THE MOTOR WORLD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20703, 29 April 1929, Page 4

THE MOTOR WORLD.

By ACCELERATOR.

SOUTHLAND MOTOR GYOLE CLUB. June 3.—Reliability trial. ■ THE SELF-STARTER. I’ew motorists realise the huge momentary power supplied by the self-starter. In the first rush of current before the engine is spinning steadily, a self-starter may be drawing over 200 amperes or 50 times as much as is required by the head lamps. A 12-volt system furnishing 200 amperes represents a power of 2400 watts, or more than three horse-power. Provided the engine is in good order, this huge current is required for only a second or so. A test with a standard 12-volt system showed that when the switch was pressed a current of 154 amperes flowed until the Bendix pinion meshed and took up the load. There was then a sudden increase to 228 amperes and once the flywheel moved freely the current fluctuated at about 100 amperes. THE GOLDEN ARROW. Few experts anticipated that Major H. O. D. Segravc would place the flying mile record as high as 231 1-3 m.p.b. Before the car left England there was the usual crop of rumours regarding the safety of the vehicle, it being darkly hinted that forces would be brought into play which would overturn the car at, perhaps, 220 m.p.h. Now that Segrave J las _ driven this fine car so magnificently, it is of interest to refer to an incident before the car was shipped to Daytona. A certain driver communicated with those responsible for Segrave’s car, and in a tone of righteous indignation reproached them for being parties to such an extremely dangerous aff iir, suggesting that they ought to have known better, since they must know that Segrave had not driven at all for some time, and could nut therefore tackle the problem. Thus far the matter might just he impertinence, but the driver in question went a stage further and pointed out that the correct thing to do was to tell Segrave that the people concerned could not let him have the car, let him sue them for damages, and, as it were, fade out of the picture. The ingenious gentleman in question would then indemnify them for the damages and—this is the beautiful part—buy the car off them for his own use! COMPULSORY INSURANCE. There are traps for the unwary in the compulsory insurance which is now being issued to motorists (remarks a North Island writer). Drivers are warred to read the schedule of fees very carefully. Unless care is exercised there will be mistakes where private cars are used for business. The fee for a motor ear used purely for pleasure is £l, but if the vehicle is used only occasionally “for the purposes of any trade or business ” the rate is £1 10s. The cars of doctors and social workers are excepted. Hundreds of drivers may unwittingly make a false declaration in this respect, and a penalty up to £lO a day is provided. Further, if a car for which a £1 premium has been paid is used for business, the insurance office may recover the amount of any claim from the owner. The motorist may also become liable for the full cost of any claim if he admits liability, or makes an offer without consent of the insurance company. Compulsory insurance is not intended to provide a benevolent fund for distribution to persons who may he injured through their own carelessness. It does not furnish compensation if there has been no negligence on the part of the driver. For instance,’ an intoxicated pedestrian who reels into the path of a car has no claim, A “ jay-walker ” who puts a driver in a position where accident is unavoidable has no right to compensation. On the other hand, the insurance remains with the car for the period of the number plates, and it is effective whether the vehicle is driven by the owner or by some irresponsible or unauthorised person. It is important that the owner of a private car should remember that if he has paid a fee of £1 he commits an offence if he lends his car to a friend who uses it for a few hours to follow any activity in connection with a trade or business. MOTORISING THE WORLD. The automotive expansion of the various countries of the world from 1922 to s b°wn in the following table, compiled by the American Automobile:— -1

