders, necessitating reboring, fitting new pistons, and frequently a new cylinder bltock. "••:. -.■' •■ ■■'■• '■ :■' -SV'"* - ■ / ' ; There can be little doubt that pro-, perly installed aluminium pistons willpay the car owner big dividends, lie will, be amply reimbursed, not only by saving pounds, shillings and pence, m gasoline oil and 'repairs directly traceable to the vibration of heavy iron pistons, but also m the smoother running, quicker acceleration and increased power of his car. The fact that nearly all lato model cars of the better types, use aluminium pistons m their motors brings the aluminium piston from the doubtful class, and places it m the foremost rank of automobile achievements of late years.

CareleSHnesa ia Ihe real cause .o£ moro than 00 per cent, of an garage flres. and tho following precautions if studied carefully should help considerably to avoid auch disasters, m fact If owners of motor garages cut thia paragraph out and had the same reprinted on a decent card and hung up prominently so as to be studied carefully by those using the garage, they

would have less fear of fires occurring. Absolutely prevent smoking m the garage by anybody— yourself, your friends, your son, your employees, your 'customers. ICeep the garage perfectly clean. Have a self-closing' can m which to throw oily waste and other refuse. Keep the car, and particularly the drip-pan, clean and free- from oil. Instal m the garage an efficient drainage system, which will keep the floor free from pools of gasoline and oil drippings. Never allow &n unguarded flame of any. kind .to- be brought Into the garage. Use no a lighting system but electricity, and protect the bulbs with wire guards. If any lights but electric are used on th'e car, see that they aro put out before the vehicle enters the garage. Be certain that the heating system that you install is absolutely safe. Be sure that the gasoline and oil storage outfit that you are using is approved by the Ore underwriters. In handling gasoline, always treat it with the respect due a potential explosive. Have an adequate number of fire extinguishers and buckets of sand at strategic positions m the garage. It the car actually takes fire m tbo garage, push it out into the open, It possible. Remember that. In regard to garage flres, an ounce of prevention is worth tons of cure. Obviate carelessness m your garage and you have reduced by ninety per cent, the chances of fire. ■ #, ». ■.•■■■• The police should start a campaign against the motorist who drives his car. at night with only one of the front lights burning, "Self-Starter" haa noticed several Instances lately of this sort of neglect, and now that the winter is. here and with' the demand for earlier lighting, this should bo speedily attended to. Accidents of late have been too numerous. Many reasons, perhaps, could be given for such occurIngv Quo of the most dangerous roads m the Wellington, district is that of tho old Karori-road, leading up from Aro-street. Here some motorists fly round corner after corner and never dream of using their motor horns, and on several occasions of Into several narrow escapes have been made where mqtoriats, both by car and cycle, have had to slow down and allow other vehicles to pass. It would bo well If the "John Hop" Department placed an ofllcer here, for it's a "quid" to a pin he would land one or two a night who refrain from using: their aafoty appliances. Tho same occurs by day, and when young children corning and gp j n£ trom school use this road, parents living m the district havo always held this road m fear of an accident occurring, because motorists will per- ' slat m travelling ut an enormous rate, and taking all tho corners without onoo using their motor horn to warn pedestrians of their approach. It h$ to be hoped that a move will be made m this matter before It is too late. Perhaps a suggestion to the Council Board governing this road would not bo out of place, and that Ib, that noj tico iritroß for motorists to use their i shriekers should bo placed hero and there at convenient places.