1934-07-03 — Page 2

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HEAVY TRAFFIC

And How To Tackle It

An alert mind, a philosophical temperament and a well-behav. ed car the three most valiable aids to driving, comfort in heavy trafc. To this statement we may add that a study of by roads will enable a driver to avold many of the tedious de- lays entailed by an exclusively main-road route.

It

Apart from these generalities, many lessons are taught by ex- perlence which enhance the ease and confidence with which one can negotiate heavy traffic. is, lor example, as well to be aware of some of the idiosyn- crasies which distinguish other road users, such as the drivers ..of buses, trains and taxis.

is

Of these, the bus driver

as being the usually regarded most proficient and courteous. but nevertheless. he must be watched at stopping places, where he is sometimes guilty of pulling his heavy vehicle out in- to the road. with but little war- ning. Another point is that the bus driver sometimes assumes that everyone is aware of the route which he is following, and so may turn off to the left or right with out previously signal- ling to show his Intentions.

The tram driver cannot be blamed for the limitations of his cumbersome vehicle, but 18 nevertheless quite often a source of danger, to other traffic and to pedestrians. The most dange- rous characteristic of the tram is that the passengers are forced

to

cross strip of road when boarding or alfkhting: when tram has come to rest the only sate course left to the motorist is to welt until the loading and unloading processes are complet-

ed.

Passing a Tran.

In many towns local police re- gulations definitely prohibit the passing of a stationary tram on the left, but even where 'no 'suoh rule obtains It is both dangerous and unmannerly "to force one's way past people who are endea vouring to cross, to or from the kerb

re-

Before leaving the subject of trams we must mention the way in which these big vehicles are Sometimes left unlighted for half a minute or more, while the con- ductor is endezvouting to place the pufey of a swinging" trolley pole upon the elusive over- head cable, This constitutes ·a real danger in poorly lit streets. especially when rain or mist ren- der vision difficult,

On city roads, where the traffic is particularly heavy, one may have to crawl for considerable distances behind other vehicles.. It is advisable to keep one's place in the procession without allow- ing too big a space between the radiator and the tail lamp of the car ahead. A big gap will encourage the enterprising type of driver to overtake and cut

in. On the other hand, it is not wise to leave less than a couple of yards clearance if brought toy a stop behind a lorry because heavy vehicles of this type some- times roll back when the driver is attempting to re-start.

Impatient Motorists

Impatient motorists, when traffe is moving slowly in two... lines. have an irritating habit of trying to transfer from one line to other, under the impres-. sion that they will are a few seconds by so doing. These tactics delay following vehicles and are seldom of service.

An exception to this rule arişes when one wishes to turn off to the left or right, it being thên highly desirable to get into the appropriate line of traffic some distance before the turning is. reached. This is particularly im-

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, JULY 3, 1934.

MOTOR JOTTINGS

HINTS AND TIPS

For The Owner Driver

An uncomfortable driving. posi-" tion on a long journey will often result. in undue fatigue and er- ratic driving. The height and tilt of the driving seat will make a lot of difference to one's com fort, as will the distance from the driving pedala,

Most motorists find that driv- portant when one wishes to turning with the left hand or right off to the right at a busy cros- ping, as the car can then be placed centrally. while awaiting an opportunity, to continue, with- out Impeding. the main flow of " traffic.

Traffic signals and rcunda- bouts have now become so com- monplace as to require but little. comment. With "kignals, the general rule is not to Alter to the left against the red light unleas there is a green arrow to show 'that this manoeuvre is permis- sible. When turning in the right, the car should be driven to the centre of the crossing. from which position one can us- ually proceed as soon as the coast is clear: in some towns, how- ever, the police expect the car to remain stationary until the six- nals change.

The Round-about System The only real difficulty which arises with the roundabout dys- tem lles in the diagonal course which must be taken, across the traffic stream, should one desire to turn off to the left. Here a mechanical signalling de- vice is of great value when a driver la alone in a car, as it enables him to give a clear indi- cation of his intentions.

