Motor and Cycle

Otago Witness, Issue 4030, 9 June 1931, Page 62

Motor and Cycle

<B Z

DEMON.

Briefly and ingenuosly a motorist described in the Wellington Magistrate’s Court what happened when he found it difficult to see, and went at snail’s pace on to the grass at the side of the road. “ I felt a slight bump,” he said, “ and when I got out I found very unexpectedly that there was a lady under the car! ” “ She had gone on to the grass for safety! ” remarked Sub-inspector Lopdell dryly.

A small shipment of Russian petrol arrived at Wellington recently. The new fuel (says our special correspondent) has been tried out on motor vehicles in the city. The introduction of Soviet petYol into England a few years ago caused a stir in the automotive industry, and one London newspaper fostered a boycott and issued posters to all service station proprietors, who agreed not to handle the fuel. Later, an agreement was reached between the organisations chiefly concerned in the competition. A Wellington timporter, who was identified with the importation of a sample shipment of several hundred gallons of Russian petrol, stated last week that he could not confirm the rumour that large supplies were now on the water. It is understood that several Wellington garages have shared in the trial shipment, and one of the largest petrol service stations in Auckland is believed to be interested in introducing Soviet fuel into New Zealand. DAZZLING LIGHTS, Motorists are often puzzled when driving after dark by many light and shadows, unless they know how to interpret their meaning at a glance. This, however, is largely a matter of practice, and the best advice that can be given to the novice is to drive cautiously and not to worry over the fact that other cars may be travelling faster. When dazzling headlights are met, the best plan is never to look at them, but to direct the eyes to the near side of the road. If this is done, only the very brightest of headlights will cause any real inconvenience. When a driver is really dazzled he should slow up, even stop altogether if necessary; on no acount should he “ chance it ” for cyclists’ reflectors are often of doubtful efficiency, whilst pedestrians, of course, are entirely unlighted. Needless to say, well adjusted lamps on all automobiles are essential, and the best way of achieving this end is to take the car out on a quiet straight road that has no street lamps. Adjust the bulbs one at a time so that each gives a fairly long, but not too narrow beam without any black patches in the centre. The lamps themselves can then be adjusted for-angle, the object being to light up the road immediately in front of the car and at the same time to illuminate the road ahead.

IMPROVED ENGINE STARTING. One advantage the widespread adoption of battery and coil ignition has brought is easier and more certain starting of cold Engines at this tims of the year. Before electric ’self-starters were brought to their present standard of efficiency, and earlier than that, when big four-cylinder motors were started by hand, it was by ' no means easy to urge the crankshaft round at a sufficient speed to ensure ignition by magneto. Even a few years ago no magneto could be expected to give a sufficiently strong spark to fire the ■ mixture until it had attained a speed of at least 40 revolutions a minute, and therefore, as a writer in Autocar points ■ out, it was necessary to allow a few seconds to elapse between the time when ■ the starter button was pressed and the instant when the engine fired. Nowadays the battery produces a spark of full intensity immediately the ignition is switched on; of course, it fails to do what the magneto does and automatically increases its voltage as the speed of the engine rises, but that,phase of the matter is not of so much concern when ordinary touring speeds are considered. A more important matter for consideration is the relation of ignition timing to efficient starting from cold. If 30 degrees is the • correct ignition advance for 3000 revolutions a minute, then it follows that three degrees will be correct for 300 revolutions, and that even one degree is really too much when the engine is stationary. Therefore, if we start an engine with the lever at “ half advance.” the charge is being fired too early. With the engines of a few years ago, the magneto being dilatory in providing an efficient spark compensated for this excessive advance until the engine had attained a fair speed. But with battery ignition, that compensation has been eliminated, and it becomes necessary to revise methods of engine starting. The writer quoted advocates that when starting from cold, the ignition shoud be fully retarded, the strangler pulled out, and the starter button pressed. After about three seconds running, switch on the ignition, open the strangler, and the engine, he finds, will invariably respond. Retarding the spark, he points out, eliminates risk of a back-fire with a consequently bent starter and motor armature shaft. It alsfc assures that the pressure rise in the cylinder will not take place until the piston is on the down stroke. Lubricating oil is circulating before the engine fires, and the oil film has been carried the whole length of the cylinders; a full charge of gas will have been inhaled into the cylinders by the few seconds’ running before the ignition is switched on. while the crankshaft will ► be revolving at such a speed as to .. eliminate rhe danger of a back-fire. The gas in tbv induction pipe will also have

