MOTORING NOTES.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 38, 3 December 1920, Page 13

MOTORING NOTES.

Th following amusing rncfdent is related by a writer in a recent issue of "The Motor" : — During the war I had oc. casion to be motoring in a Crossley tender along a bad road in North Persia. It was with interest that we watched the approach of another car, as the road was seldom frequented by vehicles other than Persian cars. As the cars approacned one another it became apparent that the other was an American car, one of the "very cheapest" variety, and that, on closer inspection, it contained a general. The two cars drew up alongside one another. We got out and spoke to the general. His thoughts would have been interesting — "These young fellows rushing about in a Crossley, while I have to toler. ate this. It's all wrong. " This, howe^ter, is merely a surmise on my part, as he mentioned nothing to that effect. Eventually he said : "I must be getting on." We wished him "God speed" as he stepped back into his car and wrapped himself up in his rug. The car started. We stood to attention and saluted, while the general waved his hand and shouted ' Good-bye!" At that moment the back wheel came off. In spite of the aggravation caused thereby all ranks could not re. frain from laughing. It called to mind Harry Tate in "Motoring" — "What's the use of sa-ying good-bye, we're not going yet." The general got out, and we started to search for the nut. As I was searching oue of those many stories fLashed through my mind, and I wished they had provided a squirrel with the car. It might have been more successful in its search than wa IN CASE OF FIRE. A fire-extinguisher should always be carried in the automobile — pref erably beneath the hood on the intake side of tl» engine, as this is usually. where the fire starts. If it is carried on the dash there is always danger of its being stolen. When the fire starts try to turn off the fuel at the tank, thus preventing the spread of the flames. Step on the starter pedal and turn the engine over— this will usually draw the flames into the manifold and extinguish the fire. If the drip-pan is aflame, turn the extinguisher on it before it attacks the carburetter, as the carburetter parts are of metal and are easily injured. If the flames spread to the ground under the car} push the car forward with the self-starter, having the low gear in mesh.

j If there is no extinguisher thrown sand, flour, or any dry powder upon the flames; but be careful about throwing it upon the engine, as it is very injurious, to the mechanism. Never throw water on burning oil or gasolene. Always remember that flames burn upward, so start your firefighting at the bottom. Above everything, do not lose your head for if you do the whole situation is lost, and the car, too, if some one else doesn't take charge. One successful means of eliminating the chances of fire is to keep your engine immaculately clean at all iimes. Grease and oil encourage fire, and once started under these, the difficulties are enormously increased. MORE WORK FOR REPAIRivRb. The frequency with which one hears the grinding and rasping of gears, due to very „ faulty gear changing, is an index to the large number of inexperienced users of cars->on the roads nowadays, and as most of these cars are new ones, recently delivered, the inevitable damaging of the gears means that repairers are shortly going to have a busy time over-hauling geatboxes. Incidentally, too, it shows tho foresight of Henry Ford when he decided years ago to adopt a practically "foolproof" gear in preference to following orthodox practice and using a sliding gear.