*

Motorist, trying to sell his car: "You see, sir, the great thing about this car, is that it is ab- solutely foolproof."

Possible Buyer: "Thank you. I may look funny, but I'm not a. "fool."

**

Shc on a car park: "Look.

Harry! what a lovely car; it is actually fitted up with an Ameri- can bar. How would you like that?"

He, emphatically: "Very much. I always like

fully to drive a licensed car.".

A RADIATOR HINT When filling the radiator It is advisable to fill it slightly above to ensure the vent or overflow

that it is not choked. If the vent pipe becomes blocked harm may be done to the radiátor, for as the water becomes hot a pressure of steam may cause the radiator to leak at its weakest point. It would hardly seem probable that the vent pipe should choke sui- "ciently to permit any pressure to be generated in the radiator, but the fact remains that they do choke occasionally in this man- ner neglected, as sediment from the water and grit form a. plug of cement-like hardness.

SACHS

Outboard

Motor.

The small engine

of highest Power

Speed

Simplicity

Reliability

Economy

For free demonstration apply to

F. FELD & Co., Ltd.,

Pedder Building, HONG KONG.

"

hand only except on those oc- casions 'when two hands are re- quired, as when gear changing or taking an acute bend, is the easiest and most comfortable position. But this is adopted the right arm is apt to get tired unless properly supported. A few shillings spent on purchasing an arm-rest," which can De easily Atted by the awner-driver, would soon remedy this.

Stiff Screws

To start a stiff screw choose a screw-driver with a well-ground blade which fits the screw head slot as accurately as possible. With one hand press the "screw- driver hard home and with the other apply a wrench or span- ner to the screwdriver and then

turn.

Morris Carburetters

On some types of Morris cars nited with the S.U. carburetter a certain amount of dificulty is experienced by some users in connection "with the more com- mon adjustments, which are en tirely simple in themselves but just require to be understood.

In obtaining the best slow-run- ning adjustment the procedure should be to allow the engine to warm up until it attains normal working temperature. Then dis- connect the mixture control mee- hanism at the extreme end of the brass arm actuating the jet. Screw up the springloaded jet adjusting nut. as far as possible. Move the lever slowly away from the carburetter, thus gradually weakening the mixture, until the engine idles evenly, fring regu- larly on all four cylinders. This is the correct normal running position. Next screw down the jet adjusting nut very carefully until just butts against the jet head.

At this stage the carburetter is set to the fully weak position at normal temperature, and the control links from the steering column should be reconnected. Care should be taken to adjust them so that the lever under the steering wheel is at the weak, position on the indicator plate

the when

Jet head is in close contact with the adjusting- nut.

If these adjustments are car- ried out correctly, the engine should idle evenly when warm with the lever in the weak position To allow for spring effect in the mechanism the lever should not actually touch the stop on the indicator plate in the full weak position. At least in clearance should be provided here.

Bonnet Rattles

H

Rattles are annoying, but in- cvitable as a car becomes older. A rattle should be traced at once and prevented just as soon as possible, for it means unnecces- sary, vibration somewhere on the car, which may give rise to trò- ble.

Bonnet rattles can usually be. effectively eliminated if the web- bing on which the upper portion of the bonnet rests is packed out with pieces of leather, until the lower" edge of the bonnet clears the portion on which is normally rests The webbing should be occasionally smeared with off to prevent creaking.

An excellent material is Dow available, which consists of a roll- of rubber ribbon, having an ad- hesive surface on one side. Thus, strips of rubber can be cut of from the roli and stuck where- ever necessary on the car to over- come vibration or ratttles.

