MORE MILES TO GALLON

Taranaki Daily News, 14 November 1934, Page 14

MORE MILES TO GALLON

PETROL SAVING METHODS. Hints for motorists who want to obtain more miles to the gallon are contained in a report released by engineers of an American oil company after a three months’ exhaustive run of specially equipped test cars. The report shows that there is a wide variance in the mileage obtained from the same car and motor spirit under varying speeds, tempertures, road conditions, and different drivers. Among the findings ai;e the following:— 1. The average motor vehicle attains Its best mileage from motor spirit at a speed of 20 to 25 miles an hour. Then the mileage drops constantly until, at 60 miles an hour, the mileage is cut almost In half. 2. Maximum mileage is obtained after the engine has been running about one and a half hours. The difference in mileage between a cold motor and one that has been warmed up is about five miles a gallon. 3. Motor oil that is too heavy will cut mileage down by one to two miles a gallon, while a lighter weight oil increases mileage by eliminating oil drag and by giving more thorough librication. 4. The motorist going up a 10 per cent, grade will *.o’3e as much as eignt miles a gallon, and on a 5 per cent grade as much as four miles a gallon. 5. The difference between going with a 20-mile wind and against a 20-mile wind is three miles a gallon. 6. Concrete and ashphalt roads give the best mileage, with hard dirt, hard oil. crushed rock and gravel, sand and mud roads next in order. The temperament and experience of the man or woman at the wheel is a very important factor. The man who declutches or tree wheels averages an extra mile or two a gallon, compared to the average good driver. The man who idles his engine incessantly uses his brakes excessively, or runs his engine needlessly loses as much as two miles a gallon.