MOTORS AND MOTORING

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 281, 16 August 1918, Page 9

MOTORS AND MOTORING

(By "Clutch.")

The Test of War. conclusions reached iu tho great reliability trial of the automobile on tlio fields of battle (says an exchange) it would seem that the supremo test of motor-vehicle value is in tho daily delivery semee—the dependable readiness i» do everything and anything that a motor-car ought to do—easily, economically, and continuously, 011 good roads or bad, ill city or country, on level stretches or on forbidding mountain grades, whether :n tho sun-baked tropics or the icebound north. And, without reservation, it can bo said that the motor in its many forms is "making good." .Few people ou'sido thoso in tho motoring world have given serious thought to the portents of this great triumph, and when Jiinted at by the motorist he is not regarded seriously, 6imply because he is considered to be toq interested, too enthusiastic, and therefore biased, unconsciously or otherwise. But, if indifference and prejudice bo put aside, and tho matter thought out on its merits, and known results, it will bo seen that wo liave a inachino that has developed in one-fourth .of the time required by tho locomotive,'which it eclipses in speed [without having the boon of a special and | exclusivo roadway. That yet is to come.

I Alcohol Fuel. "Although this country produces about two-thirds of tho petroleum of the world and produced more petrol this year than ever before (says an American writer), investigations are being carried on by the . National Automobile Chamber of Comj raerco with a view to exploiting tho uso ' of mixtures of alcohol and petrol in motor vehicles. Tho production of inI dustrial alcohol on a large scale would j help materially to increase tho supply of 'motor fuel. • Nearly all the automobiles iu Norway and Sweden are operating on alcohol made from waste sulphito liquor from paper pulp mills. Al- J cohol is also used in automobiles in Spain, where She sale of petrol for use in passenger cars has been prohibited. Alcohol can be produced at tho paper pulp mills in this country at a cost of I fifteen to twenty cents a gallon at the ! present time, and if all tho paper mills suitable for the purpose were equipped with the necessary plants they would have a combined capacity -of 15,000,000 gallons a year. Waste from sugar mills' and waste. vegetable products provide other sources lor the production oi alcohol. Distilleries and breweries whoso business is' being curtailed by passage of Prohibition laws in 1 different States and by regulations of . the ]?ood Administration against use of grain for manufacture of intoxicants, have the apparatus and skilled labour requisite for tile production of industrial alcohol from tneso wastes. They should welcome an opportunity to contmue operation, utilising such products. . Alcohol can be blendea with petrol' to. produce a suitable fuel that wilL avoid the difficulties of starting a cold motor on alcohol alone, and ' without any ohange in the carburettor or the compression of the engine."

Hoods and. Upholstery. An American journal gives the 'following hints on caring for the hoo/1 and upholstery:—To kee.p jjace with the appearance of the body it is t<) give some attention to the haod and to the upholstery. A weekly 'Crashing of the hood inside and out wijfl add materially to 'its.: life- Fabric hooda . should never be cleaned with petrol, kerosene, or other oils, as they tend to destroy, the rubber in the IVjbric. Castile soap and water, applied -/cith a stitt brush, is the best cleaning r/'edium in such cases. Tho, upholstpry oi/»ht really to be cleaned once a .week/ This means not only wiping: tho of tho cushions, but cleaning out i'A<a dirt that inevitably accumulates. uny&er the piping and in the corners. Mfiit the wist lias been removed, leader upholstery may be cleaned, with a.,.cloth soaked in a weak solution of iimmrjjiia aud water. Castilo soap and watfl'r are also used on leathor, but petrol fj'aould not be employed, becauso it: tend/t to cause cracking. • The leathor shoul('< b» treated occasionally by giving it a /ight coating of linseed oil.thinned with; vinegar. This solution should be ap'/ded with a cloth and be allowed to regain for a few hours, after which tho i',pholstery should be wiped. I'or imitation leather, soap and water may be used / for removing spots, and linseed or sweet 1 oil in small quantities for brightening j: tho finish.

1 Here and There, It is curious that many owners fail to realise that thero are certain bolts and nuts on tlio car which it is absolute- ; ly. essential for ordinary safety to keep' < tight and immovable. A -well-made car , its provided nowadays with split pins or i spring washers oil all the more important | i parts, o.nd a box of pins and wasliera in i nsiarjed sizes eliould always ho in tha i shed. | Tju'co hundred thousand motor-cars I are said to bo engaged in carrying on S tb.e war. , , . Eighteen gallons Qf fuel yearly is the ! allotment now made to Italian .motorists. ' Tlio situation' is due 'to inability to im- ' port fuels fiom the United States. How small by comparison with output jis the export of cars from the United ' Stales is not often realised. In twelve months from July, I'Jlfl, the number exported. including commercial vehicles, i was only 81,793. In contrast to the endeavours of Brit- / isli manufacturers to produce a cheap vet efficient car, a new 150 h.p. del' car is said to be contemplated by ix California!! company, the chassis price : of which has been fixed at ,£IBOO. "• It is surprising how quickly bright ; parts rust. While active steps are usual- . ly .taken to prevent rust developing on ■ any'parts of the car, the tools are usually neglected because they are in frequent ; use. A good -plan is to keep a jar ot engine l oil and a brush on the bench. : When the. tools are being laid aside .tor an indefinite period, they can bo patnt- : ed" with oil. j Lighting-up time: To-day, 5.10 p.m., j neat. Friday, 5.16 p.m.