NEW BURDEN ’’OR MOTORISTS. The Melbourne City Council’s new motor parking regulations, under which portions of several of the city streets are set aside for car parking on pavement at Is a day, came into force after the holidays last week. It will' be remembered that the charge was previously imposed, but its validity was challenged by a city solicitor, and the, by-law under which th fe was collected was declared inva! ‘ by the Chief Justice. Later, a special act was passed by Parliament to permit the collection of parking fees, and the intervenin time has been spent in the preparation "of the pj -la\v and in giving notice before it came Into torce. Motorists are not satisfied with the new law. They feel that they, as road users, are being singled out for a special impost, merely for availing themselves of a convenience which is inseparable from modern transport'. The £lO a year, for which periodical, parking tickets are obtainable, is in many r- substantially more than has to be paid in registration fees or for a comprehensive insurance policy, and it is equal to the tax payable on an income of several bun-* dreds of pounds a year. However it is looked at. it forms a heavy additional burden. Motorists consider that they do not receive a fair return, as the Citv Council accepts no responsibility for cars left in the parking areas. The council, however, is no doubt strictly within its legal rights. It claims that its parking attendants hav G instructions to take all reasonable care of cars left in the areas, and to assist in their parking. A bailee for reward, such as the council would seem to be legally in respect ,to this particular activity, is not supposed to be an insurer of property taken in custody, but only to take the care which might reasonably be expected of one who takes payment for that service. No doubt the council would claim that it is taking such care, although accepting no responsibility, and thus fulfilling its obligation. If a car were stolen from a parking area, and the council were proceeded against for daniages, it would probably claim that the care taken in tire particular case was all

Rtami of new*—short descriptions, of tours, the state of the roads, •to., comment, or inquiries will he welcomed bj " Accelerator. J

that the law required, and the plaintiff would not find it easy to prove otherwise. THE MOTOR MARKET. Even after allowance is made for slow winter trade, motor vehicle sales during the next three months will bring New Zealand’s motor fleet up to 200,000 vehicles. The census up to March 31 last revealed that there were 106,579 cars, trucks, buses, and motor cycles in the Dominion. Over 17,500 of the number are out of service with obsolete licenses and number plates, and this total gives au indication of the overstocking with second-hand cars which has occurred. As long as there Continues to be a demand for the six or seven-year-old car at prices from £2O to £SO, it seems that this large figure will show little alteration. As fast as second-hand cars are sold into service again they arc replaced by trade-in vehicles, replacement sales being responsible for such a large proportion of the new car business just now. Unfortunately, the New Zealand ■Motor Trade Association’s scheme last year for the stabilisation of the secondhand market failed. Some system of uniformity in prices would certainly result in the purging of the ranks of old cars, and there would bo more scrapping of worthless materiaal. At present almost any car which will move under its own power appears to have a value. The value is artificial, but under the present system of trading-in with one dealer endeavouring to outbid another to make a new car sale, the old vehicle is allowed for at a price which will'not permit scrapping. So the circulation continues—-from garage to optimistic owner, and eventually back to the garage. Imports of new vehicles during the first two months of this year were very heavy. The total was .5308 cars, chassis, and commercial vehicles, as compared with 1791 for January and February of 1928. Car imports were valued at £589,388 for the two months, car chassis at £15,757, complete commercial vehicles at £25,518, and commercial chassis at £152,751. Following arc details of , the imports for the two months:— CARS. Complete. Chassis Only, No. No. Canada .. ~ 1927 43 United States 1466 19 Great Britain 502 38 Belgium .... 