attained such a speed as to make starting certain, and to assure that the engine will fire regularly and not stop again immediately after it has started.

PERMANENT JACKING SYSTEM. So completely equipped are new cars nowadays that it is difficult to think of any new accessory that can be usefully standardised. There is one, however, which many makers may adopt before long, and that is a permanent jacking system. Motorists who have had experience of permanent jacking systems are invariably loud in their praise of the handiness of such jacks. This desirable system—whereby the jacks are permanently attached to the car in their correct position for raising the axles and wheels —is undoubtedly making headway, and it will eventually, no doubt, be available at such low prices that manufacturers of the most popular-priced cars will adopt it as a standard fitting. Under the present system many little jobs, such as wheel changing to even up the wear of tyres, are no doubt postponed because of the handicaps of a small jack which usually has to be operated separately for each wheel.

CONDITIONS IN ENGLAND.

These interesting facts came by the last mail from the Automobile Association: — Weather conditions in many parts of the country were disappointing for holi-day-makers during the Easter holiday period. The Automobile Association road patrols assisted 238,787 members.

Over 1437 members obtained running supplies, such as petrol, oil, water, etc.', and mechanical ■ assistance was rendered to nearly 4000 members whose cars ami motor cycles suffered minor breakdowns, etc.

The patrols answered over 232,844 roadside inquiries covering road and general touring information. The Automobile Association Touring Department issued over 28 per cent, more holiday routes than were called for last Easter, and in addition the Twenty-four Hour Emergency Service (maintained at the London Automobile Association headquarters) dealt with a greatly increased number of applications for interesting short tours and day drives. Many of these emergency requests were made by members who, owing to the prevalent bad weatlier, cancelled ararngements for longer tours. CASUALTIES OF LONDON. During the months of October, November, and December 377 persons lost their lives in street accidents in the London Metropolitan Police area, and 13,323 suffered personal injury. The death-roll for the twelve months established a new’ record, 1398 persons having been killed, an increase of 36 on the total for 1929, the year with the highest previous death-roll. How the dangers of London streets have increased during the past decade is shown below’:—

During the last quarter of 1930 there were 30,286 accidents involving personal injury or damage to property. . Analysis shows that of 377 persons killed seven were under five years of age and 55 others were under 15. Pedestrians “crossing without dim care ” take the customarq n’ace at the head of the classification list, with a total of 108. This was 30 fewer than die figures for the corresponding quarter

of 1929. On the other hand, many more pedestrians are shown to have lost their liyes as a consequence of having hesitated or faltered —55 as compared with 26 a year ago.

THE BLUE BIRD.

It is possible that Sir Malcolm Campbell will again attempt.to lower the world’s land speed record,, this time ou the Ninety-Mile’ Beach. While the body and chassis of the Blue Bird car, with which the record of 216 miles an hour was made at Daytona, has been on show at the British Exhibition in Buenos Aires, the secret Napier-Lion rac ing engine, has been thoroughly overhauled by the makers in England in preparation for the next attempt. Immediately the Blue Bird returns from South America it is going to the shed at Brooklands where it was built, and certain important alterations will be mad. to the streamlining and body design. The engine will then be reinstalled. This work will probably take the whole summer and most of the autumn to complete. The ear will then be sent out to Australia and New Zealand, where it will be on view at all the principal cities. Sir Malcolm’s precise plans for his next record attempt have not been finally com pleted (says London Star) for they depend to some extent upon the result of the attempt on the record which is to be made by “ Wizard ”• Smith on the sands of Ninety-Mile Beach. It is understood that if Smith beats the record, or even closely approaches it, while the Blue Bird is in that part of the world. Sir Malcolm -will make his bid in New Zealand. This would probably be some time early next year.

