1930-12-03 — Page 3

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1930.

MOTOR NOTES

SECOND-HAND CARS.

HOW TO SET ABOUT BUYING.

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1

Testa to Apply,

First, get to know the age of the car. The engino is staniped with a number, and the makers will tell you the year when this number was ised from the factory. The distri butivo side of the industry has its own special list giving the general market value of any car of any year, and in this list age rather than milenge is the decisive factor.

circular direction; any pronounc od backinah is a sign of wear. If tha propeler shaft is covered, jack

THE UNSKILLED DRIVER,

MOTORING ACT "AFFORDS

NO PROTECTION."

Over 1,800 people were killed and rear wheel and move it back and fore; this movement will dis£3,000 injured last your in England cover for you any backlash thereby private cars. There were over may be,

A Hill Climb. Ench wheel should be fested for woar of the axle: The springs should be examined for rust and for their foxibility; a further lest will come when the car is trind out on the road. The steering arheel should be examined for say backlash, and the brakes tried. in this latter connection not how far the justament provided for the

its limit of movement. The nearer that limit the more has been the wear of the brake linings. With one uro Lest, that, of the com pression of the engine, which is done by using the starting handle with the electric switch in the off position, we are ready for a trial. on the rond.

There is a widespread belief that the buying of a second-hand or - is an extremely risky business. the Beand-hand market become clogged, and because old cars! DO And to get rid of the flow of now Then, first of all, the engine, one on to the market is lindered. round practice is to inku off the There is some truth in the belief.cylinder heads and examing for In any event you buy a cerian wear and tear, for effective lubri-brakes has been screwed towards Jumount of wear and tear of man.ention. But to save the cost of chinery. And then there are un- this, and to get a good indication known factors: i-usage rris of the smooth working of the en- ing

anduo speed work,gine, or its roughness, as the case lack of attention, carelessness in

may be, apply what is called the stethoscopic test. An ordinary the matter of lubrication, worn piece of wood will serve, a piece goar teeth due to bad changing of of lath a foot or 18 inches long.

dozen and

With one end at your war, put the tnings which are the mark of the carelessther in turn to the top of each cylinder, with the engine running, or the ignorant driver. The effect and roughness, a too-free play of is cumulative, and heavy when pistons anything that suggests translated in terms of a repair bit. other than sweet, well-lubricated But that is ono side of the ques running. Make the name tosts of tion. The other and brighter is the valves. Overhand valves, especi- that cars to-day are very sedem ally in the smaller powered cars, run to their useful working limits are apt to wear and run noisily.

ither by a Úrst or

The valva noise is not remediable; that given a fire owner who has the only enra is a fresh outfit. A fronted the machinery with ear noisy in its valys one should sideration, both in the garage and condemn; on the road it is uncom or the road, you may nequire amonly irritating. used air merely a little out of date and sound in wind and limb. In scquiring such a car you will save one, two, or even more years depreciation, which will leave you cortainly a paper balance in hand with which to bring it right up to tuna

second owner.

con

to BCO

8,000 people killed in the year by street nooidents caused by vehicles of one kind or another, but the number of fatal accidents caused by public buses, taxicabs, coaches and trametrs" wcro 001. Motor vans and lorries come next to privato cars with 1,300 deaths against them.

4

These figures prove that the trained driver of motor vehicle, who has to pass a sovers Long "be" torn being granted a licenco, is

A road trial should include a responsible for far fewer fatal as- burst of speed, not for the ke

how cidents than the private driver, of

but speed the engine develops power, unwho, under the present regulations,

should der good conditions it include acceleration, a test of all and under the new Motoring Act, the gears, not forgoting the reverse gear to try the maneuverability of is allowed to drive a car, in manz the car; it should also include hill climb. We all love a good vases capable of racing speeds, after so little tuition that he litor clean climb on top gear, but the real test is to see how slowly the car will climb on top or the appra ally learns while he drives, tog often as the expanse of other peo- [priate indirect 'guar. There is an aft-used phrase-hanging on to

trate on Blu

If we are still doubtful after all these tests, then we must compon. ear that has been re- conditioned by some firm of dis tributors, the reputable whom offer auch ears with a short- period guarantee.

ameng

n

Should Prove Ability.

