1930-12-27 — Page 12

THE HONGKONG. TELEGRAPH, MOTORING SUPPLEMENT. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1930.

SOME "TIPS” EVERY OWNER-DRIVER

The

SHOULD KNOW.

Every motorist desires to get the most service and enjoyment out of his car, but a general laziness, coupled with a tendency to "let well alone," results in a large proportion of cars being more or less neglected. Efficient and.constant attention to detalls bringe its own reward.

.

with the car. They give a more but others are notoriously un- general picture of the situation reasonable and fondly Imagine a guarantee against that their cars are worth at least and aro

50 per cent more than the most malding a faulty dlagnosts,

NEW MOTORING LAWS.

the battery posts and terminale plote combustion of the gas vapour will prevent corrosion that causes and wasted fuol, besides unsatis- loose connexions, and finally eats factory performance of the motor. away the metal.

For this reason it is economical to Instal new plugs at least once Suppose the engine is not satis. optimistic purchaser move How Change will Affect

A spark plug insecurely factory on hills, showing lack of plaint is that the company has not What else does it do by

who consistently, contribute to emetent operation. owner puts off the small repaird which In order to obtain bettor per-will ruin an inner he sees need attention will soonerformance from the battery, as well or Inler find himself stranded by as to increase its life, have the the rondside wishing he had not battery Inspected at that warm

wocks during the lot things go 40

go so far. The modern

Keep the terminals and

year,

reignition, and loss of power.

Beware Spilled Petrol.

serious

Bat

The common com-

half

Below

Drivers.

DRIVING AGE.

motor car, when compared with the monions clean to ensure good) in remarkably reliable, und really electric contact, and always keep of the best spring tons in one mage or even the destruction of choke has to be used quite a bit on any, payments which are in no way date of expiry.

requires

disn't rich enough.

new

"Please Pass Me."

CANO

New Spark. Plugs Yearly.

reduction The air pressure in the tyres installed will cause leakage. The power.

way of a clue to the trouble? Riven suficient should be checked once a week.ot gases escaping around the

promiam for the reduction in value Water and oil ure enemies of tyre plug will cause it to become Does it, for instance, backfire a as a car gets older. The reduc

Does the fabric, and for this reason small excessively heated, resulting in little toward the top?

tion given is about 16s, por £100 Atone cuts the casing should be probable daninge to the plug, poor cooling system tend to overheat on high values, but is only 58, to

even on the level when the car is 25. Gd., on lower

The fint part of the new Rond values, and kopt Alled with some good tyre

being driven fast?

£200 is nothing, o

Traffic Act came into force nt Home so that the filer. Oll deteriorates rubber and

the same

recently. tube in

ear valued A vory

An affirmative answer to caeli premium is paid on a car

Motorista short time. Never throw the

- Guard against leaks in the fuel

is that explanation

If the cost extra tubes carelessly in with the supply pipes or fluoiling of the of these questions Indicates too at 250 its on one worth £200. Theories of experience will not car tools and oflcun. Wrap them carburettor. Escaped petrol la lean a carburetor mixture.

to be still more cortain abont it of motor claims is on account of Act, which largely concerns the H- carefully with heavy paper or keep the drip pan or elsewhere out note how the engine starts. If the third party payments, that is to licences remain valid till the normal censing of now drivers. Existing the

engine may cause them in a strong cloth bag.

"A new set of spark

of a fairly warm day the mixture the Assured's car: the claims for driving

limited or affectail by the value of

The age for qualification for fearsome vehicles of 25 years ago,

Spilled petrol for the ear.

become Ignited by heatei!

n

a motorcycle., has been repaire his

to Another clae will be frequent under £50. In the

own car are mostly It the solution above the tops of the motor that appeurs sluggish and become

of low raised from 14 to 16 years, while but little attention.

After exhaust pipe or manifold, Lut OE all plates in each cell by adding dis- generally out of sorts. Is, however, incumbent

atalling of the engine and inability

any that for driving a motor vehicle much more commonly it is ignited in emergency. set of spark pluga has delivered thing as expelled through to pull slowly in high gear.

Insurance alues the

company do more than fill up tilled water, or, owners to

where the cost of repairs to exceeding 2 tone unloaded has and have the 10,000 miles the electrodes are apt by periodically with petrol, nil, and clear rain water,

the car would have exceeded the been raised from 17 to 21 years. mile water.