“ The exact alterations that will be made to the car are. of course, being kept a secret.” Mr R. Railton, the designer of the Blue Bird, said in an interview. Under ideal conditions she is at present what might be called a 260-mile-an-hour car. Sir Malcolm hopes to make her into a 290-mile-an-hour car under ideal conditions. His experiences at Daytona have shown that certain alterations can be safely made, and between us we hope to work them out, first on paper, then ou the bench, and incorporate them in the car. This work will -take some considerable time.”

I shall most certainly try and be«t the record as soon as the Blue Bird has been redesigned and put into lacing trim,” Sir Malcolm said. “I have not made up my mind yet whether it will be ir New Zealand or America, but wherever it is I have hopes that the Blue Bird is going to be a very much faster car.” In spite of the risks which her husband runs every time he makes an attempt on the record. Lady Campbell is taking these new plans very calmly. “He wants to do it, so I do not dream of trying to prevent him,” she said. HINTS TO THE DRIVER. When a piston slap is heard the motorist should not regard it simply as an annoying noise. If the sound really is loud it is an indication of cylinder wall wear which should be corrected without delay by adequate repair. Another harmful result of piston slap is the dilution of crami case oil by gasoline permitted to seep down the cylinder wall on the worn side.

Tyre experts advise that tyres be changed from wheel to wheel at times. Motorists seldom do it. because the time rarely seems right. One “right” time however, is when buying a new tyre. Put it on a different wheel and shif at leas' one of the other tyres. It is generally advisable to inflate the front tyres to a pressure lower by three to five pounds than the rear tyres. They usually carry rather less weight, and the deflection on rough roads and the consequent cushioning properties are thus rendered approximately equal. In some case-: however, when steering is habitually stiff or otherwise defective, it may be worth trying the effect of equal, or even higher, pressures in the front tyres. Never pour ice-cold water into a hot radiator. The sudden addition of ice water m’ay affect the delicate tubes of the radiator, or a cracked motor block mav result from the too sudden contraction of the warm metal. When the reservoir in the radiator steams or boils, the water for replenishing the supply should be

drawn from an indoor tap, or it should be warmed to take off the chill. When the differential gears begin to growl the story of their, maladjustment or lack of lubricant, the car owner should not be indifferent. Wear means that these gears do not mesh properly, and- in such’ a case breakage is likely. Lack of water, water circulation retarded, defective water pump, loose fau belt, incorrect mixture in carburettor, little or cheap quality of oil, dragging brakes, excessive carbon deposits and retarded spark will increase the operating temperature of an engine.

INTERNATIONAL TOURS POPULAR. The prospect of motoring overland through India, the Holy Land. Egypt, and Europe en route to England is proving a strong attraction to many motorists tb-day. judging from the number of motor cars bearing foreign automobile badges passing through the main cities. With the natural desire to extend their travels to “ fresh fields and pastures new,” an overland journey by car through other lands offers opportunities to motorists for sightseeing which are scarcely possible by any other means. The cost, too, is in no way disproportionate to the more established methods of travel abroad, and in favourable circumstances is relatively less. An itinerary can be conveniently followed which permits of car travel through the different countries traversed at the season of the year when climatic conditions for motoring are usually favourable.