2 7 3897 107 COMMERCIAL VEHICLES:-'. Complete. Chassis. Canada .. .. 201 489 United States 8 469 Great Britain 3 112 Belgium .... i 212 1092 COLD WEATHER STARTING. The problems of cold weather starting are beginning to force themselves on Auckland motorists. Some owners are so fortunate as to own damp-proof garages, but even miljJ winters make many cars whimsical. There is a tendency to overload the self-starter and battery in winter. Sluggish starting, short running, and prolonged use of the lights does not give the battery a very good chance to keea fully, charged. Any air leaks in the induction system may cause trouble at low temperatures. - Every large service station in Auckland can report instances of batteries being ruined in six months. On the other hand there are drivers to-day getting prompt starts and good performance from three-year-old batteries. It will be found that the majority of the latter are cautious men, who ease the engine with the crank, when starting from cold in winter. • Difficult starting can still, even on modern engines, be traceable to the use ;of the wrong kind of-oil. There are very few British cars now for which the use of a heavy oil is advocated by the makers, but there are still some Continental makers who recommend an ell which is associated with the lubrication of aircooled motor cycle power units. The great advance made during the past few years in 'he refining and blending of automobile lubricants have resulted in oils being produced that, whi.e maintaining their viscosity and lubricating properties for a long period, and even when exposed to great beat, do not gum up the pistons in their cylinders when cold. If starting trouble is traceable to gummed-up pistons, therefore, a change to a more suitable grade of oil is indicated. The unavoidable use of the choke or strangler in cold weather allows quantities of unexploded fuel to leak past the piston rings into the crankcase. Oil. dilution occurs to a very noticeable extent in wellworn cars. In. summer petrol may be present to the extent of perhaps one part in 20 in the sump, but the proportion may he two or three times greater in winter. Second grade petrols not only make starting more difficult, but they increase oil dilution. When a fuel of low volatility is being used a start can often be effected by warming the induction manifold with a cloth, which has been immersed in boiling water. An old trick, often tried on the roadside, is to remove two or three spark plugs and. heat the points fay burning a small quantity of petrol. Motorists who have done considerable summer touring, and who have had the generator regulated down to perhaps 6 or 7 amperes will find it wise to increase the output to 10 amperes during the winter. Large batteries may require a still higher rate, but in any case the rate which proved suitable under extensive summer running is.not likely to keep a battery in good condition under winter restrictions. MOTOR CYCLE NOTES. It is - estimated that the .‘ number< of motor cycles produced in Prance last year wag approximately 100,000. * • • This year there Will be a massed start in the Ulster Grand Prix. It will probably be on the lines of the Ulster car race, the riders running to their machines parked on the opposite side of the road. * • • Pulling up recently to assist a motor cyclist who had had a spill, I inquired for a spanner. “ Never bother with one,” he blandly remarked. The pratice is an unwise one, but in this instance is .testimony indeed to the reliability of the modern motor cycle. * # * , A large gathering assembled recently at an English■> aerodrome to witness tests of aircraft running on fuel distilled from British coal.. The "spirit was obtained by the low-temperature carbonisation process and the tests left the spectator wondering how soon this fuel would be available for road vehicles. FOOTBALL ON MOTOR BIKES. Since its introduction a few years ago, motor cycle football in Australia has become so popular that it is evidently a game with a future {says A. J. S. Chatter) . In consequence of the interest displayed in it by local clubs, the A.C.U. drew up

