1928-05-23 — Page 10

10

MOTORING NOTES

MOTOR FUELS AND OILS.

CONDITION OF OVER- PRODUCTION.

"

"Overproduction of oil early in 1997 resulted in crude oil prices -being cut 50 per cent. or more."

(CONTDJ

The current rate of oil production is uneconomic, for it causes an un-. certainty and instability, which, bei sides damaging the industry itself, must, i continued, ultimately affect

THE HONG KONG DAILY Y PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 23rd, 1928.

COACHWORK IN ENGLAND.

THE FLEXIBLE SALOON BODY.

CATE

During the past year we definite- the consumer. In the case of oil,ly entered a fresh stage on the road the growing consumption of motor of progress in bodywork as äpplied and commercial spirit in all the principal countries to both SOURCES AND ALTERNATIVES. of the world is a factor tending vehicles. The all enclosed type of towards such stability, while the more extensive use of oil in domestic heating cannot fail to have a bene- ficial effect on the market. The record consumption of oil products more serious slump in oil prices, by the American Petroleum In- In passing, it is interesting to note stitute, lies the main explanation of that in 1997 Great Britain used the decreases which occurred last nearly 800,000,000 gallons of petrol, year in the charges for motor spirit an increase of 15 per cent over the

Control of the oil situation is with 1928 consumption. the United States, for that country- produces over 70 per cent of the world's petroleum output, and handles an ever greater proportion:

swers to A questionnaire went out

HINTS FOR THE NOVICE.

IMPORTANCE OF LUBRICA TION.

vals.

[UT JOHN PRIOLMAT]

Most instruction books will tall you that the oil should be occasion- ally changed in the clutch pit, and at regular intervals in the gear box and back axle, but I have very sel dom met anyone! except on experi- enced enthusisat, who pays much attention to this important point. Some engines feed: their clutches with oil from the sump, but even this is no excuse for not regularly emptying the pit and putting in clean stud.

Gear boxen, I suppose, next to

you happen to remember to check

the level-a thing which is done fat more seldom than you might im- agine. Clumey gear-changing will in time damage gear teeth-in the shape of knocking ships off them, and these chips, with the oil sludge)

destructive grinding paste which at the bottom of the box, form a

accelerates the wear And tear throughout the gear box.

The newcomer to motoring would do well to shut his ears to the specious tales he will hear about coachwork continues rapidly to the impossibility of his motor-car back axles, are the most neglected gain in favour for motor-cars, to the exclusion of the open body or letting him down at any moment units in the average car owned by what is commonly known as the for any reason except petrol abort the inexperienced. It is not nearly touring-car. In the United States-age and type failure, and with the enough to add further oil whenever "In this statement,, one of the an-in 1997 unquestionably presented a to which one must often refer, when help of the instruction book make making comparisons in the motor-out for himself a schedule of Atten ing world-open-car production is tions to be Paid at Regular Inter- practically negligible. Even when The schedule" should be drawn up the touring car was the rule rather than the exception in England, American manufacturers who sup- plied chassis with open bodies did Coal And Power Alcohol. Considerable attention has been not trouble to fit rests for the hood. given to the search for alternatives These models left the factories with to petrol, and although good pro- the hoods up, and up they remain gress has been made in certained until the time for overhaul or directions, notably in coal lique faction, investigations have as yet failed to produce a fuel which will compete in price and in general efficiency with petrol. That satis factory fuels for use in cars can

*

scrapping arrived.

It was early realized in that country that if a saloon type of body could be produced and sold as cheaply as one of the touring pattern, the general demand would

mass-production

in strict conformity with the orders of the instruction. book, put sa clearly as possible, and truly and inwardly digested.

For example, careful checking, of tyre pressure, all chassis lubrication pointe, obvious things such as the condition of the working parts of the ignition, whether by coil and battery or by magneto, and water and oil levels. And in this connec tion it is well to be particularly careful about the oil level. Most makers recommend that the of should be withdrawn from the sump every 2,000 miles and a new cupply

to do this at the very least once

(Continued on next Column).

In the construction of van bodies

Gear oil is cheap enough in all conscience, and disagreeable as the job may be, I always think it is well worth while letting out the old, willing out the box with petrol, latter has evaporated, filling up and, when the last drop of the with new.

