HIGH-ROAD AND BY-ROAD

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19462, 29 December 1934, Page 20 (Supplement)

HIGH-ROAD AND BY-ROAD

“WARMING UP.” THE ENGINE OF TO-DAY. 11 There is considerable difference of opinion among motorists as to ‘warming up’ an engine when first starting it up,” says “ Modern Travel. Some motorists start their engines and leave them running them for several minutes before taking the car out on the road. There is something to he said for this practice in cold weather, for a cold engine should not be put immediately under load; but-in warm weather it is unnecessary to keep an engine -running for any length of time before driving away. “Recent investigations in regard to cylinder and piston wear have revealed that cylinder wear occurs much more rapidly at low temperatures -than at a normal running temperature. It may, therefore be asumed that prolonged running with an engine “idling” induces cylinder wear, as a general guide, as soon as an engine is running evenly after, first starting up, the car can he driven off, although this does not imply that a high speed should immediately be attempted. In effect, the ‘warming up’ period should be completed on the road, and this period naturally varies according to the season of the, year and the prevailing temperature. Actually, the ability to drive a vehicle straight away lias been enormously improved4in recent years owing to improved lubrication -not merely improvement in ■ the lubrication system, but improvement m the lubricant itself. Quite light oils are used to-day where a few years ago the lubricant was such that when cold it was very sluggish, the result being that pistons would run dry for a minute or two before the oil j began to reach them. -Forced feed with light oils has'quite supplanted the old splash and heavy oil type of lubrication that originally prevailed, and even upper cylinder lubrication is now unnecessary and one rarely hears mention of it. There has been a great ■advance in the metals used in the construction of engines, and bearings, aro a much closer fit than they used to be. There is no room for a heavy lubricant, and sufch should not be used, even in the height of summer. The lubricant should respond at once to the pressure of the pumP, and the modern engine should be able, in New Zealand at any rate, regardless of the season of the year, to take its load practically straight away. The engine should not be raced; but it should be driven sufficiently fast to ensure an abundant oil flow while it is-warming up to its -work. * This is . a process that takes only a fraction or the time that once was required; numerous alterations in design,- particularly in regard to water circulation, have -attended ito this.' Use of too heavy a. lubricant however, may easily nullify all that has been accomplished.

FATIGUE ON LONG TRIPS. A FEW TIPS FOR DRIVERS. OLD METHODS OBSOLETE. Drivers unaccustomed to long journeys often tire after the first 100 miles has been travelled. The weariness is a mental as well as a physical condition, and to continue to drive In sueli circumstances is neither pleasant nor safe. Such motorists will find it advantageous to rest for a quarter of ail hour. Not only will their aches disappear, but. their alertness will return, and a new interest will he taken in the trip. On sunny -days coloured glasses will assist in preventing headaches, due to concentration on the glaring roads. Tight-fitting hats should he avoided, and a consLant current of fresh air should be provided. Relief can he obtained,' 100, by occasionally altering the angle of the seat. Place f under the fore edge of the

A COLUMN FOR MOTORLSTS.

cushion a couple or Hat. pieces of wood half an inch thick. This will slightly tilt the seat backward and give increased support to the muscles of the thigh. DUNLOP EQUIPMENT. During the past two years there has been a 'remarkable development throughout Great Britain in Dunlop pneumatic equipment for horse-drawn vehicles. Not only are pneumatic tyres being extensively used on vehicles for haulage on farms, but a great many business firms utilising horse-drawn lorries have had. their vehicles converted to pneumatics on account of the many advantages associated with their use. Carts for transport of milk, aerated waters, bread, etc., by the thousands-are now running on air tyres because horses become less fatigued, maintanenaee charges are reduced, loads are protected from jolting, and comparative silence is achieved —a feature much appreciated by town dwellers, particularly In the early hours of the morning. fi’iiis equipment enables 50 per cent, heavier loads to he carried than when hauled on iron tyres. Higher speeds can be maintained and smoother progress made. Air supports the load instead of iron. Draught is eased on rough roads, and as the load is distributed over a larger lyre surface, vehicles so lilted can be hauled over surfaces that are practically impassable to the ordinary iron-tyred wheeled vehicle. SPARKS. The more patient pedestrians, the fewer pedestrian patients. “Hullo I Got a new car? What is it?” “A fifteen.” “Horse-power?” "No. Monthly instalments."

