PETROL SAVING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19953, 10 November 1934, Page 10

PETROL SAVING

THE THINGS THAT COUNT Hints for motorists who want to get 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 revelas that there is a wide variance in the milage obtained from the same car and motor spirit under varying speeds, temperatures, road conditions, and different drivers. Among the findings are the following:— 1. The average motor vehicle attains its best milage from motor spirit at a speed of 20 to 25 miles an hour. Then the milage drops constantly until, at 60 miles an hour the milage is cut almost in half. 2. Maximum milage is obtained after the engine has been running about 1$ hours. The difference in milage between a cold motor and one that has been warmed up is about five miles per gallon. 3. Motor oil that is too heavy will cut milage down by one to two miles per gallon, while a lighter weight oil increases milage by eliminating oil drag and by giving more thorough lubrication.

4. The motorist going up a 10 per cent, grade will lose as much as eight 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 asphalt roads give the best milage, 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 free wheels averages an extra mile or two per gallon, compared to the average good driver. The man who idles his engine, incessantly, uses his brake excessively, or runs his engine needlessly loses as much as two miles per gallon.