Is there any reason why appli sants for a licence to drive à pri- vate niotor-car or motorcycle, or a lorry or van, should not have to undergo the same tests as oma- bus, coach and taxi drivers? The owner of a private areoplane has to undergo a course of training end pass tests that soon rúveal any Lack of skill before being granted a licence to take a machine beyond the confines of an aerodrome. Mer ability to take off and land on aeroplane is not sufficient to pass

lg work which is a sound one.plo's lives. Apply tha stethoscope to the gear. If the oar does hang on, slowly, box. When the engine is running maybe, but unfaktoringly, to its one of the two shafts in the gear-Lask of elimbing in the particular box is always runaing, and you gear suitable to the gradient, that

I evidence of robusiness. get some indication of wear hore by this test. By jacking up both rear wheels and putting the gear in a test in like manner. can be It broomes a question, then, of made of the differential and the "votting" a prospective purchase.

rear drive, The next thing is to If you know the owner this vet open up the geariox and examine ting becomes fairly simple, Lack the gear teeth. If the owner has ing knowledge of the history of the bora good at gear-changing and has car and of its owner, lacking also kept the gears well lubricated the aufficient practical knowledge to

teeth will show. little sign of wear. "wet" the ear for yourself, the I the teeth are snipped or braken Boundest way to not about the busi-hora and there that means force- pea is to employ an expert, who ful or bad changing. If they aro for a reasonable fee will give the just worn, then a big mileage has car a thorough examination. The been done, and this wear is also second-best way is to claim the some sign that correct hardening kindnces of a knowledgeable friend. has not been achieved. The remov- But if you havo some small acal of the plug usually found on quaintance with cars and motor- the top of the differential casing ing knowledge is widespread to-day will enable you to see something -the task should not be beyond of the gear there. Another way to you. An examination should be test for wear here is to take the net about in a systematic way, and propeller shaft in both hands and the chief points are here discussed. BCD if there is any movement in a

Tel.

MICHELIN

FOR

STRENGTH

Distributors:

A. GOEKE & 00.

CHINA BUILDING, 4TH FLOOR : Depot:-FIAT GARAGE: 67, DES VEUX ROAD CENTRAL

Tel.

22402

THE LIGHTER SIDE.

THE GHOST TRAIN.

THE WORLD AT ITS WORST-SUBURBAN DRIVING

SET OUT FOR DINNER PARTY IN A STRANGE SUBURB

SIGN SAYS "PRNATE WAY PASS AT OWN RISK CUMBS IN

AND CRUISES ON, WIFE BE- GINNING TO MAKE SUGGESTIONS

OVERTAKES MAN WHO HAS NEVER HEARD OF SYLVAN TER-. RACE, BUT TELLS THEM HOW TO REACH SILVER AVENUE

FREE WHEELING EXPLAINED.

REACHES SUBURB AND STARTS LOOKING FOR SYLVAN TERRACE. 18 SURE HE HAS FOLLOWED DIRECTIONS EXACTLY -

AGREES RELUCTANTLY AT LAST THEY'D BETTER STOP AND ASK SOMEBODY, STREETS AT ONCE BECOME DESERTED

CRUISES ON. FINDS ACACIA LANE AT LAST AND REMEMBERS THAT SYLVAN TERRACE OPEN

·OFF IT. (Copyrigat, 1930, by The Bell Syndicate, Inc.)

EASY SHIFTING WITHOUT DECLUTCHING BY FOOT.

One of the most interesting and significant developments imaginablo is the an American manufacturer of the standing of Studebaker should have adopted a free wheel as a standardized fitting on all the latos eight-cylinder onts.

The Commandor model, the amn!.

Savernake Forest, near Marl- borough, Wilts, is inhabited by deer, and gutes are placed across all roads leading through the forest. These gates are closed soon after sun- the test, and the intending piloter of the two straight eights, was down, and a red light placed on them to warn motorista, who have has to show a degree of all-round to dismount and open the gates if skill' they wish to enter the forest.

new last year, and then, beyond all doubt, was an extremely nice Similarly the ability, to start, car of its typo; the latest Com stop and not very skilfully steer amander is much improved in gever. car should not be sufficient to allow at ways, and the addition of the Eo free wheel gives the car what can

A party of four had motored from London, bad enjoyed themselves thoroughly at Pewscy carnival, and were returning home very late at night. They had to pass through driver out, on the road. the forest to get on the Bath-road should be obliged to show himself only be termed a fascination, par` and the driver, when he arrived at aapable, under the eye of a skilledticularly for the more experienced one of these gates, pulled up.

After the car had been standing inepoctor, of coping with all like driver, and considerably greater case of control for the less experi there some considerable time, any emergencies on the road.

noed; And that is bearing in other car pulled up behind it, and

mind what has been done with tree

the driver of the second car, after

It has often been said that such

also waiting some time, got out and tests are impossible. To work anywheels in Europe. walked along to the driver of the scheme of the kind would call for first car. He inquired if anything.