Drivers’ licenses cannot be renewed in California without the applicant first passing a vision test. A written examination and driving test must also be taken if the examiner so decides.

Never' hammer a projecting thread to shift a tight bolt. Hold a piece of lead or wood over the end of the thread or knock the bolt out with a wooden mallet or copper hammer so as to avoid damaging the thread.

If the electric horn appears sluggish, remove the motor cover and add a few drops of oil to llie bearing- at each end of the armature shaft. To ensure effective tone Hie armat-uie shaft should he lubricated at least every two months.

The figures for* world car production show that 1,835,000 units were produced in the first five of this year, compared with with .1,076,282 units for the corresponding period last year.

In the event of a fuse blowing out and a new one not being immediately available, a piece of tinfoil wrapped around the blown fuse will serve temporarily. A bar of chocolate will furnish the tinfoil.

Some motor tourists deliberately under-lnflate their tyres when starting on a long drive, assuming that pressure will be increased by highway heat From every standpoint, the practice is wrong. Be sure on setting out that the tyres carry the full pressure recommended by the maker.

Owner-drivers who change the air tubes themselves do not always appreciate the necessity for care im properly distributing the French chalk which they put inside the tyre itself. The amount of friction arising between the inside surface of the outer cover and the outside surface of the air Lube is enormous, and the object of the French, ehdlk is to lubricate the two surfaces which thus come into contact. A round tin with small holes bored through the lid, like a pepper pot, is excellent for distributing the ■chalk, evenly.

The scheme for laying out an extensive park under Leicester Square, London, is being considered by the London County Council and the Westminster City Council. The idea is to take over the whole of the space under the square and to arrange the park In two tiers. The space, it is estimated, will accomodate more than 600 cars, which will be lowered and raised in lifts. The cost will be about £150,000, and if the plans are approved by the authorities building will start early next year and the park should be open within nine months.

Trouble has frequently been experienced in the past with copper pelrol pipes leading to the carburetter. The incessant vibration they were subjected to caused them to fracture or else caused the unions to leak, and witli age they “crystallised” and became more and more brittle. Some years ago a petrol-resisting rubber hose was introduced with success, and a length of this bridging a gap cut in the copper pipe provided a temporary solution to the trouble. Owing to vibration of the engine having been considerably increased with the introduction of flexible instead of rigid engine mounting, manufacturers realised that a permanent solution of the difficulty would have to be found, and after exhaustive experiments really satisfactory types of flexible metalbraided hose have been evolved.

Although motorists paid one shilling taxation on every gallon of benzine they used, only 2d of that amount was spent on the roads, said Mr F. Hill, secretary of the Wanganui Automobile Association, last week. The information, he said, had been given at the recent conference of the North Island Motor Union, held at Palmerston North. The remaining lOd was taken by llie Government for its own uses. It was also pointed out, said Mr Hill, Mini, llie, farmer using benzine for farm purposes was allowed a rebalo of 6d a gallon, as Ibis benzine was not used lo drive vehicles on roads. Why llie 0d was allowed farmers when only 2d in every gallon was spent on llie road had not been explained.

Alleged Irmible willi llie vacuum lank and Lhe l'uoi pump often lias nolliing to do willi llie nulls themselves.* A small leak in the pipe between tlie vacuum lank or (Me fuel pump and llie pelrol lank will cause plenty of trouble, and may lie traced by llie following method: Fill the main feed line willi pelrol, and after blocking one end apply a slight air pressure lo lhe oilier. Now Iraee lhe pipe hack mild llie leak is found. When replacing llie pipe, both unions must be properly lightened.