a number of laws governing the game, based on the rules of Association football. In some respects motor cycle football is considerably more attractive than the Association game. For one thing it is much faster, and the presence of the speed element involves copsiderably more skill so far as ball control is concerned, A member of a motor cycle football team must be essentially a good rider, and ready to take risks. Public interest in the game is growing, although naturally the gates do not in any way compete with those attracted by ordinary Association football. As at present constituted, the laws provide that the teams shall consist of six players on each side mounted on solo motor cycles of any capacity. The teams wear distinctive jerseys. The dimensions of the field of play are in accordance with those provided for by the regulations governing Association football. The 1 ordinary type of football is employed and the game lasts 60 minutes, ends being changed at half time. Goals are scored in the usual manner. MOTOR CYCLING IN FRANCE. Definite proof of the wonderful growth of the motor cycle movement in France is to be found in Government statistics for 1928, which reveal an increase of 30.5 per cent, in the number of machines exported and of 71 per cent, in imports. Contrary to the general impression it is not Great Britain which supplies the greatest number of machines to France, but Belgium, which last year sent in 1998 cycl ® s ' having a value of about £55,000. British machines numbered 482, valued at £23,740. It is curious to note that while the British machines have the normal avera?e,ya u ® of about £SO, the average value ot tlie Belgium machines is under £2B -This suggests that the British machines are mostly of the high class, expensive ype. Evidently American motor cycles are not appreciated, for only 24 were imported into France last year. France exported 6778 motor cycles durtog 1928 of which 1400 went to Switserciw and U “ to Spain ‘ Other S '“h ' ver ° A, g® ria > Tunisia, Germany, ■proJ^° roCC t °' TLe avera ee value of the French motor cycles sent abroad was a little over £26. SPARKS. 2 ' 0 ° ) 0,000 acres of in the Resent time 6 . 5 “ producin S oil at the • • • At the beginning of March petrol prices advanced from ls 4?d to Is 7cl in London! This includes a 4d petrol tax. • • * sswnS th il fir6t c tw ° months of year 0,808,092 gallons of motor spirit were imported into New Zealand. * * ft Carry your mascot—Big Tree Motor Spint-m your tank. Good luck wiU follow in your wheel tracks.—Advt. # * Imports of mineral lubricating oil into the Dominion during the first two months oi this year totalled 432,506 gallons. • « • Nearly 1000 garages and tyre retailers have accepted a tyre policy evolved by the New Zealand Motor Trade Association lor the stabilisation of prices, * * # How did your wife persuade you to buy a new car ? The old one didn’t match this year’s license plate. ** * ■ Excluding commercial vehicles, 2380 cars were exported last January from the United Kingdom, while in January of 1928 the number was 1534 and 1543 in January, 1927. * * » Careless drivers call it petrol. Careful motorists cdll it Big Tree—and always ask for it by name.—Advt. * # • Motor tyres and tubes valued at £216,654 were imported into New Zealand during the first two months of this year. Canada’s supplies. were valued at £134,216, while £60,017 of the amount was in respect to British tyres. « • • Daughter: Mother, do you .want me to put the parrot on the back, porch? Mother: Positively no! Your father is repairing the car in the back yard. • * • Officer: Hey! Where d’yuh think you're goin’? Mr Meeker: Be easy on me, officer. This is the first time I haven’t had my wife along to tell me. • • «. You do not learn to like Big Tree Motor Spirit. You like it at once, and always fterwards,—Advt. * * • When adjusting brakes, an easy and certain method of ascertaining if the drums are free is to tap them gently with a spanner. They will ring with a bell-like note if the shoes are not touching them, # ’* • . Auto Salesman: What type of car do you like? . Pedestrian; None of ’em—l just came in here to enjoy being among a few that I don’t have to jump from. * * * Tourist: You’ve got a big farm here, but it’s all covered with rocks. I don’t see how you make a living on it. Farmer: Wal, y’ere going t’ see. I own all the mud-hole rights on this detour. • * • - When the time arrives to drain used oil from the_ engine, gear .box, or back axle and put in a fresh supply, choose, the moment when the car comes in from a run to drain out the old oil. It will then be warm and will flow more readily. • > i Get ihe right pul (1) in propulsion—have none but Big Tree Motor Spirit in your tank.—Advt.

Country 1922 1929 Per cent. Increase 1 South Africa Egypt .. Australia .. New Zealand India .. .. Malay .. Italy Holland Denmark • .. Prance .. Germany Great Britain Switzerland.. Czechoslovakia Spain . . Argentina .. Brazil .. Uruguay Venezuela ,. Canada .... United States 26,468 125,850 376 5,084 89,191 37,500 45,983 8,000 25,720 515,851 125,690 131,500 30,896 407 478 238 186 2S6 53,000 13,500 172,000 85,500 224 532 22,260 287,188 « 91,385 497,582 18,011 4,133 37,560 75,000 25,000 10,000 2,500 4G3.448 10,505,660 88,898 1,108,900 545,100 1,372,109 61,000 49,151 - 156,501 299,839 155,000 34,591 15,750 1,061,828 24,494,580 300 285 496 179 239 1,090 316 300 520 245 530 129 133 World .. . . World less U.S. 12,588,349 2,083,289 31,929,952 7.435.372 154 256 Motor cycles not included.