New applicants for concca will Regular

to generator adjusted to spring and to be burned and reduced in area, the carburettor air Intake system. Attention

value, but all other claims (and Per Aso that they no longer produce a l'etral consumption engine and chassis lubrication, summer driving conditions.

these are the great majority) tend have to go to their local authority Lattery, cooling system, and tyres thin layer of vaseline spread over hot spark. This results in incom-increases with higher car speeds. Not only does excessively high

to be larger, because a low valued and fill up a form which certifles speed lower petrol economy, but

opileptic car is more likely to give rise to Ats or to sudden faintness and that

that they are not liable Hyres and brakes weer fnater.

claims. There are several Tea- aons for this.

is they have sufficiently good eye- One is that It not so easy to control; the steer-sight to read a motor-car number-

at 26 yards.

If they have ing, etc.. are all more likely to plate at

any doubt about this they can take give trouble. Another reason is that an old cheap car is generally medical

advice. more carelessly driven, and by a less careful person, than is a valuable car, while. in addition, repairs to an old car often cost

It is understood that the local Carbon-Monoxide Fumes. authorities have made no arrange- According to an English writer, several have approached the Royal ments for these tests yet, though a special and peculiar danger Automobile Club to know whether arises in connexion with charges the club will conduct the tests for of drunkenness against motor

them. drivers, and it is quite possible that in a number of cases a man has been accused of drunkenness when in reality he was suffering wholly or parily from carbon- due to some monoxide fumes, defect in the engine, or in the exhaust system, ar in the car ven-

TRUST A THORNYCROFT. WITH YOUR TRANSPORT

THORNYCROFT

MARINE-MOTORS

"SPEED

BOATS

MOTOR BOATS

Yachts and

Commercial Craft

KADINO

PARAFFIN OR PETROL MARINE ENGINES

FROM

7/9 B.H.P. to 140 B.H.P.

Deal Direct-Stocks Carried

for Quotations Apply

JOHN I. THORNYCROFT & CO., LIMITED

Pioneer Building, Nathan Road, Kowloon.

Tel. 56752.

TRUST A THORNYCROFT WITH YOUR TRANSPORT

for

BUICK 1931

0311

certain

When they take delivery of a car, intelligent motorists invariably drive it carefully for a few hundred miles, in that, annoy- It is advisable occasionally to

ing though the practice may be, and inspect the shackle bolls U-bolts which secure the aprings they know it is well worth while.

Perhaps the most Irritating part on the axles. If neg in position

of the process, however, is that lected they may work loose, and

necasiona it must even when eventually you come to

cause # alight them up rust will have necessarily on the threads, so that "obstruction" to other notorists either the thread strips or it is We all know the black looks of the man" as he eventually impossible to adjust them at all. "other A slack ahnekte bolt will cause passes us after frantic use of the The obstruction is unnecessary rattle, and if this or electric horn. the U-bolts are slack quite posto some extent inevitable, but the sibly uncomfortable rolling will annoyance to both parties can be

alleviated. be experienced,

Ono manufacturing company at Loose Wires,

any rate, has found a solution to The story of a service man who the "oitering" problem. On the went to the rescue of a stranded rear-light of every new car which motorist emphasizes the impor-leaves the factory, the following tance of paying strict attention to notice is pasted: "New car being The details of the cur's behaviour. carefully run in. Please pasa

The reason He got the power started again me."

for the low aimply through noting that when speed is at once obvious to the ever the engine elected to run it man behind, and aluse of the To him this horn, till-temper, etc., are perfectly. operated meant something. If the inter- | obviated. mittent running of the motor had been hesitating a number of

pos sible

would have been Causes indicated. Valves might have heen sticking or breaker points jout of commission. But between stalis the engine ran smoothly. Noting all this, the rescuer con-

more.

tilation.

TOBL

Drivers suffering from the loss of a limb, if they have driven for the last six months, may continue, but if they are applying for a new licenco they will have to pass a test.

ELECTRIC HORN BAN."

For Motor-Coaches in the Streets of London.

The writer declares that no one wishes to shelter the man who Another advantage is that, even takes alcohol or any drug to auch, after the car is run in, new and an extent that he cannot control

WAR ON NOISE. leave the his car property, and it drivera can nervous

drunken driver pints notice in pesition until such time desirable that the

Viscount Byng, Commissioner of The dif Police, has declared war on noise in as they gain complete confidence. should be eliminated.

fculty in many chees is that Motor Insurance.

driver must admit to having taken the streets of London, and one re- sult in an order that no motor-conch some alcoholic drink, or his breath driver may sound an electric horn cluded that the stalling was due There are two features of motor indicates that he has done anywhere in the metropolitan dis- insurance about which This evidence has beca regarded trict. A statement to this effect is to a loose connexion in the elec-ear

ས Under trical system.

capac, motorists often have eir- such

na quite sufficient for the average being circulated to the motor-coach cumstances the running of the think they have cause, to com- engine would be either a feast or plain. One is the question of the policeman. or doctor to assume compris

Traffic regulations state that a a famine.