The Australian continent, Java. Malaya, India. Iraq. Syria, Palestine. Egypt. Europe. British Isles. Canada, United States, and New Zealand can all be included in this way. Shell motor spirit and oil supplies are available without prior arrangement on all the principal trans-world routes, and. for an average type of touring car carrying two passengers and essential equipment, the cost per capita for petrol and oil for a complete round-the-world tour would not exceed £lOO. General information on climatic conditions, with special reference to monsoonal rains, and details of international customs regulations are obtainable from the Shell Company, which company in Australia is making arrangements for the first party of Australians to undertake a tour to Europe towards the end of the year. Two other parties of motorists are on their way at the present time, and finding this method of travel extreme'y interesting as bringing them into direct touch with the rural population of the countries through which they are travelling. PUNCTURES. The comparative freedom from punctures of some modern tyres and the almost universal practice of carrying a spare wheel have combined to make it seldom necessary to repair tyres by the roadside. savs an article in the Goodyear News. In consequence many new owners never mend a puncture—they merely fit the snare wheel and leave the renair work in the hands of the garage. Sooner or later, however, two tyres will give trouble within a few miles of one another, leaving no other course open to the owner but to mend one of them. For this reason it is advisable for every motorist to carry a puncture repair outfit. it is not proposed to dial with the whole subject of tyre repairs, but there are one or two mistakes frequently made by the novice which need emphasis. The most common error lies in applying a natch to the tube immediately after it has been coated with rubber solution. If this is done, it will be found difficult to make the patch stick, as it will tend to curl up at the edges. The patch and tube should be liberally smeared with solution and five to ten minutes allowed to elapse before applying the patch. Another point concerns the use of French chalk, which should always be sprinkled liberally over the tube. It not only prevents the tube from sticking to the cover, but also acts as a lubricant and tends to stop chafing. French chalk shouhl never be used until the patch has stuck satisfactorily, for there is a danger of it finding its way under the patch and making it necessary for the whole job to be done again. RULES OF THE ROAD. . It is surprising that it is necessary after all these years of motor transport experience to draw the attention of motorists to the elementary rules of the road, but it is so (states the latest message from the Canterbury Automobile Association). Thousands of motorists are careless enough to hug the crown of the road, or if they do not actually travel on the crown of the road they get as far away from the extreme left-hand side as possible. It is selfish or thoughtless to do either, particularly if one is driving slowly. Following traffic, travelling faster, may -wish to "ass. and if the car in front is on or near the crown of the road danger is created for the overtaking car. Strangely enough, the drivers who monopolise the roadways are those who never make use of their rear view mirrors if they have them as nart of the car equipment. The Motor Vehicles Act demands the use of such mirrors. If the thoughtless drivers consulted therear view mirrors habitually they would correct the habit of obstructing traffic by driving in the middle of the road. It is imperative that all traffic should keep as near to the left-hand side of the roadway as possible, and that applies to all classes of traffic, particularly slowmoving vehicles, and big motor vans or trucks. The action of many drivers of heavy vehicles in using more road space than is necessary savours of autocratic behaviour, and in the interests of traffic safety there is no place for such behaviour in the code of the motorist. The only’ way that complete road safetycan be made certain is for the motorist to take every care twards what lies before him and show every consideration for the traffic following immediately behind him. Motoring would be infinitely safer and more pleasant if sweet reasonableness and tolerance were practised at all times. ANIMAL AND BIRD LIFE. The number of people killed by being struck dowh by motor cars on tlie highways is annalliiv. Gays a writer in the Motor). The mortality rn + e of mo<o"ii>g in An->»ri<-n < <-v. i,.- r than that of tire so'd'e ■ ’n fi-st-lin?

trenches during the world war. If 45,000 people were to be killed in a single accident it would be a catastrophe of firstpage importance to the press of the entire world. Yet, when that number is killed annually upon the instalment plan in America, the figures are shocking, but no one gets the least bit excited about it. Considering this loss of human life, it seems like a descent to the trivial to consider the loss of animal and bird life that may be charged to the motor ear- in America.

