MOTORS & MOTORIGN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2871, 8 September 1916, Page 9

MOTORS & MOTORIGN

LBy Clotoh.]

Handling the New Car. In tho handling of a new car on tlio road it would bo hard to find two drivers who would adopt the same methods. This is due to tho varied experience the drivers have" had, and to_ their knowledge of the theory and principles of tlie car. Under suitable conditions, the engine 'will run for o long time without attention. Howover, a slight fault will often cause considerable trouble, the symptoms of rt'liich may not be plain enough to enable it to be located directly, and the nrhole systom must be gone over sometimes before it is located. It is, therefore, necessary to know just what is happening under the bonnet, and just when some things should happen, that-reasonable satisfaction may bo derived from the car. There is no car that can bo expected to be free from trouble, for even the best workmanship and material may give way sometimes. An experienced driver will find that he cannot get as much out of a car as the demonstrator for some littlo time, or till he is thoroughly accustomed to the car and knows how to handlo it, whether travelling up hill or on the level.

To handle a car intelligently, the driver should (1) be well acquainted with the carburettor 'and ignition system: (2) understand the management of the spark, throttle, and control levels under varying road conditions; (3) give proper attention to the lubrication. of the various parts, and (4) bo able to make repairs resulting from the ordinary mishaps likely to be encountered on the road. Tho above four divisions are something that every car operator should know, and they might be enlarged upon. Take tho carburettor tho least you have to do with this vital part, the better you are off. The ignition system should not cause you much trouble. Keep your plugs clean, and do over-oit.

Tlie lubrication of a new car is ono of the most important things to keep track of. You must study your oiling system, and see how it works; use plenty of good oil. Repairs are something yon cannot tell much about, and are something all machines need more or less of. Your storage battery, if one conies on your car, should_ bo taken caro of according to directions. Your tyres should be inflated to their proper measure.

Over-Lubrioation. Over-lubrication is a good fault, but nevertheless it is a fault, and not infrequently .can. occasion slight inconveniences. Too mucli oil in the engine is infinitely better than too little, but the driver should always aim at getting tho right amount. If the instructions provided by tho car makers aro observed this is not difficult. One result of over-lubrication ! is that tho cylinders become foul and want cleaning earlier than should bo the case, and' 1 this is a job that must bo placed in the hands of a capable mechanic, for it is not the work for tho average owner. One of the first signs of dirty cylinders is faulty ignition, perhaps only tlifeo of the four cylinders aro firing; a little test will show which is the. imperfcct one, and the removal of tho plug will probably demonstrate that this is badly sooted up and giving no spark. A spare plug should be carried and put in- its place, the old one boing taken home and. carefully cleaned ready for emergencies. French Imports. After au experience of less than two months, France lias abandoned the total prohibition of motor imports, and has imposed a duty of 70 per cent, on the value of all motor vehicles up to 2| tons in weight. Such a duty is practically equivalent to the continuance of prohibition, arfd, so long as it is applied, will serve to keep all touring, cars off the French market. The feature of tho new law is that vehicles weighing more than tons will be admitted at the old rates, which aro equivalent to about 10 per cent, of the value. This will satisfy those manufacturers jvho aro in need of motorlorrics either in connection with private business or for the execution of Government contracts, and are unable to get these lorries from the French motor factories. While the free entry of touring cars into France might have been considered a danger for tho homo manufacturers, the introduction of lorries during the war period will not cause thorn uneasiness. French-mado lorries compare favourably in price with thoso of American construction, while the Army subsidy scheme, which only applies to French vehicles, will always give the home manufacturer an advantage over a foreign rival. • . Hare and There. Tourists driving in mountain districts may find that at the higher altitudes tho motor bcconies hot quickly, and in many cases' the water may boil. This is due to the fact that the boiling point of water is lowered as the- distance from sea level increases. It is a good plan to U6e a condenser of some sort in the form of a small coil of pipe. This coil easily may be mounted on tho radiator filler cap after tho latter has been properly drilled. A radiator meter also is a good attachment to instal, since it indicates to the driver when the motor is unduly hot. Beforo starting on a trip which will take the tourist through m'ountainous country, it is suggested that tho water system of the car bo checked over thoroughly. The tubing to and from the radiator shquld be examined, for quite often tho rubber disintegrates 011 the inside, causing tho passage to become obstructed.

Statistics issued in Washington show that for tho eleven months ending "May, 1916, 19,849 commercial vehicles were exported, valued at.£10,642,400; 51,320 passeuger cars, valued at £7,608,000; parts, not including engines and tiros, £4,129,0-18. The bulk of these supplies wont to Europe. Leading motor body builders give the following advice to motorists concerning the washing of their cars The vehicle should ■ be washed with cold water—never hot nor lukewarm—and soap should not be used. Cheap soap is the greatest enemy of varnish. "Occasionally a car is brought back to us," said the manager of one firm, "after being in use for only six weeks, with the pamt chipped, cracked, and peeling in many places. Of course the owner feels we are responsible, but in neqrly every case it has been proved that the trouble •was duo to tho chcap and impure soap used at the garage in washing the car." A hose is very useful in applying the water; but caro should be taken to see that the force of the stream is not too groat. A nozzle should be used on the hose, to give a spray. Tho car should be dried with a chamois leather. A necessary provision is to have two sets of cloths for tho car —orio sponge and chamois for the body, and a second sponge and chamois for the chassis. This is most important, as tho cloths for tho chassis become exceedingly gritty. The process should be finished by using . a good polishing oil or wax. Lighting-up time: To-day, 5.3S p.m.; next Friday, C.45 p.m.