GARAGE GOSSIP

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 290, 28 February 1928, Page 6

GARAGE GOSSIP

I Considerable progress is being made j j with the alteration to the new premises ; I for the A.A.A. They should be ready : for occupation very shortly. Making good time is a matter of driving consistently at a reasonable | speed. The rate should be neither so j fast as to be dangerous, nor so slow ■ as to kill the pleasure of motoring. | j An arm protruding from a car ahead ! ’ may mean that the driver is: (1) Knocking ashes off a cigarette, (2) ■ turning to the right, (3) turning to the left, (4) going straight on, (5) about to reverse. * * * | “What is this for?” asked the ladv : learning to drive, placing her foot on I the starter pedal. As the engine was ; running the starter jammed, and she | learned one more lesson by experi- ; ence. “America did not build roads because of her wealth, but to a large extent she is wealthy because she built roads,” declares Mr. John N. Willys, a prominent motoring authority. “United estates highways are considered an investment, i not an expense, and result in increased property values, production, and employment, and lowered transport costs warrant the issung of bonds for construction of an adequate highway sys- ! tern.” Not all motorists are as selfish as they are commonly painted, for on Sunday night at 10.30 a resident of Glen Eden who was in urgent need of medical attention, hailed the first car that came along—a luxurious private sedan —and was very readily and quickly conveyed to the nearest doctor. In districts where the early closing of telephone excha.nges renders doctors inaccessible at unusual hours, such a courtesy is immensely appreciated. In this case “Headlight” would like to pass on a small token from the thankful passenger, but unfortunately the Good Samaritan is not known. * * * “Hit ’em hard,” must be the motto of Major J. S. Green, chief engineer of the

National Automobile Club, who re- : cently published this straight talk to motorists. Failure to yield the right of way is the cause of a great many accidents, i particularly on city streets. Were all drivers to conduct themselves as ladies ancl gentlemen, it would be unnecessary to prescribe rules governing the right of way; the rules of good breeding would cover all cases. But, unfortunately, the automobile has made of most drivers a class of ; selfish, grasping individuals who are ; prone to take advantage of the other fellow at every opportunity. f mean that this Is their attitude while driving. Take them out of their cars and they may be most polite and considerate of the rights of others. Studebaker is about to introduce a straight eight which will be known as the President. * * * Oil and Brakes The use of a lubricant is not advised to take the squeak out of brakes. Sometimes dry powdered graphite, which will not collect dirt, is applied, but even this is only a makeshift. Application of an oily or greasy lubricant is dangerous. It often leads to violent seizing of the brakes, causing uncomfortable driving and perhaps serious damage to the car. Sheared rivets might result. Gears might be stripped and even a broken axle might be the disaster.