A Trouble, But ---- There are coué gear boxes which wir hold engine oil nearly as well- as proper gear oil, and unters there use such as undue noise I would

engine oil rather than gear eil The churning that goca on in" a gear box, over filled. with a heavy oil, most, of which is old and use- less, is a fruitful source of power loss.

some Bors of objection to its always advice a novice to use heavy

or both with new oil every 500 miles

of are constantly being produced. car was really running free than There is, in fact. a British-made save myself this email labour and chassis for every purpose, private

gishly. and industrial, and the British knew that she was running alug- coachbuilder can fastly be said to have moved with the times:

use

·18

Remember that some things can- not be over-lubricated, euch spring shackles, which are usually grossly neglected. The amount of oil you waste by too frequent use of the grease gun at these points is negligible. What you lose in comfort and long wear by wilfully forgetting them is very consider able. All machinery needs careful attention if you want it to work properly, and a motor-car rather more than most other kinds.

THE IDEAL CAR FOR HONG KONG IS

Austin Seven

First Cost-Low,

Upkeep-Small.

An Investment,

Paying Huge Dividends

in Pleasure, Comfort and Convenience.

Ask for full details To-day.

Sole Agents 1.

ALEX. ROSS & CO. (CHINA), LTD.

Prince's Building, and 1a, Chater Road. Telephones: "C. 27 and C. 2487.

NEW STUDEBAKER

and there can be no doubt that 1997 was one of the worst years ever experienced by the Amerienn oil industry. Some idea of this over production can be gathered from the fact that crude oil stocks in the United States at the end of De "cember last were approximately be obtained from shales-and from be almost entirely for the closed "0,000,000 tons higher than those in coal by various processes is an

car. Designers and manufacturers storage on December 31st, 1998, and established fact, but high mann. set to work, and the all-metal this despite a substantial increase facturing costs prevent their pro-saloon, made up of pressings weld-introduced. For myself, I prefer

ed together, with cellulose or lac every 1,000. in consumption.

That prices of duction on "a big commercial scale, gasoline during the season of big and not until this abstacle is sur quer paint finish, has become the almost universal type. With the gest demand averaged about 2 mounted will petrol alternatives

prevailing large factory outputs it cents under rates ruling on January from shale and coal become a pra was economically possible to lay

Most back axles should be up- ist, 1927, is also signiñcant of the tical reality. This same economic

down extensive and costly plants for the transport of goods, the use plied with heavy oil, because their results which attended the excess difficulty is met with in the case and to produce bodies which have of a metal-faced plywood, which design and construction make them production. Remembering the unique of power alcohol, which is acknow-much to recommend them at a cost gives lightness and freedom from 1ess oil tight than a gear box, but position occupied by the United edged to be an excellent fuel in price which is hardly credible in drumming, while furnishing the here again it is worth while finding necessary strength, has done much out by trial and error what is the States in the oil industry, it is not specially designed engines and as an Europe. Alte put up, it cost towards improving the general per- lightest grade of oil that can safely

admixture with ordinary spirit in an American firm put up, at a cost surprising that the trend of prices the usual type of motor engines of over £2,000,000, a bodybuildingformance of vans. Special bodies be used. I would cooner have to is other countries followed the Here, again, the cost of petrol plant with the capacity of about designed to suit particular trade nil up either gear box or back arle

In Great requirements, and often fitted with American market. In Great Britain must rise considerably before power 1,500 bodies a day. the cost of motor spirit fell 4d., and alcohol as a fuel attracts motorists. Britain, with one or two noticeable ingenious labour-saving devices, because of loss and know that my the prices of lubricating and fuel Coal,. shale, and power alcohol, exceptions,

however, are sources of petrol sub chassis or bodies is not attempted. oils, too, were lowered.

stitutes, and it is re-assuring to and even in those instances the American Industry,

know that when the petroleum re- figures are small compared to those The present situation in the oil sources of the world fail to meet of the United States of America. market certainly favours the con- the demands of consumption there The conditions governing the mar

In country districts it is often sumer, and the question how long is in these substances an adequate ket and the policy of construction. the conditions responsible for low supply of liquid fuels for generations in America differ from those pre necessary to use lightly made mads

railing in Great Britain. The ponse.

