Motorists

Waipukurau Press, Volume XIV, Issue 45, 19 April 1930, Page 2

Motorists

MOTOR BOAT SPEED RECORD.

Messrs C. C. Wakefield and Co., Ltd., have received cable advice from London to the effect that the forthcoming motor boat world’s speed championship will be held at Detroit U.S.A, in September next. Britain will be represented by Miss Betty Carstairs, the famous lady motor boat racing enthusiast driving her new wonded boat. Miss Estelle A . The craft row under construction is 28'feet long and is fitted with two super charged Napier Schneider engines each of which develops 1300 h.p. The existing motor boat' world’s speed championship is held by Sir Henry Scgrave at a speed of 87.2 miles per hour with “Miss England,” but Miss Carstairs hopes to eclipse this record by a considerable margin in this row 2,600 h.p. craft. STOPPING- DRAUGHTS. Ever, body is fond of fresh air, but nobod, likes draughts. A surprising amount of draught can penetrate into a car hrough badly-closed windscreen; as very few windscreens are opened during he cold weather, it adds greatly to com rt if the screen is fastened firmly. Added convenience can be obtained bj taking up the floor mats and lining e bottom of the car with felt. This in ceases the softness of the floor, and if he opera-ion is done with care it will prevent Iraughts coming through cracks in the fluor-boards and the slots through which the pedal levers work, and i: will also prevent water from a thoroughly wet road being shoi into the interior.

ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL. The et£cet of driving a car at nigkt for several hours is really responsible for more®accidents than defective coastruction, according to statistics (states an exchange), The constant vibration of the steering wheel, the continuous noise of the machine, and drone of the wind have the same effect as does the "buzz of on electric fan: Before the driver realises if. he is getting drowsy. The wheel is held more loosely. Gradually the car takes the line of least resistance aided by the slackening (but. not totally abandoned) control of the driver. The next thing he knows he is off the road. Sometimes the car overturns. Sometimes the driver escapes, together with the occupants of the ear. Often the dereliction results in injury or death. If mere drivers realised the danger of not keeping awake there would be fewer accident's. DID YOU KNOW? That a thin coating of grease is best to seal a cylinder head gasket? That every motorist should learn the ‘‘fc-el” of having his ear under control? That a section of an old tube makes an excellent temporary blow-out' patch for a tyre? That when making minor repairs, stop th" "ar where it can be seen from both directions? That allowing the lights to burn unnecessarily is one source of drain on a weak battery? That a defective or missing spark plug remains cold after a thorough running of the engine? That water to which a little ammonia is added makes an excellent cleaner for leather upholstery? That the battery is weak if headlights are very dim at low car speeds and very bright when going faster?

SQUEAKING BRAKES. One hears a variety of reasons why brakes squeak, and, as a matter of fact, there are numerous causes of this annoyance. Very seldom, however, is consideration given to the centring of brake shoes. When' all brakes -were external contracting even the most inexperienced owner could appreciate that if the bands did not squeeze around the drums evenly certain “high spots” would come in contact with the drum first, and vibrate. If squeaking persists, and other simple remedies have been tried unsuccess fully, it will pay to remove the wheels and see whether the brake shoes expand evenly and tint they are properly centred.

THE BURNING QUESTION.

Recently in England a garage hand was charging the accumulator of a car from a charging board . While the charging was in progress it was decided to supplement the live gallons of petrol in the tank at the riar of the same car from a petrol tank installed in the garage. There was no naked light in the garage, but immediately the metal nozzle of the tank connecting the pipe came into contact with the petrol tank of the ear the rear light was illuminated and the petrol tank of the car burst into flames. Fortunately, the garage tank was still locked, and the Are was quickly extinguished. The questions are: (1) How and why did the petrol in the car tank become ignited? (2) Why was the rear light illuminated? (3) Why was there no explosion when the petrol caught ■’ire? A PUNCTURE KINK. When punctured it is always a wise plan to examine the outside of the cover for nails, etc., before removing the tube. If anything can be detected the leak can be found immediately and a quick repair effected. This is one of the obvious things of motoring that often gets forgotten.

REDUCING TYRE LIFE. Misalignment is a costly error. Suspect it at once if rapid tread wear is noticed. Unnecessary accel -ration and harsh and uneven braking grind off tyre treads. Fast running over stones, potholes, and wavy surfaces reduces tyre life. Drivers should avoid tram hues, especially points; these may rut deeply into the tyre. It is uneconomical to run at high speeds when not necessary; the rate of tread wear increases enormously as speed rises. Regular inspection of tryes and tvlieel rims ensures efficiency, delays and roadside repairs, and promotes economy. Tyres should be removed at fixed periods —it is a good plan to inspect one each week in rotation —rims cleaned, and if necessary' painted, tubes examined for fitness, and all cuts or damage to cover repaired.

WHY TYRES FAIL. Motorists are sometimes puzzled, and inclined to blame the makers for supplying a defective tyre, when a burst occurs at a point or over an area where there has been no outward visible sign of weakness or tread damage. There are two usual cases, neither of which is within the control of the makers. The first and most usual case is under inflation. This permits the tyre to bend or flex extensively, and chafes and weakens the cord of the fabric. These bursts occur through the "walls” of the cover, and if the latter be examined inside it is usual to see a darkish line running all round at each side, converging upon.the centre of the burst.

The second cause, giving rise to what is known as a "concussion” burst consists of running the wheels against or over such things as bricks and kerbsides, When a driver "barges” over a kerb in attempting to reverse in the road width, or in driving into a gateway where no ramp or sloping pavement exists, he encourages a concussion burst, which may not occur, however. for several weeks or even months. Such ill-treatment "bruises” the fabric, as it were, and weakens it. It may or may not be so much weakened as to give way before the tread is worn out; that will depend upon the force of the blow and whether the tyre is properly inflated.

Bursts due to the penetration of the cover by flints and broken gla?s similarly do not occur —or rarely do so — immediately the gash is made. The fabric will gradually disintegrate all round the cut and water will enter and assist the eventual failure of the tyre thereabouts by causing the fabric to rot.

Tyres should be examined every few weeks to see whether cuts and large gashes have been made in the rubber tread; if so, the cover affected should be removed for expert examination of the interior, for it may be possible to ward off an impending burst by suitable treatment, and thus prevent the life of the cover from being shortened unduly.