Improved highways and improved motor cars during the past two years have resulted in a speeding up of traffic. Birds, animals, insects, and domestic live stock have been added wholesale to the human victims of motoring. We return from any motor trip to find the radiator and windscreen clouded with everything that is mortal among insects. Such casualties, of course, mean nothing. There are plenty more insects, and most of them are pests to the human race or crops of mankind. But the.same motorist, no matter where he goes, will observe numerous carcasses of small animals and birds on the highways. These are chipmunks, rabbits, squirrels, coyotes, domestic cats and dogs, snakes, turtles, and birds ranging from chickadees and sparrows up to large hawks and owls. Few small birds can fly faster than 25 miles an hour. The slow speed of a turtle, and the length of a snake make for hazardous progress across a much-travelled highway. Rabbits have a habit of racing down a highway in front of an oncoming motor car. In horse and buggy days they ran such races and won. Nowadays they invariably lose against the speed of the modern motor car. Apparently no creature of Nature has yet had time to develop the necessary instinct to keep out of harm’s way on motoring highways. In a motor trip across America from , . e l v A or k to Los Angeles a Federal biologist counted 106 native wild birds that had apparently been killed along that stretch of highway. From this he estimates that 38.690 birds are killed annually by motor cars along that route. In the United States there are 3,016.281 miles ot major motor highways. Over this system more than 25.000,000 motor cars are constantly moving at speeds seldom slower than 30 miles an hour. Using this as a basis for figures one would hesitate to compute the loss of wild bird, wild animal, and domestic animal life that may fairly charged to the motor car. There are motorists who swerve their cars to avoid striking any' small animal on the road. There is a hazard to safety in driving when one strikes birds or animals intentionally or accidentally, there are records of fatal accidents having been caused by a partridge smashing a windscreen. There are records of many other accidents, fatal and otherwise, from tyres being punctured by the splintered bones of a dog, cat, or fowl. I he wholesale destruction of economically’ valuable bird and animal life is quite another matter that has grown up upon the increased speed of motor cars in recent years.

SEQUEL TO MOTOR FATALITY. PATEA, June 3. After a hearing which occupied the whole day, and during which 17 witnesses were called, Norman Tinney, a married man, resident in Patea. was committed by justices of the peace in the Patea Court yesterday to the Supreme Court for trial on a charge of manslaughter in that he caused the death of Stuart Carlyle Humphrey’, a farm hand, through negligent driving of a motor car. Bail was fixed at £2OOO. The accused pleaded not guilty. The coroner’s verdict at the inquest (held in conjunction with the police case) was that Humphrey died at about 11.30 p_.ni. on May’ 16 from shock and lacerations of the brain, as the result of a collision between a Nash car and deceased's cycle.

MOTOR CYCLING.

TOURIST TROPHY RACE. AUCKLAND, June 3. The first New Zealand Tourist, Trophy Race for motor cycles was held at Waiheke Island to-day under ideal' weather conditions. The course tried the competitors severely. The total distance covered was 135 miles, the winner's time being 2hr 45min 12sec. The fastest, time of the day was secured by L. Coulthard, who covered a lap of 6.’ miles in 7miu 42sec. Results:— S. Moses (Rudge) 1 L. Sowerby (Douglas) .. .. 2 F. Lindsay (Rudge) 3 A. Way (Velocette) .. .. 4 L. Coulthard (Velocette) .. 5 B. Smith (Rex Acme) .... 6 There were IS starters, most of whom crashed at one stage or another but nobody was injured. MOTORIST SENT TO PRISON. FAILURE TO STOP AFTER ACCIDENT. CHRISTCHURCH, June 5. A month's imprisonment and fines totalling £2O were imposed on Herbert Dymond, a tomato grower, by tlie magistrate (Mr E. D. Mosley) to-day for negligent driving, failure to stop after an accident, and failure to report. “ This is one of the worst cases to came before me,” said the magistrate, “and there is only- one thing to do—send him to gaol.” ■ The defendant knocked over a motor cyclist and the cyclist’s sister, badly’ injuring them. .

Year. Killed. Year. Killed, 1921 .. . 571 ., . 1926 ,. .. 1003 1922 .. .. 655 .. • 1927 .. .. 1056 1923 .. .. 668 ., . 1928 .. .. 1237 1924 .. .. 884 . . 1929 .. .. 1362 1925 .. .. 840 .. . 1930 .. . . 1398