or lanes in order to reach the scene prices are likely to continue is of to come. interest to motorists; for probably The introduction carly this year quence in this country has been to of a fire, and oven to go where no as oil output aproximates more of ethyl spirit to the British market use fabric as a covering instead of road exists. If the buildings are closely to requirements, the charges aroused wide-spread interest, be paint, which, at any rate, in com- outlying, four-wheeled fire engine inconvenient for petrol and other automobile oils cause of the anti-knock" claimsparison with a varnish finish, saves may have to will advance. In the petroleum in- put forward for this fuel and the trouble and expense in upkeep. In lengths of hosing because it cannot the highest classes of British cars, cover rough or, more expecially, dustry it is unwise to look far median problems raised by the use ahead, because the element of of a spirit containing tetra-ethyl the coach-built body-often made by soft ground. Again, a fire engine speculation in oil development is lead, a dangerous poison, Apart specialists who were some of the is bound to carry a considerable too great; but it seems likely that from questions of public health, its first carriage builders in the world load, and the distribution of the in spite of the efforts of leading claims as an "anti-knock" fuel are still often adhered to,

is the rule, and the varnish finish weight over six wheels with ten A tires, rather than over four wheels producers, overproduction will rule of paramount importance, and the

luxury productions combining with four or six tires at the most, in the United States for some time. degree of the spirit's popularity in thoroughly good taste, beauty of is clearly desirable. With reduced The American Government may this country will depend mainly on

given weight, not only paes legislation to restrict output how completely these claims are line, and ease of travel, there is axle load for but whether such legislation could fulfilled. High compression engines ao work anywhere in the world pneumatic tires are

their use chassis weight can be cat be effectively applied is extremely show a greater tendency to knock superior to that of the regular possible but practical, and with

British coachbuilder. doubtful, for any Federal action of than other types, and with the in- this kind would be regarded both creased use of these engines, in some not without success, have been

A number of ingenious attempts, down and speed capacity increased. For ambulance work it is obvious by individuals and States as a motor-cars the knocking problem made during the past year or so that speed must be combined with direct invasion of their rights and has become more, acute. "British oil on that account would be strongly companies have been fully aware of to combine the attributes of an a high degree of driving control,

open and

closed car. They are, safety, and comfort to the patients opposed. Oil above ground means this, and extensive research has of course, something in the nature inside. On all these counts the royalties; oil underground does not. been made and much money spent of a compromise, but even if they British rigid frame six-wheeler can Furthermore, the United States bas by them on seeking a solution to only mark a stage in the transition be recommended. a shut-in production of 70,000 tons the question. A marked success has from the open to the closed car, proved that even with vehicles de- of oil a day, and any increase in attended their efforts and the they will have served a good pursigned for travelling across Coun prices would result in the release quality of motor spirits sold in pose. There were a number of try and up very steep gradients, maximum and Average of this, and an extensive drilling Great Britain has vastly improved examples of what are called sun ample campaign in proven territories with in the last ten years. The petrol saloons at the last Olympia Motor speeds can also be obtained on a consequent rise in production..sapplied by the big marketing com ghow. These bodies allow & part roads; and the fact that braking

One fact emerges clearly from panies bere is superior to that sold existing conditions that the petro in the United States: and either or the whole of the roof to be push on the four driving wheels can be ed or wound back so that, with easily arranged demonstrates that leum resources of the world are con alone or with the addition of the side window glasses down, much adequate deceleration force can be siderably larger than has hitherto small quantity of benzol it will more fresh air and view are obtain provided, giving the driver a large been supposed. The fact remains, usually be found to be effective ined than with the ordinary fixed measure of speed control, both in however, that oil is a wasting asset, climinating knocking in the average head coachwork. The use of lighter the open and in traffic and the rapidity with which the make of car.

metals and the adoption of methora Road-Holding Qualities. earth's supply of mineral oil is

Lubricating Oils.

of construction which, while not The efficiency both of steering and being drained indicates that some

Efficient lubrication is essential to decreasing strength or militating braking controls is largely depen form of conservation is necessary if reckless exploitation is to be avoid the easy running of a car, and the against safety, result in less weight dent upon the road-holding quali ed. Given this conservation, which importance of selecting the right oil indicate the trend of progress, parties, of a vehicle. in newly developed lands like Vene- for this purpose requires no em- ticularly in the manufacture of wheeler the pneumatic tires form zuela should be possible with a phasis. Unfortunately there is no commercial vehicles which are in the first absorber of shocks due to road inequalities, and with the minimum of trouble, petroleum will hard-and-fast method of describing tended for use as passenger con-

bogie suspension it is possible by undoubtedly continue to be the chief the qualities found, or requisite, in veyances.

oscillation to obtain, within limits, source of motor fuel for many years. a lubricant; neither does there exist Light Alloy Metals.

