MOTORS&MOTORING

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3058, 20 April 1917, Page 5

MOTORS&MOTORING

IB? Clutch.] Standardisation Dosirable. Standardisation' in motor-manufao-turo is, to some extent, at least, dosirable. In the past, and during the evolution' of the utility vehiclo from its crude state of, say, a decade ago, ' wheii the commercial car trials of 190? showed how much was wanting, it has happened, and properly so, that various manufacturers havo striven to find the saino result —viz., the practical utility vehicle, but to a considerable extent along different lines. The best has survived, but many havo fallen in the fight or been discarded as experience has shown a better and a cheaper way of arriving •at the deßired end. The result is that in design, as well as in construction, we have arrived at reliable vehicles produced along certain definite- although parallel lines. And so we are como to the great question of standards of design, material, and factory methods. In Great Britain the general practice has been for each manufacturing'concern to work on its own-lines without much roference to the practice of other firms in the industry, and iwe have consequently a great deal of- variety in niany directions, thougli the actual amount of difference is in many caßes so small as. to entitle the user to inquire if these divergencies, may not be parti) duo to the individuality of the designer, perhaps more idiosyncrasies. 'Whatever, the reason, we find fractious of a millimetre added here or taken off there, with the result that many items which could be produced in very large quantities, and so at a lower cost, if they were but standardised, are now produced in the very much smaller lots required yet by each manufaoturer, although the total output is approximately the same. Fear has been oxpressed that standardisation would eventually mean stagnation, yet, • at 'the same time, some progress'. has. been .made in 'that direotion, chiefly, however, amongst the smaller items; but -the general tendency has so far seemed to consider this as an acadomia that did not matter much practically,' and one that might almost be left to solve itself. Here and There. ■'.'•■' "Novice'.':'. It is hardly possible to give in briof compass the information you require. If possible, get a motorist'friend to look over and test tho car before-you take possession. Of course; you will hoed direct practical instruction- both in driving and in care and maintenance, but the simple standardised car' you mention presents no formidable difficulties. If the' tires suppliod with the car are of low grade it may pay to make the extra outlay involved in exchanging them for a set of better quality. You will be wise to buy ono of the useful little motoring manuals which aro produced for. tho benefit of the owner driver. Any ono of a number will post you on'all essential points, and giy.o many useful hints on the care of the car arid economical running.'

It is learned from "fho Electrician" that one result of the war in Germany has been the greatly extended use of aluminum for many purposes. Its use is one of the outstanding features of captured German motor construction. It is used for crank cases, gear boxes and oven cylinder heads, jackets and shafts. The Germans aro said to be : able to produce aluminum very cheaply, .'largely ;owing to the mining of coal in occupied French territory by forced labour.- The cheap production of electricity has also stimulated tho development of electrio motor vohicles,. which aro now being run with -nickel-iron' batteries, owing 'to tho shortago of lead. The'self-service idea that has proved so popular in tho United States restaurants has now 'been applied in that country to tho automobile garage. It is now possible for the car owner in Seattle to take- his automobile to one of the separato compartments provided in the, building, procure tools at tho offico ai;d do his own repairing in much tho same manner as.ho'might enter a restaurant, help himself to a meal and bo charged for what ho ate. After the repairs aro completed, the tools are returned to the offico and tho owner is charged for-, tho length of timo ho has occupied tho room and the tools used. These private'repair spaces can bo locked, so that o.llo'can leave his work with perfect safety, return later to iinish it at his leisure." If a helper is .desired,' one can .'• be procured' at a 'specified regular rate. ■'. To renovate rusty rims, first clean, them 'well with-'-'a wire-scratch brush. After this emery cloth should be used with a little paraffin to got the surfaco as smooth as possible. No trace of grease should _bo allowed to remain. A slow-drying enamel or paint must be used, and about tliree coats given. A quick-drying enamel is unsatisfactory, as it soon flakes off. All rust must bo thoroughly cleaned from the covers and tubes, as it is very detructive.; . Well blackleading the rims is an alternative method- to painting, but ifc ; requires doing at: shorter intervals. Lighting-up time: To-day, 5.14 p.m. Next Friday; 5.4 p.m.