MOTORS & MOTORING

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3087, 18 May 1917, Page 9

MOTORS & MOTORING

IBs CiiDTcn.] An Alternative to "Swinging." t "Many owners/' says an English writer, "dislike 'swinging' an engine (tho term used to tlcscribo whirling the start-iiig-liaulllo in a series o{ full circles), partly from fear of backfires, partly from dread of barking their knuckles on the Many sharp corners which bristle between the close-set lamps of a 10-li.p. chassis. At tho same time, engines cannot invariably bo trusted to respond to a single pull up from seven o'clock to twelve o'clock. Jlay I recommend. an alternative, which to some extent combines tho merits of both systems? The handlo may be engaged with its claw at about four o'clock, and twirled rapidly round to twelvo o'clock. This practically •eliminates fear of backfires. I use with it full advanced ignition on a rating engine, and never get one, while tho handle -lias gathered speed before it reaches tho cylinder, which is on its firing stroke somewhere near seven o'clock, so there is a, fine chance of a responsive explosion. Ail that; is necessary for safety is a. quick twist." Under-lnflation, Amongst Lther signs shown in a. tire cover which has been run under-inflated, the most marked aro discolouration of tho canvas on tho inside of tho casing, accompanied by a rough appearance, tho surface becoming rough with a kind of flock caused by tho yarn fraying. In bad eases a suro sign is found on tho outside of tho walls of the casing just above the rim, wear or chafing becoming apparent. Very often uiriler-infla-tion results iu the under edges of tho tiro cover working away from the bottom of the rim j the spaco so made becomes occupied by a portion of the inner tube, which soon gets nipped, and <i burst sooner or later occurs. Regarding the matter of under-inflation, there aro certain signs, visiblo to tho eyo, to bo found in any cover that has been, maltreated in this way. The first is that inspection of the interior of i the cover will show certain black or dark patchcs, generally in that part of the canvas adjacent to the extreme sides of the tread. i -1 b® understood easily that an un-der-inflated tiro will spread out flatter oil to the road, i.e., a wider portion of the tread will touch the road surface. Tins means that tho outer cover will be bent far out of shape, with tho result that the tread may part company with the. casing, or tho layers of canvas may separate. Parallelism. If the tread of a tire shows all round a rough, rubbed, or feathery appearance, it is well worth while to make a. test at onco of the parallelism of the wheels. The tires on the front wheels which turn mward at tho front or at tho back, owing to wear in the steering,. etc., nearly always show this sign. It is due, of course, to tho tire dragging slightly instead of rolling. ■ Here and There. The Connecticut Legislature is consid- -> ering a Jiill which provides that an applicant for a motor vehicle license must lile with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles an insurance policy to the amount of <£200U, protecting tho applicant I in the case of personal injury or in lieu of tho policy, a bond, cither of which is to be kept by the Commissioner, says tho "Power Wagon." • Should -the bond or policy lapse, then tho license is automatically cancelled until renewed. How few motorists protect their hands with gloves when car cleaning in winter! Tho expert will sniff at the idea, .uid he will show that adjustments cannot bo satisfactorily made with gloved hands. At first there is undoubted awkwardness, but with a. little use one finds that much can bo done with the gloved hands in car cleaning. Perhaps tho best plan is first. to cover the hands with a pair of surgical or household rubber gloves, and then fit on old leather gloves over them. For all intricate work use only the rubber gloves, but in washing down the car, or removing mud, employ the double glove system. Very soon one will appreciate the luxury of clean and'dry hands in 'the wintry garage. Many motorists are content to drive ■their cars ahead day after day, but do not realise the necessity of learning to back properly. Then when must back suddenly they hit something. Practise backing until it is as easy to you as driving forward. Some day vou will have reason to be thankful for this. When about to coast down a long, steep hill, especially with a heavy car ■ (an American expert remarks), it* is well to put the gears in low speed, even though you do not intend to use :the engine on a brake. It will give an added sense ; of security, for if anything should happen to the brakes, you havo your motor ■ to' fall lack on, and you will not have to take chances in not being able to mesh the gears. An automobile door which slides out of sight into the hollow of the car has been invented, the idea being to promote safety by avoiding accidental opening of the door whilo the machine is in motion. • Linseed oil is useful for removing tar stains. Jt should be rubbed lightly on the. affected ,parts and left to soakin until the tnr is soft. 'Ijhmi rub loth tar and oil with a soft rag till all traces are removed. Carbon deposit may bo. formed by: Leaky piston rings; too much oil in engine; inferior oil, or an oil with too low a flash-point; driving down-liill with' throttle closed and air port not opened, causing oil to be drawn past the piston; carburation too rich; using petrol or benzole of inferior grade. Lighting-up time:' To-day, 1.10 p.m. . Next Friday, 4.3J p.m. j To Motorists—Save one-fourth Benzine by using Speedier Vaporiser on your engine. Car size, 255.; Cycle size, 15s. Thirty days' trial. Cash refunded if not satisfied. E. Miller, Main Street, Greytown North.—Advt.