MOTORING NOTES.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 26, 10 September 1920, Page 15

MOTORING NOTES.

DIRT IN THE ENGINE. Many drivers raise their engine hoods in hot weather, believing this will help keep the engine cool. At ths same time, however, road dust and dirt will more easily get inside the cylinders, either throught the curburetter or the crankcase breather pipe. And the resultant trouble is not worth the preventive step against overheating. LU BRICATT NG OILS. It is false economy to use anv but tfcf finest lubricating oils of the highest ash point obtainable. More dama-ge can be done to an explosive engine with a few hours' running using low ash point oils. than thousands of miles with the finest oils. The chief essentials of first-class lubricating oils are a high ash point and good viscosity at higher temperatures. It is also essential that the oil must be entirely free from acid. The biggest percentage of engine troubles is due to incorrect lubricating or faulty lubricants. PAINTING THE CAR. An expert carriage painter only, can cbtain the real "factory finish," but it's well to know how to do the work yourself. When the surface is in good condition, and it is desired merely to freshen the colours, clean off all dust, dirt, and grease with benzine or turpentine. Next sandpaper lightly to cut the gloss, and then apply one or two coats of a. good automobile finishing varnish. If it is desired to change the colour, first thoroughly clean off all foreign matter with sandpaper, apply two coats of automobile enamel of the desired colour, and varnish. LUBRICATION. Motorists who do not think they are getting sufficient mileage from a gallon of benzine should take care to luhricate their cars properly. Friction is the greatest friend of the gas b:il and the best decelerator in the world. One of the points forgotten by many motorists is the careful oiling of the valve-stems. On a long drive or where the car is being nsed with regularity, the oiling of these stems with a good grade of oil will make an appreciable addition to the miles per gallon and will greatly increase the efficiency and pulling power of the car. IMPROYEMENTS IN APPEARANCE. When motor-cars were first built they were designed more for their mechanical features than for any attempt at the beautiful. The first cars looked like ordinary buggies withoat the shafts lor the horses. Then came the body with the entrance at the rear, with a lithle step,. that folded against the stobp. Thes^. were high and the passengers looked as if they were riding in a second-storey honse. Then came the car with the doors on the side, but still without a hood or windshield. These were hardly more comfortable than their real predecessors. Then the car with staeam lines, and top and windshield, and four cylinders and every modern accessory. WELL-INFLATED TYRES. If the tyres are kept properly inflated, the principal cause of most tyro trouble will be eliminated. Repair shop statistics show that 75 per cent. of all tyre troubles are -directly due to insufficient mflation. The best puncture preventive is plenty of air. An under-inflated tyre is far more apt to pick up a sharp ohject t-han one which remains perfectly round under load. You safeguard yourself against trouble on the road— unpleasant work and annoyance of repairing punctures — -when you inflate your tyres to recommend pressures. Motorists who never regard the necessity of keeping their tyres properly inflated are often the ones who complain when adjustments are asked on faulty tyres and this carelessness must be taken into consideration. The following prices will show the value in London and Invercargill

Under. the auspices of the Victorian Motor Cycle Cluh, & new world's record has been set by Parsons, on an Indian Scout. Parsons smashed Korner's world and 579 miles in twelve hours. These, and cycle for 600 cubic centimelre machines in twenty-four hours.

Parsons covered 1104^ miles in 24 hours and 579 in twelve hours. These, and all intermediate times and distances create new world road records irrespective of povci'. The Standard Scout model was used and positively nt> replacements were made during the ride. The last IO5 miles were covered in the record time of eleven minutes and tlie machine finished in a perfect condition. Remembering the state of the Australian roads, this is considered the world's greatest motor cycle performance.

Car. London v. In'gill. £ - £ Chandler Six 850 775 H-upmobile .?. 795 695 Briscoe ... 515 485 Maxwell 500 525 Oakland 495 480 Chevrolet ... 435 435