1930-05-01 — Page 11

THURSDAY, MAY 1, 1930.

FISK

A tougher, safer oversize tyre unsurpassed for

MILEAGE

This big sturdy tyre

will carry you safely

wherever you want

to go, at the lowest

possible cost per

mile.

OBTAINABLE AT ALL GARAGES UPON REQUEST.

Sole Distributors:----

Telephone C. 290.

USED CARS.

Assessment of Value.

THE CHINA

TANK CAPACITY.

An Interesting Analysis.

MAIL.

ranging from 12 h.p. to 20 h.p. in rating. A fal number of these cars have tanks holding only 10 gallons, so that, taking a figure of 8 gallons between replenishments and a consumption of 20 m.p.g., this

The number of Elling, stations on | represents a mileage of only 160.. main roads nowadays is so large, and the methods of supplying petrol front pumps is so rapid that it might be argued that there is no longer much need for a car to be provided with a large petrol tank. Then again, on the majority of cars there is 1

It is, of course, important to re- member,that the weight of petrol is by no means inconsiderable, 10 gallons of fuel weighing about 76 b. Furthermore, a large tank must be made considerably heavier than a small one because thick material and clearly visible patrol a number of partitions are neces- gauge and a reserve supply made sary to give it adequate strength. available by turning a tap, so that The mounting and protection of

it is highly unlikely that any but a large tank are other important the mast careless of drivers would points not always given sufficient become stranded by shortage of considerations. Euel.

On the whole, this analysis does

On the other hand, a modern carnat show the modern multi-cylinder is capable of running for prolonged car in too favourable e light as re- periods at high speeds, so that it is gards the efficiens utilisation of Irritating to the driver who is try- fuel. As prime movers go, the Ing to cover, say, 160 miles in four petrol engine is not open to serious hours, if he has to pull up at an criticism on the score of wasting intermediate point in order to take fuel; it is true that only some 25 per more fuel on board. There is also cent of the petrol consumed appears a psychological aspect, to the sub-in the form of useful work done, ject, namely, that the less frequent-but many of the losses, ars inherent i Hly an owner has to stop and All up in the bycle.

the tank the less likely is he to be Far more serious a cause of fuel dissatisfied with the petrol con-waste is the extremely high wind sumption of his car!

An Interesting Analysis. Believing this subject to be one of general interest to owner-drivers, the Autocar carried out an analysis

resistance produced by a closed 'car of orthodox design which makes

modern cruising speeds of 50 m.p.h. the power required to propol it at or so quite inordinately high. Until

m.p.g.

of a large number of well-known stream-lined form is adopted this some practical approximation' to a makes of ear, based upon the spe-source of fuel waste will remala and cifications which included figures it accounts for the fact that a car given by the car manufacturers which covers: 25 miles to the gallon for tank capacity and for miles per at an average of "thirty" may only gallon.

In making this analysis do 20 m.p.g. when averaging 40 (says the Autacar) we divided the into four classes, selecting cars from 12 to 20 individual makes in each class, and the division was made as follows:-Baby cars up to 10 h.p. rating; medium-sized four; cylinder cars; medium-sized "sixes," and large cars with a rating exceed- ing 26 h.p.

Continental Cars Score.

GILMAN & CO. tank capacity provided

How many purchasers of Second- hand cars have considered their purchase or prospective purchases in the terms of unused mileage? When a motor vehicle is bought, one Is not, in fact, buying the car it self in the sense that a piece of jewellery or a picture is purchas- ed, but is paying for the service that is going to bo obtained from the vehicle. To put it differently, one

is buying potential mileage. It is

4A. Des Voeux Road C..

RUNNING COSTS.

Effect of High Speeds.