Dipping

When negotiating a left-hand- bend during darkness the beams from the head lights of the car shine straight ahead, and thus leave a dark spaïch of road. on the left, where a cyclist or pedestrian may remain unobser-

ved until the car is right on top of him. With cars atted with the modern "dip and switch" head lamps this danger and feeling of uncertainty can be removed by the simple process of dipping : the head lamps on negotiating a left bend, thus swinging the rays of the near-side head lamp to the left and so illuminating the kerb and the bend. "On a right-hand bend the beams of the lamps should, usually be left In the normal position.

Eye Strain

Now that the summer weather approaching it is an excellent idea to carry a pair of tinted cr smoked glasses, or even an eye shade, in the pocket of the car, 30 as to be prepared for driving against a low sum. In the early morning, and frequently in the evening, when one is driving in- to the sun it is practically impós- sible to see, beside being a strain upon the eyes which will often result in a very nasty headache- next day.

Squeaks and Rattles

Very often a particularly elu- sive rattle may be cured by at- tention to the doors. It will us- ually be found that the doors are fitted with rubber buffers and thas by continual use these have become flattened. It is not always necessary to renew them, for by fitting a small "plece of paper or tin behind the rubber the trouble can sometimes be 'cured. At the "same time, atten- tion should be given to the door locks, for if a few drops of oil are used occasionally at these points you will and that squeaks will disappear as if by magic.

Unless tools are packed well with rag, or in special containers they wil cause a tremendous amount of rattling. It should al- so be remembered that it tools are used on the road they should be packed away carefully again.

Loose floorboards

are another

common source of rattle; it is a very good plan to tack a strip of felt or of rubber to the edges so that in the event of theli rub- bing against one another they will not give rise to squeaks. If felt is not available, try lightly greasing the edges of the boards.

By placing a piece of felt cut to the correct size under the floor mats a feeling of comfort is given to the feet aand vibra- tion will often be prevented from reaching the passengers. This has the extra advantage of keep- ing the feet warm in winter and

cool in summer,

"

a

Hinges Weymann Saloons "It is well known that the old- style Weymann doors, being flexi- ble and light, do not require heavy hinges. Occasionally door will drop a little, and "in nine cases out of ten a good strong turn by a screwdriver on the hinge screws will result in a perfectly hanging, and thus: opening and closing, door once more.

Temporary Valve Springs

Now for one of those temporary repairs which need a bit of cau- tion. It may happen that a valve spring will break, and that the driver, being a normal man, has forgotten to bring a spare. In such unpromising circumstance & a coil spring, fastened at one end' to the cotter slot of the valve and at the other to any part of the engine or chassis, which will give the spring a definite tension, would allow the car to be driven safely to some point where the valve spring .could be replaced, even if the engine does not fire regularly.

Comfort on Long Runs

Alteration of seat angle often provides great relief on a long" run. To that and it is an excel- lent practice, to carry a couple of flat pieces of wood about in thick and, after some time place. these under the fore edge of the front cushions. This gives the seat an extra tilt rearwards, pro- vides increased support to thị thigh muscles, and is distinctly bencficial when one is tired When out of use the fat pieces of wood will "ride" quite satisfac- torily under the front

1934 HUDSON

EXPORTS

Show Increase Of 260 Per Cent.

Exports of Terraplane and Hudson cars closely paralleling the increase of domestic business. During the period from January 1 to April 15, 1934, there has been an increase of '260 per cent. as compared with the same period for 1933 in export business. In addition to this, unfilled on hand as of April 18 are op- proximately five times as high as they were on the same date a year ago.

A SPORTING VENTURE

Capt. Kellett's Story Of

His Motor Trip

One of the pluckteat of recent motoring

the performances, is Journey just completed by Capt. & Mrs. B, O. Kellett, Accompanied only by a mechanic Mr. W. Kay from London to they drove Cape Town

light cars. in two covering just over 12,000 miles in all. They purchased their cars (two Halmah Minx tourers) in the ordinary way, and took the trip purely as amateur motorista.

under-

They encountered-and orders

are

These Agures have just been made publle by Chester G. Abbott, the general sales manager of Hudson Motor Car Co.

countries "Practically all buying Terraplanes and Hudsons at a much more rapid rate than they were at this time

a year ago," says Abbott, "In addition to the improvement made by the 38 major countries, there are destinations to which we

have shipped cars this year that up to this time a year ago had not re- ceived any cars. Big gains have been made by Australia, New Zealand and the Scandinavian countries. South Africa also which did a fine business in Ter- raplanes and Hudsons a year ago, been even better this year.