It has been proved by experiequal load distribution and truc The bigger amount of petrol now any definite classification of motor

Specifications of ments that over 30 per cent of tive effort from all four driving obtained from crude oil, as a resuit lubricating oil. of improved refining methods, is an lubricants, of course, are available, body-weight can be saved by light-wheela irrespective of the nature other factor to be taken into ac- but these, generally deal with the alloy all-metal construction on & of the ground. This ensures a count when discussing the future physical characteristics of the oils, single deck saloon vehicle to hold more continuous drive or conver As an ion of power into locomotion. of motor spirit prices. In 1921 the and not with their performance in from 14 to 20 persons. yield of petrol from cruda. petro-cars, although the viscosity figures example, on a certain well-known while steering and braking actions leum was about 25 per cent, while given in a specification are of great make of 20-seater British omnibus are improved, because the wheels in 1998, chiefly through the spread importance and interest, for they in- the reduction of weight was dew, adhere more closely to the surface of cracking, this average had risen dicate the thickness of the oil at the new body weighing 11cw, as of the ground. With the oscilla to 38 per cent, and it is stated that various temperaturen. The mutarist against the 17ewt of a similar body tion allowed by central pivotage of duplicated back axle. if the most efficient methods of must decide, through use, the type of wood. The saving in weight on the bogie or cracking now known were used in of lubricant best suited to his car, larger vehicles is proportionate frame displacement for a given refining, the 1928 yield would be always bearing in mind that it is Estimating the car mileage at 100 driving wheel rise in halved in com- raised to 55 per cent. The import- often necessary to use a different day, a saving of ton mileage parison with that of a four-wheeled ance of this development cannot be oil in winter from that used in would be no less than 10,300 ton vehicle; and far greater comfort to

The wide range and miles & year per vehicle. Light the patients conveyed is ensured. overestimated, for it means that, summer.

It will be seen, then, that this even with a sharp decline in the better quality of lubricants now on alloy metal does not splinter in world's petroleum output, the needs the market a tribute to the enor collision; greater strength in ob type of machine meets modern re- of motorists could be met without mous strides made in production tained because body pillars and quirements both in fire fighting and recourse to substitutes. Hitherto in processes during recent years will cross members can be made of the in ambulance operation. Although Great Britain cracking equipments nid the motorist in his choice, and same thickness from end to end; the latter really calls for

and repairs" are simplified. The specialized type of vehicle the have not been used to any large if a leading brand is chosen the Puliman saloon typs of coach body ideal chassis would be one having extent, but plants have recently should be little difficulty in been erected in this country caping satisfactory lubrication. As in has been much developed and now a six-cylinder engine, low pressure able of producing 100,000,000 gallons the ease of motor spirit, no shortage combines the comfort of a first-class pheumatic tires, and a four-wheel of petrol annually by these methods of lubricating oil need be feared; railway carriage with the con- drive of the rigid frame six-wheel Instead of being an accessory, it is for besides petroleum, at present the veniences of road travelling, and typo-there is no reason why such quite possible that in the near main source, lubricants can be pro- the covered double-deck omnibus a production should not find s future cracking processes will be duced on a large scale from vegethas come to stay-not before it was growing market and so recommend the main feature in refinery opera- able cils and animal fats in fact, time. In the latest six-wheeled itself from a commercial stand- tions, particularly if the claim that before the rise of modern oil indus models as many as 70 peron can point to employers of Last and cracked fuels have anti-knock fry in the last 20 years), these be conveyed with complete protec luxurious patterns of medium-sized ing vehicles-The values can be generally substan substances provided the bulk of tion from the weather

lubricating oil requirements.

tinted.

obtain-

(Continued on next Column),

Times,

It been

In the six-

President Eight

#

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80 miles per hour.

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THE HONG KONG HOTEL GARAGE

TELEPHONE-

(THE HONG KONG & SHANGHAI HOTELS, LTD.). SHOWROOM-23, QUEEN'S ""ROAD CENTRAL

CENTRAL.

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STUDEBAKER

VEHICLES FOR 16 YEARS

BUILDERS OF QUALITY

[6.2.3.7]