HIGHROAD AND BY-ROAD

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15061, 7 October 1922, Page 20 (Supplement)

HIGHROAD AND BY-ROAD

(By “Crank.’D

Fuel Experiments

The .praelicai value of research in matters perlainiTig to the motor car is well illustrated in the material collected by the Umpire Motor Fuels Committee as the results of a large number of experiments carried out on the single cylinder, variable compression engine, specially designed a.nd made by Messrs Hiceurdo and Co. loff that purpose. The main object of (lie commilLee was to determine the practical value of ulcohoi as a motor-fuel, and the conditions essential to its most efficient and economical combustion.

We believe (says the Field) that the experiments made demonstrated Lliat alcohol can be satisfactorily employed at all practical compressions, from the low limit employed on petroleum engines to something very much more excessive than is practicable with

petrol or benzoic. The lower the compression, however, the greater (lie fuel consumption for equivalent work, although the thermal efficiency of alcohol exceeds that of petrol. One of the most interesting matters determined is that ignition must bo more advanced

fdr alcohol than petrol or benzole, arguing that the process of combustion is slower, particularly when the mixture is weak; but nevertheless it is sufficiently rapid for any and every purpose of the internal combustion engine of to-day. Another was that, contrary to assertions' made and accepted in the past, there is no cylinder corrosion accompanying the use of

pur e alcohol. Other points arc a necessity to maintain a relatively lower temperature in the waler-cooling system in order to W:cur c the maximum power output. Heating the carburettor reduces tlic power output, but raises the thermal efficiency, and the admixture of water with the alcohol up fo 10 per cent in volume is an advantage, when high compressions arc adopted.

Mileage Doubled in Modern Tyres. The base of tyre-building is cotton fabric, built up ply on ply to form the carcase of the lyre. Each ply of , fabric is indeed impregnated with rubber, and protective coverings of resilient shock-absorbing rubber form sidewall and tread, but,, fabric furnishes the base. Each shock of the

ruad, each tension brought by sudden swerving to avoid obstacles, each demand on Hie. tyres brought by a sharp turn at high sliced, gives a. twinge to I lie fabric, within. In the square woven fabric, originally used in all lyres, and used in Hie so-called “fabric'’ lyre, the cross woven threads

were continually sawing against the i threads which lie Hie long way of the J cloth. This not only had a wearing j effect on Hie cloth, but set up such a , degree of heal as to lake the life out j of Hie rubber with which Hie fabric j

was impregnated, indeed, heated up sidewalls and thread in such a way as to shorten their life. Then came the cord lyre, and in a | cord tyre Hie heavy threads of cords lie side by side, without cross threads,

being held together by the rubber with which they arc impregnated. The rubber also separates cord ply from cord ply, so that in nn place is there chance for friction. Further to safeguard 111 is, 11 in STonpod-ply construc-

tion was worked out in Ihe Or.odyearl Tyro and Bobber Company’s laboratories. tinder Ibis plan, two or Ihrec plies are buill up. tile cords running in

Hie same direction. Then comes a coal

r f rubber, called 111,- squeegee coal, separating this group of plies from Ihe

im-xI wliieh mil at rigid angles to Hi'' first. Ami sm mi till -he lyre is built, up la ils required number of I'lies.

All lyre users have had the beiiefil of Ihe improvement in lyr,. building. Where a few years ago lyres were hardly ''Xpecled lo give more. Ilian .mho tnih s of use. now ear owners generally get I wiry I hat. mileage, and thousands have got far in excess of

GOOO miles from standard makes of lyr6s. The Future of Friction Drive. , At’a time like the present, when the construction c-,f smaller types of automobiles is emerging from the nebulous slage and is settling down to follow accepted lines, the question .whether friction drive lias or has not a future is pertinent, says the Light Car (Eng-

land). The system of transmitting the power of the engine to the road wheels through two fraction road discs so arranged that, the speed ratio can he varied, possesses one outstanding advantage in that the so-called “gear change” can be made with absolute

ease,* and certainly no matter how inexpert tiie driver may be. Against this we have the undeniable laets that friction drive is apt to be

! noisy, the discs occupying valuable I chassis space, for of necessity they are large, and again there are the everpresent possibilities of rapid wear, resulting in frequent adjustment and the | probability of slip when it is least dcI sired-—ic., on bottom gear. It will be 1 admitted that those manufacturers j who have standardised friction drive have largely overcome these difficul- ! ties, and there is no gainsaying the i truth that friction drive gives more efficient gear reductions, so that the

hill-climbing ebililies ,of the cars so equipped are markedly good. The oft-repealed tag of “infinitely variable” friction gear needs due considoralion, for it must be realised that

most friction-driven cars have their “gear” levers so arranged that four definite forward ratios are afforded, willi, of course, a reverse, so that four speeds only ar e available at any one lime. \V e ourselves arc inclined to think that the possibilities of friction drive are not yet fully explored, that it will always find a place on certain types of economical family cars; and that its simplicity of operation will always make it of strong appeal to a certain section of the motoring public.

Road Courtesy. Let the other fellow have the other half of the road. Swing out with safety to let the hurried driver pass. When you hear a. horn—it may be your brother’s —give ground. If a man’s in trouble—Bo a good Samaritan. | Give (be woman driver a chance, j Credit the other driver with business just as important as yours—until you know different. Say, “The road wasn’t wide enough” instead of “Why didn’t you keep over on your own side?" Smile. Make friends with every driver—they may help you some lime. The man who bumped you may feei worse Mian you do. Smile—Keep Smiling. -On the Highways—Courtesy alone is King.