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Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 474, 2 October 1928, Page 7

HEADLIGHT

HEAVY VEHICLES PNEUMATIC TYRE CARE QUESTION OF TREATMENT Even in these enlightened days there are many users of pneumatictyred commercial vehicles who insufficiently aprreciate why some of their tyres give considerably greater mileage than others. And should one or more outer covers fail earlier than expected the reason is very often attributed to faulty manufacture, and the makers are discredited accordingly. So far as the leading makes of giant pneumatic tyres are concerned methods of production are so standardised and supervised that variations in wearing qualities between covers and tubes of the same size and pattern are very much less than was the case when pneumatics were first applied to heavy load-carrying vehicles. If, therefore, disapponting results are experienced, it will usually be found that the conditions under which the tyres in question are run, on their treatment, are responsible. In fact, it can be regarded almost as an axiom that every pneumatic tyre is capable of giving the maximum mileage for which it was designed; whether it attains it or not depends almost entirely upon the manner and circumstances of its use. It is generally recognised that only if accurate records of daily performances are kept can the best results be obtained from motor transport vehicles. These records should, of course, include entries relating to tyre service, but it is not sufficient merely to record mileages obtained from individual covers and tubes; such information should be accompanied by particulars on the conditions under which the recorded mileages are run. Daily entries should be made of the tyre pressures, speed conditions and nature of the roads covered, and the loads carried, noting overloads and distances covered with them. The additional clerical work involved will be well repaid, and by periodically comparing results it should then be possible to ascertain conclusively which combinations of operating conditions are most conducive to tyre economy. By no other means can the causes of undue tyre wear be traced. A world car show in New York City is a prospect for the year 1929. A formal offer of space for exhibiting purposes has been made to European manufacturers for next year’s show at the Grand Central Palace through the Permanent Bureau of International Automobile Constructors in Paris, by the National Automobile Chamber of Commerce. In the event that foreign manufacturers accept the invitation it is proposed to set aside a total of 11,000 square feet of floor space to accommodate the imported exhibits.

SUDDEN ACCELERATION HINTS ON JERRY ACTION Jerky action in starting a car may come about in many ways, one of the most common being simply due to the unsteadiness of the foot when balanced upon an accelerator pedal controlled by a light spring. One of the ways out of the difficulty is to fit an auxiliary spring giving a greater reaction against the foot, but better still is a footrest placed alongside the accelerator pedal. On an extremely rough road, when it is practically impossible to avoid jerking the accelerator pedal, the best course is to discard its use altogether for the time being, controlling the car by means of the hand-throttle lever. Sudden acceleration also wastes fuel, so that the aim should he to maintain as steady a speed as traffic conditions permit; the wasteful driver is one who makes a habit of reserving the use of the brakes for the last minute, and then accelerating again with equal suddenness. The actual cruising speed at which a car is driven has a considerable influence upon the petrol consumed, but the most economical speed to adopt varies greatly in different makes and types of car. For most medium-powered cars of the family type, with 4-cylinder engines rated at from 10 h.p. to 14 h.p., the most economical speed is probably between 25 miles an hour and 35 miles an hour. For cars with larger engines, particularly those of the sixcylinder type, a speed of about 35 seems to give more economical results.

A BOX OF ELECTRIC SPARES The small parts and tools which are required from time to time either for remedying some defect in the electrical equipment of the car or making an adjustment too often go astraj’’ or are damaged if stowed away promiscuously with the heavier tools 5n the main kit. A good plan is to fit up a stout cigar- box with compartments of suitable size into which can be stored spare bulbs, friction tape, magneto spanners, carbon brush, spare contactbreaker points, extra fuses, and any other accessories which may be needed in the event of an electrical failure far from home or garage.

MAGICIAN AND HIS CAR In a recent interview in London Jasper Maskelyne, the famous magician, was found in his dressing room poring over maps. “Lucky you caught me,” he began, breezily. “I’m off on Monday. I’m going to give my new Hillman a thorough trial.” He turned eagerly to the maps. “Aberdeen 522 miles, the first day; John o’Groats 244, the second. Then we shall tour Scotland. I’m feeling a bit run down, and I’m going to have the time of my life.” Maskelyne knows magic, and he evidently knows cars, when he chooses a Hillman. The manufacturers of these sturdy English jobs leave no stone unturned to give the motoring public tne apex of perfection, and at present their factory representative, Mr. Frank A. Bown, is touring New Zealand cooperating with Hillman distributors in organising sales. In the opinion of Mr. Bown, the coming season will be a record one for English cars.

CLEANING SPARK PLUGS In cleaning- spark plugs of the type which can be taken to pieces, many drivers persist in scraping the porcelain. This practice cannot be too strongly condemned, for the protecting glaze is removed, and oil and carbon will quickly lodge on the surface. Instead, wipe the porcelains with a cloth saturated in petrol. The metal parts of the plug may, of course, be scraped. In assembling the plug again, make sure that there is a copper and asbestos washer on each side of the shoulder of the porcelain, and also one to go under the plug when it is returned to its place in the cylinder head. Chamois leathers which have deteriorated owing to extensive use may be easily renewed. Wash the leathers in filtered water, or in distilled water, sprinkle them with powdered borax and scrub well. This will remove a.ll trace of stain and rid the pores of the material of the collected dirt. When the leathers are quite clean they should be rinsed in filtered water and dried.

PREVENTING BRAKE SQUEAKS Motor-car brake-linings often become glazed, which, causes them to squeak and operate unsatisfactorily. This fault usually can be easily overcome. Apply kerosene to the brake lining by means of an oil can, and then fill the can with neatsfoot oil, and apply in a similar way. If this practice is followed once a month, the brakes will be kept in a dependable condition, and will remain silent, but it should be remembered that immediately after the treatment the brakes will not bfc too effective, and it will be some little time before the linings have thoroughly absorbed the liquids and returned to their former state of efficiency. A road five miles long, known as the Golden Trail, built with waste ore from a gold mine, has just been completed in Colorado, U.S.A. While it is not commercially practicable to recover the gold remaining in the ore, it is estimated that the road contains £4 000 worth of the precious metal.