HIGH ROAD AND BY-ROAD

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20498, 14 May 1938, Page 24 (Supplement)

HIGH ROAD AND BY-ROAD

A COLUMN FOR MOTORISTS,

EXHAUST SYSTEM DANGER IF NOT GAS-TIGHT Engine wear and faulty fitting result in fouling of the interior of the car with exhaust gas or oil fumes, a sickening and dangerous condition, i Many earlier models had a short ; exhaust pipe, permitting the discharged gases to eddy and rise through : floorboards. Try fitting an extension pipe. Excessive crankcase fumes emitted from the breather may be led to a point below the side tray by arranging a flexible lead down. Exhaust gaskets deteriorate and Nirn, and need replacing. General tightening Is advisable from time to time. Look for a cracked manifold or broken studs in bad cases. Close up any possible points of entry in the floorboards by fitting cover plates or mats closely surrounding the pedals and steering column. SPARKS An American who was buying his car on the hire-purchase instalment system has been keeping up his payments regularly, but now he is in gaol. lie used to pay his instalments and then go and steal them back. * • * • As the best interests of car manufacturers are allied to long troublefree service from the power plants in their vehicles, it stands to reason that the oil-change practice suggested by the respective motor manufacturers is j the best advice to follow. | An interesting controversy has arisen in U.S.A. between the manufacturers of motor cars and the oil companies, on how frequently, on a mileage basis, ! should the engine oil be changed. The car makers’ recommendations have gradually been extended during the last two or three years, and now vary from change at every 1,000 miles up to change at 0,000 miles. These recommendations are in sharp contrast to the oil industry's recommendation that oil should be replaced each 1,000 miles in summer and every 500 miles in winter.

A pneumatio tent has been placed on the English market. It is shaped like an Eskimo igloo, with windows to

open and shut from inside, and is so constructed that upon Inflation of an air tube, built into the seam of each of the four corners, the tent assumes a taut, upright position, with the four seams converging to a dome at the

top. There is no centre pole to get In the way of movement in the interior. The outfit is supplied complete with quick Inflating pump, deflating key, pegs, etc., packed in a small canvas valise. It Is stated that only three minutes are required to erect the tent. When the private owner is lubricating the chassis of his car, not infrequently the oil from the gun refuses to enter a bearing, 'but squeezes out from between the nipple and the nozzle of the gun. This indicates a choked oil passage, which generally can be cleared by passing a fine wire through it after the pipple has been removed. In very bad cases, the whole shackle bolt may have to be removed, so that It can be cleared. This, of course, Involves a little trouble in jacking up the car, but it is worth it in order to prevent undue wear of the 'bolt and its bushing, and annoying squeaks.

In commenting on the unsightliness of advertising hoardings throughout the country, Sir Stenson Cooke, general secretary of the Automobile Association of Great. Britain, recounted an amusing experience which he had I while touring New Zealand with Mr G. W. Hutchison, secretary of the Automobile Association (Auckland). They were driving through virgin bush many miles from the nearest settlement, when they were confronted with a sign advertising a brand of petrol. “If I had had an axe I would have cut it down,” said Sir Stenson. “As it was, ! my reaction was an irresistible urge to I buy another brand.”

SPARKS At Totterdown, Bristol, they have Installed a floodlit traffic policeman in order that he may lie easily seen at night. The policeman has had several narrow escapes. “I consider it would be a good thing !to ban horse traffic in the heart of j Glasgow.”—Mr W. L. Callander, of the j Scottish Sporting Car Club. ! Practical application of the “public ; shame” idea as a deterrent to reck- | less driving is being made by Superior j Judge, James L. Allen in Orange ' County, California. Since last Novemi ber he has sentenced many drunken, I reckless, and hit-and-run drivers to ! having a four-inch red stripe painted ) on their cars as a prerequisite to pro- ! bation. Los Angeles is to have level-crossing gates of flexible steel. If a car hits them they will not wreck it; they will break it gently. Dialogue at Alloa Sheriff Court when a local bus driver was charged with failing to stop at a “halt” sign:— Driver: “I thought it was a slOvV Sheriff: “Did you slow down?” Driver: “Yes, my lord.” Sheriff: “Will you stop in future ” Driver: “Yes, sir.” Sheriff: “Well, you can go.” Two Maltese policemen have arrived in Glasgow to study traffic control. The Motor trusts that Glasgow methods won't make the Maltese cross. Witness in motoring case: ‘‘l definitely heard the constable say: ‘lf lie doesn’t move on 1 shall converge on him.’ ” The average compression ratio of U.S.A. cars for 1038 (some 21 different makes, and 47 models), is 6.3 to 1, as compared with 6.27 to 1 in 1937. The average piston displacement has risen from 269.4 cubic inches in 1937 to 271.3 cubic inches in 1938, raising the average brake horsepower from 110 b.h.p. to 111.6 b.h.p.