MOTOR WORLD

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXII, Issue 22, 21 February 1927, Page 6

MOTOR WORLD

NOTES AND OOMMENTS. fire: extinguishers. “Oh, I’ve got one of those things, but I don’t know how to use it,” said one of a small- -knot of jnotoi” car drivers pulled -up on the Great South Road in the Lower Waikato, to watch a car blazing merrily (says the “Times”). “One of those things” was an extinguisher, .which the latest arrival at the conflagration had rushed along to the fire from his own car. Out of the six motorists who had drawn up to express sympathy, even if‘they could not do anything in the fire brigade line, only two possessed extinguishers, and the one who didn’t know how to use it was driving a very, valuable car. People who cannot afford- these vehicular luxuries can never~understand why. the lucky owners don’t gb to the trouble of learning at least, something concerning their protection. HIRING GARS. The latest American development is the system by which a customer may hire a car, use it, and then can leave it at any convenient depot, which may be thousands of miles from his starting point, if he so desires. This <‘ chain ’ ’ system of hiring depots, or “renting stations,” is being organised by the General Motors Corporation. CLUTCH-PEDAL NOT FOOT-REST Unless the clutch is actually being disengaged, the loft foot should be rested on the floor-board, and not against the clutch-pedal. latter practice is harmful, not because it causes slip, but because it heats up the clutch withdrawal thrust surfaces, thins ' the lubricant, and in time wears out the mechanism, which makes gearchanging difficult, and means the expense of early renwals. EIGHT QUESTIONS. With 2000 new motorists taking the road each week, the problem of the motoring beginner is proving increasingly serious in England. To lessen the, d'angers such motorists constitute to other drivers, the “ Daily Mail ’ ’ suggests an examination for tyro drivers/ and that driving licenses should only be issued to candidates capable of passing the examination. The questions are: — Can you operate the controls, hand and foot brake, clutch, and gear-lever, horn and ignition switch automatically —that is, without having to fumble, look at, or grope for them? Can you manoeuvre the car accurately in reverse? Can you change from a high gear to a low gear easily? Do you know how to give the recognised warning signals accurately ?

Do you know the recognised code of police traffic signals? Do you know the recognised rules of the road? Can you drive round comers and bends in the correct, that is, the safe way? Have you a knowledge of the eti- * quettc of the road? Do you know how to operate the warning hooter correctly? . j Have you learned how to judge speed and the distance in which your car can be pulled up at any given speed? Do you understand the meanings of the various roadside warning signs? HOW TO DRIVE CHEAPLY. A vast army of motorists complain of excessive petrol consumption, but what percentage make any-effort to : economise? Within reasonable limits, miles per gallon is largely what drivers, choose to make it. Presuming that there is no loss by leakage, that the ‘ carburettor is a good one and properly adjusted, that the engine is in good order, and the brakes do not hind, it x .is then a question of driving. : Don’t start your engine before you want to use it. /‘Warming-up” is essential before a race or a hill climbing competition, but it is a waste of petrol in any other circumstances. ■■ Don’t' keep your engine running ' while you discuss the weather or next Saturday’s races or last night’s game of with., a friend on the sidewalk. ' J Don ’t keep it running when held up at a level crossing, especially, if the train is not in sight. “Idling con sumes. a lot of petrol, for which you got no return. .. / ■ . -. Don’t “step on it” up every hill. A whiff of gas will take you nup most hills on top, and even if you have to change gear, it is cheaper than opening the throttle wide. Of course, if you want speed, don’t take this advice, but remember speed, in any form of. transport, costs money.

Don ’t' use petrol going, downhill. Fit an extra air device if you want- to use the engine as a brake, but if your brakes are good and the hill is not too steep, coast. The'advice against coasting, on the ground that you have, more control of the car .when in gear, dies hard, but the brakes, on a modern vehicle should be so efficient as to render this advice obsolete. When coasting, go into-neutral, and switch off. With a little practice it is easy, having re-started the engine, to engage the top gear once more, either with or without the assistance of the clutch. An alternative not to be recommended is to slip the clutch and force the gear (top) just before the car comes to a standstill, then let in the clutch to start the engine. Don’t if you arc aiming at economy, drive right up to your destination, stop the car, put on the hand brake; get into neutral, and switch off last of all. In most eases you could stop your engine long before, and coast to a standstill.