The Studebaker free wheel, ac-

was the matter. "No" wis the un ironse staff of trained instally built into the gear box and answer, Nothing at all, just wait-pectors, it is claimed, and the only golution, is the physion! fincas ing for the train to go by!"

clause in the new Act

*

*

"Cockney Calling!"*

It was the height of the morning rush in Tralalgar-square. The 'bus pulled up with a jerk as a rather ancient two-seater pulled aeron the rond and stopped dead in front of

UN.

Its driver, a middle-aged lady descended and tried valiantly to got the thing started by twirling the starting handle round as hard es ahe could. But nothing happened, save that from the vehicle issued several strange wheezes and grunts.

Fed-up, the conductor of the 'lus (an open-top ane) leant over the rail and called out, "Walcher, Mum Trying to get-Davenly 7"

•

Why She Stopped.

A lady was displaying her new sident to suspend the licence of a car to a friend. It was her very

first car and she was duly enthu-negligent driver.

siastic

Value of B.A.C. Oorticate.

aporate on second and top gears; jaa while, in addition, second eilent ratio, which in itself is par ticularly worth having.

mit,

to

In any case, the oir will do Physical fitness, unhappily for practically all its work on top gear, from a amnooth 3 or 4 m.p.h., and the theorists, certainly does noi make a man a skilled driver, alhas that marked ability of a good straight eight engine to pull quita though a certain standard is 'ad-slowly on a main rond gradient if mittedly necessary. Muscular and required, Bocolerating away, still nontal co-ordiantion is more impor, when traffic conditions per

First is used just to get the car portant, and this is lacking in too

More under way, and the change from many var drivers to-day.

first to second is normal, in that! stringent regulations and the posule clutch is used, though distinct- sible suspension of the license of

ly easier than the average; there drivers involved in fatal accident after the clutch may be negolected a stop in the right direction; if the driver wishes until the car is stopped again. That is the part but it is too much like locking the of the thing the man accustomed stable doors after the horse has been to the normal car finds it difficult

to visualize beforehand, and tolen to wait until after an ac

which he very soon becomes used in actual practice. Changing from accond to top is done as usual, Dg far as a light pauso with the Irver.in" nomtral is concerned, but feet. But there is just one little The Royal Automobile Club have the clutch need not be used to ob tain a quiet change, nor much thing I must get altered this mirror a standard driving test which many more important abill-poed the here. And he pointed to the mirror. Do you know, I punitive car salesmen and private drivers clutch be touched in changing down ly can't soo my lace in it without undergo voluntarily. A certain from top to second; all that the getting out of the car. Isn't it too number of marks are awarded for driver has to remember is to lift his foot from the throttle, pause silly!

The degree of ski manifested in alightly with the gear lover in gear. each action of the test, the highest and then move the lover smoothly total being 100. The possession of into scoond speed position, where- apos the lower ratio is engaged the K.A.C. ted certificate, a little with nothing more than a clicking book about the size of a driving sound, hence, with a high percentage of the clutch in the usual way all the -Conversely, the driver can employ marks, has often told in the favour of a driver whose skill han boca questioned in court. There is also the personal satisfaction of being adjudged a good driver by the ex-out of action altogether, all that perienced inspectors that the R.A.C. employe

"My dear," she said, "it is per-

SHELL MOTOR OILS

Every drop tells."

Tuors can be do doubt that im iur tents carried out by country

dime, and then the change handles much more easily than the normsi, both up and down. Further, there is the most important; provision allowing the free wheel to he put

is eccesary being to get the en gine pulling either on top or on accond, the, case, may be, take out the clutch press down a Imob on the ton of the gear lover, and move the lever to a position alight-

licensing authorities would greatly ly beyond the customary places for

cgrozier of 10, or second whichever grays.

road deaths caused by private care: brudd "at neód as i brako, and commercial vehiclox"

pradically no lose at time.

Yours to command!

O

The

3.

By GLUYAS WILLIAMS

SYLVAN TERRACE SEEMS TO HAVE VANISHED. WIFE BEGINS TO MUT- TER THAT THEY'RE GETTING LATE. STOPS TO READ STREET SIGN

SPIES A FIGURE AT LAST. DIS ~: APPEARING IN DARKNESS DOWN SIDE SREET. HASTILY TURNS CAR AND PURSUES HIM

DRAWS UP AT HOUSE, HALF AN HOUR LATE. HOST WILL SPEND EVENING EXPLAINING HOW EASY IT 19 TO FIND

It's portablet

ORIGINALOD

DHNER

"The machine to count on".

DODWELL

& CO., LTD.

Queen's Building

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Prose No. 138505