Another interesting point in connection with the export bust- ness is that Latin America is now beginning to show marked - tn- Braz!! provement. Mexico and are taking many more cars this and year and Chile, Ecuador Peru aré also showing activity. In the Orient we find China with a 268 per cent. increase and India · also having substantial over 1933. · As a general summary of the ex- port situation, probably the best picture of our standing now, as compared with a year ago, may be had from the fact that orders now on hand, plus previous ship- ments, total approximately 105 per cent. of all last year's ship- ments."

Bur-

mounted-innumerable difficul- ties but arrived safe and sound at their destination. Their cars behaved admirably throughout. and at no time did either of them develop a trace of mechani- cal trouble. Incidentally, they left one car behind in South Africa: this car was entered by its purchaser for a strenuous from 1,000 mile reliability trial

Cape Town to Port Elizabeth and back. and won the Light Car: Class without loss of marks-a

fine finish to.. an epic perfor- mance!

The "expedition" left London on November 18th last, and, after a journey across France and Italy. arrived at Syracuse (1.969 miles) on November 24th, ayera- ging 284 miles per day, From the Sicilian port they shipped across the Mediterranean to Tripoli, which was left on November 27th, and theparty reached

Cairo (3,597 miles on wheels from their London start) on December 5th.

Cars a Karity

"The journey from Cairo tq Khartoum was unpleasant. "The first 500 miles consists of very dusty roads through the irrigated areas," said Capt. Kellett: “and then, unless you are prepared to ship.your car, it is necessary to cross a desert stretch of about 300 miles to the West of the Nile. "At the end of this you and your- self opposite Wadi Halfa, and the Nile has to be crossed on a barge, lashed to the side of a river steamer,

"Fair Going"

"From Wadi-Halfa to Abu Hamed the road follows the railway line across the. Nublan desert and is" fair going for the most part. After leaving · Abu' Hamed we encountered" & minor. sand storm, and in the confusion it was necessary to forsake our proper.course and try to keep close to the Nile. This neces- -sitated passing over really ap- palling, rock country. The last 300 miles into Khartoum 'were over sandy road." and we reached there on December 21, having taken' 7 days to traverse the 1,437 miles of rocky and sandi desert from Cairo.

"South from Khartoum the heat reached its zenith and in the Southern Sudan the shade- temperatures inside the cars at" mid-day. and for several hours afterwards, were in the "neigh- bourhood of 110 deg. F... In spite of this and of the gruelling conditions, neither car boiled orice: nor. in fact, did they do so during the whole journey.

"At Juba we crossed the Nile for the ninth and last time and struck the rains in the southern. part of Tanganyika and in North and South Rhodesia. During all these changes of altitude, tem perature and climate the care continued to give complete satis faction in every way, and whether It was in mud, sand or on tarmac roads they did every- thing that was required of them. concluded Capt. Kellett.

The concluding stages of the Journey were by way of Bula wayo (arrived February 21st, de parted February 23rd) and Johannesburg. Cape Town, the goal, being reached hd ⠀ March 14th. Interesting figures con-

:: cerning the Bistance covered etc., supplied by Capt: Kellett. "are as follows:

Total gross mileage for both cars, 23,000 miles.

Total petrol consumption for bộth cars, 879 galls.

Average for both cars taken together. 28.43 m.p.g.

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20 to 70 Passengers

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Pioneer Building, Nathan Read, Kowloon,

TEL. 56752.

TRUST A THORNYCROET WITH YOUR TRANSPORT