Fr

The result of this analysis is that! for the smallest cars the average is 51⁄2 gullons. In each case we took the figure for tank capacity, and multiplied it by the makers' figure for m.p.g., so obtaining the mileage which that particular car -would run on one tankful; these mileages were' also averaged, giving a result (for the smallest cars) of 215 miles. In- cidentally, this gives a calculated average of 29 m.ng. for the petrol consumption,

The same process was applied to the other car classes, and for the

As the burden of taxation borne medium-sized four-cylinder cars, by motorists is always increased gave a result of 10% gallons for rather than reduced, it behoves tank capacity and 270 mites for motorists themselves to endeavour maximum distance covered, the con-

In

keep down their running costs. Bumption averaging 25% m.p.g. One of the first things that a novice There is no doubt that this figure should clearly understand is that for tank capacity is considerably maintaining high speeds is one of higher than would have been the the surest ways of running up ex. case a few years ago, the reason be- репзея. Fuel consumption in-ing that in the intervening period creases at a surprising rate, even a number of makers have given up the best engine tends to fling out oil, scuttle tanks in favour of tanks the life of tyres is shortened con-mounted at the rear. Naturally, siderably, and if the speed is main the scuttle position limits the capa- tained without any regard to the city which can be employed. diffieült if not impossible to say what

road surface, breakages may result, this class, as in others, it was notice is the useful life of a motor car; Few motorists nowadays have suff-able that the largest tanks were obviously it will vary with the client patience to limit their speed usually those atted to the Continent quality, and the treatment it has

of travel to 25 m.p.h. on the open nl cars. road, yet if the experiment were

Medium-Sized "Sixes." received at the hands of its owner

tried for a month the difference in In the .next class. made or owners.. The same make of; running costs between driving under

up. of medium-sized six-cylin- car and approximate mileage, that those conditions and, say, at 40 der ears, many of the, chassis after a year in one man's hands, m.ph. whenever the opportunity are similar to those of four presented itself, would be appre-cylinder cars produced by the will look and perform almost as

ciable. It is possible, however, to aame concerns, so that the average new, a sister car in the hands of a strike the happy medium by touring tank size is much the same, namely, careless and less

well-informed along at about 30 m.p.h. and obtain 11 gallons. Qu the other hand, a wreck, and re- ing thereby the owner will look

maximum enjoy the average consumption of a "six" quire extensive mechanical repairs ment from the countryside.

is higher than that of the equiva-

A some-

those

as well. So it is well to remember, Incidentally it is surprising, but tent four-cylinder model, which re- that potential mileage can be dis-nevertheless true, that the time duces the mileage which can be sipated more rapidly by carelessness taken to accomplish any given discovered on a tankful. Actually, and neglect than by legitimate use tance at a speed never exceeding 30 the figures worked out at 250 miles as shown by the speedometer,

m.p.h. is very little more than when for this six-cylinder class, repre- Suppose one is contemplating the

one Indulges in frequent bursts of Benting a consumption of nearly purchase of a two-year-old car of 40 m.p.h. Probably the governing 22 m.p.g. In the case of the large; average price.

It is reasonable to factor is not relative speed at all, cars very big tanks are the general think that the total potential mile but the obstructions which are met rule, the largest of sil age of an average car of this type with in the course of an ordinary examined being that of the 36-220 when new is 100,000 miles before it run and which have a far greater h.D. Mercedes, which holds no fewer is scrapped. It is found that it has effect on the performance of the than 36 gallons probably repre- done between 20 and 30 thousand high-speed car than on that of the seating a mileage of at least 350. miles. A careful examination of slower-moving vehicle.

