MOTORS AND MOTORING

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3153, 3 August 1917, Page 9

MOTORS AND MOTORING

(By "Clutch.")

TyrS Inflation. "Sevsnty-fiveper cent of pneumatic i-pe trouble," says an American authority, "arises from undor-inilation. It is worth while to remember that the tyre is only the container for holding tho. air which is the real cushion protecting tho car from the shocks of the road, as well as being the cheapest filler, tho best wo can have, and suffioient, if proporly used. Tho question of proper inflation is one that deserves more attention than it receives, as a properly inflated tyre will not only carry the load better, but al6o offers more resistance to objects largo or small that may be lyng in tho road. A fully-inflated tiro will often escapo without injury becauso of its hardness, while a soft tyre flattens out to such ail extent that it is almost impossible to upass over any object or rut without .cutting tho tyre. In some instances, if the objects have a flat Burfiice, they break the fabric inside, and in many cases do not even leave a mark on the oupide. Llus is on account of tho rubber being resilient and the fabric being stretched to such an extent in order to prevent separation, so that it will not resist tho blow like tho rubber.

Here and There. AVhen dry- cells are used ■ for star ting purposes, extreme, caro. should. be pxorcised to keep litem in a dry place. Even though the cells:may lie new, -any dampness will cause them to bhort circuit, and when this takes place then you havo hard work starting the engino on the magneto. ; That the Unted States Government is : preparing to use motor-cycle# in Army service on a gigantic scalo is indicated by tho fact that tenders" wire recently invited for from 1 to 10,000 -l 1 '.otor-cycles, ■ 5000 of which are (o bo equipped with sido-cars. Tho purchase of these maohines involves tho training of men to-operate them, which will bocomo a part of tho duties of tho motor transport committee of the' Council of • National Defence. . v

It is proposed to form in America- an air squadron, consisting, entirely of drivers and mechanics who • ha've figured in recent American motor races. ' The proposed -squadron will havo twelve aoro-. pianos;-. with 113 men- ,I'he list'of-names' of those who will constitute this valuablo forco may not immediately bo made pubv lie, but it certainly will noludo men. of a type, particularly suitable for., the n'atuvo of tho business in hand. ' ~ ...

Sparking-plug porcelains crack 'from. a. variety: of, cause?. _A.',,eHance;Wow; from a wrench - while tightenng, ■pulling too hard on. the. ignition, wire,'dropping* tlie ping, or a dofect in.iiahufacturo oro frequent .crises. .But tho usualis froni. screwing 'tlieni too hard into the cylinder. As tho plug heata up -awl expands it cracks the porcelain. ( British' mo'tor papers compliment tho Commonwealth of Australia in forming an advisory council of science and industry, and its' action in'investigating tho quostoa.af .alcohol as, a motor'fuel. '.Hicy say that:-Australia'has good -leasohs for making : '!i move, anil' that '-farmers require cheap'power. -Thero'is an' Alcohol Motor Fuel Cojiimittco established in England, 'which, during tho war'has received scant attention froni the Government." ■ -Tho motor journals, ■ however, suggest lliat'. the' Australian, .corincil and any similar Organisation tackling tho problem, in . other parts oV tho Empii.o should recofnise tho British . Committee as a centre- around'which'.they, should group'themselves, ■ v.: • , ; Rust will 'disappear from steel - if -itis soaked .in sweet oil for a day, and then ruUbed with fresh lime.

Your dealer' will -show you how to roll the air out of a tubo-and-fold it proporly, but if it is left too long in a folded condition, it will crack. So.'open it 1 occasionally-and ' fold another way. If this is. not done, tho tubo. will become almost useless.. Lightifig-up time: To-day, -(.57 p.m. Nextjpi'riday, 5.3 p.m.