We found that for large British the car shows that it has probably what similar parallel may be drawn and Continental cars of this class been fairly well cared for, and between the conditions which arise tanks holding from 20 to 25 gallons raisorably carefully driven; still, when violent acceleration and de- re common, but for the American various minor faults may cause one celeration are indulged in as com-ars, somewhat smaller tanks are to debit it with another 5,000 to rared with getting away gently and the rule, which is rather surprising, 10,000 miles, in his mind as deduc- pulling up in similar fashion. In considering the long distances often table from its prospective life. the former case tyres wear more covered by motorists in the U.S.A. Then we know that, given aver-quicky-the Dunlop Co. state that an The average figures for the whole age care and usage, we are buying, increase of 10 miles an hour in class worked out at 19 gallons for Bay, 60,000 potential miles of ser speed doubles the rate of wear be- tank capacity and 275 miles for dis- The majority of reasonably tween 30 and 60 mph.more fuel tance, representing a calculated modern cars that come on the is consumed, brake linings do not consumption of 14% m.p.g. accond-hand market do so because last so long, and a far greater do-Of course, to a certain extent their late owners wanted a change, gres of wear and tear is imposed on these figures are deceptive because it were tired of the old car, needed the vehicle Haek. The actual say. is quite common for the last two more seating capacity, more horas Ing. in time, moreover, may under gallons of, say, a 12-gallon tank to power, a closed car instead of an many conditions be hardly ap be trapped as a reserve supply, or opan, or some other reason of the preciable, If, for example, a driver even if there is no reserve a driver kind, not because they are worn knows quite delmitely, that he will usually begins to think aboût m- out or have not still many thousands have to slow down behind a largo plenishment when he has only a of unused miles to their credit. So, furniture van rumbling along in the gallon or ap of fuel remaining. Con- It may well happen that it will pay distance, he might just as well take sequently, the mileage which would the prospective purchaser better to his foot off the accelerator and close actually be covered between re up without using the brakes at all. plenishments on any of the cars To maintain a refrly high speed which we haye analyzed would be until within 40 or 50 yards of the probably at least 10 per cent, lower van and then heavily apply the than those stated. brakken is mer spectacular and Viewing the results, as a whole, decidedly v

In this and bearing this point in mind, it would age other waysT

ular seem that the class of car least, wali free chats

not off from the point of view of tank capacity is ther alx-cylinder type

vice.

Ignore the dictates of fashion and obtalt for the money he has to spend a two or three-year-old car that has a big potential, mileage, life before it, rather than to get a year old car that, by reason of use or treatment, has

ached

and has most of

llenge behind it.

ALL KIND

OF CAR

REPAIRS.

FIAT GARAGE

67A, 67B, Des Voeux Rd. C. Tel. C. 4821.

11

Enduring Excellence

Long after the average car begins to show the effects of mileage, the Dodge Six continues to prove Its mettle. It is so weil made it preserves ila "newness" and youthfulness even after thousands of miles. of travel. The body romaine tight and rigid. The finish retains its lustre. The brakes stay permanently efficient. The whole mechanical assembly continues to perform with utmost smoothness, responsiveness, ease and economy. It is only such enduring excellence which given the Dodge Six its world-wide reputation for the ultimate measure of durability, dependability and long-life.

DODGE BROTHERS SIX

285

CHRYSLER MOTORS PRODUCT

"SOUTH CHINA MOTOR CAR CO.

Tel. C. 5644.

33, Des Voeux Road Central.

BETTER BUILT FOR

Tel. C. 5644..

BETTER PERFORMANCE

UNH

NHAMPERED by precedent, Studebaker

engineers have designed a new truck

chassis of exceptional strength and power.

Its 6-cylinder Studebaker engine--4-speed gearbox― sturdy front and rear axles— powerful 4-wheel brakes-stout.frame and over-sized universal joints all emphasize un- usual engineering skill in Studebaker's new

146-inch wheelbase truck chassis.

The extra margin of strength built into this rugged truck-plus an ample reserve of power provided by its 68-horsepower engine,

4-speed gearbox and low rear axle ratio — make it an ideal unit for all types of haulage

worki

*

Studebaker's now truck has a capacity of 4000 lbs. allowable weight for body and load—plus 300 lbs. for drivers.

All purpose body and Cob

High box body for general hovling:

High shake body for belky Sonds,

O COM 41

STUDEBAKER

THE HONG KONG HOTEL GARAGE

25 Queen's Road Central

Tel. Central 4759.