Checking over the value of a car in the event of total that he had taken enough drink to

motor vehicle plying for hire in system, he found the high-tension loss, and the other is the small become intoxicated.

die- Highly Dangerous,

the metropolitan polico wire to the call making only occa-reductions in premium given for

With

trict must carry a "horn, gong, or reductions in value.

regard sional contact.

Now carbon-monoxide gas is other approved means of giving au to the first point, corint sur highly dangerous and insidious dible warning of approach, with sometimes justified. Many

gas which can produce symptoms ance companies will accept a

This gne results reporter:

olleial said recently to a Dail Mail proposer's premium on a basis of that may be honestly mistaken for deep-toned note." A Scotland Yard

obvious-drunkenness. value for his car which

13

Incline.

Quite a number of drivers think

they cannot crank on the car

CAR

"As horns, do

Starting Tip. Having the battery go dead or the starter motor fail while the car is on level ground is reason enough for sending an 3.0.5. for ly much above its market value, from imperfect combustion, and sa fel But if a motorist is headed and then, perhaps having taken perfect combustion is not always is most electric to 15 was at

more pounds in premium than they attained in on engine, there up hill when the stall occurs it a mutter of overlooking opportuni- would have done had the car been be frequent instances, especially first decided to forbid their use on

idle,

when carbon-

"It was then pointed out that on to fall to take advantage of the covered for its real value only, the when starting up or running the motor-coaches.

company, when a total loss occurs, engine only agrees to pay one-half the monoxide is excessively produced long journeys motor-coaches may on which it has taken in mixture with the other products pass through districts where electric

of combustion.

If these fumes horns are not only allowed but also The

off company, momentum if headed in this direc-

has enurse, the ready defence that come through chinks in the floor- required. As a result both electric tion. The situation, often is the policy points out that only the boards into a closed car which is and bulb horns may now be fitted, advantage rather than a disadvan-market value will be paid in the badly ventilated, then a gradual but the electric horr must not be of carbon-monoxide used in London. It makes too much More positive cranking can event of loss, and that if the process LARO.

If in noise." be had reverse.

To crank under such conditions, assured is so foolish as to ever polaoning may be set up,

a driver insure

those circumstances It and expect to make place the gears in reverse and hold the clutch

pedal to the floor. profit on its loss, he is over takes an amount of alcohol which Release the brakes and allow the estimating the gullibility of insur- is well within his "normal" safe No doubt most allowance it is conceivable that ear to const backward. With the ance companies. ignition on, let in the clutch, companies express this in other the effects will be much more He has no suspicion of pressing it to the floor and apply terms and some defend their marked than in normal circum- ing the brakes the instant the attitude by other arguments, but stances. engine starts.

which it would produce. Under no condi-the position is not a happy one for the gas poisoning or of the effects tians have the gears in a forward the Inte car owner.

Warned of these possibilities, speed during this process.

the sensible driver will abatain It would be a good idea if every from alcohol altogether while on company would put a conspicuous journey, and the practice of note in their proposal form, con-offering alcoholic drinks to drivers nected by an asterisk with the should be discouraged. question asking the value, suggest ing to the proposer that he should

Looking for Trouble. Combinations of conditions are handy clues to the cause of trouble

Another shipment of the 1931 Model Buick Straight Eight Motor Cars has arrived. We cordially invite you to come in and inspeet the Eight with RUICK'S Prestige -you will then understand why more than 2,000,000 people have chosen Buicks again and again.

:

BUICK HAS AGAIN BUILT ́A 'DETTER AUTOMOBILE. ·

"

Why not let us take you for a rive in one of these new Buick Great Eights-and let you see for yourself how much more Buick gives for tena money.

114 Wheelbase Buick Modcis...

118" Wheelbase Buick Models.

124" Wheelbase Buick Models.

C$1,580 to G$1,655

G$1,820 to G$1,930

G$2,100 to G$2,195

G$2,160 to G$2,705

132 Wheelbas Buick Models,

THE DRAGON MOTOR CAR Co., Ltd.

TELEPHONE 80228.

28, Wong Nei Chung Road, Happy Valleys

A Suggestion.

Battery Cells.

VACATION INSURANCE,

The

Virginia has authorized the mobllo Insurance polletes. issuance of special vacation auto- includes collision, coverage

from tornado, riot, flood and water, earthquake and damage falling aircraft.

pressed down ao as to expel the afr. What the ball does after this

not over-value the car as in the Never add anything to the battells whether or not additional event of total loss only the market tery cells except distilled water grinding is necessary-

Should the ball fill up with air value at the time of long will be Battery cells are filled with a

pald

and that the figure ho inserts mixture of sulphuric acid and and regain its normal shape it is merely acts as n maximum and

water, and the correct proportion apparent that air is leaking into basis for premium. At the time of acid in the mixture should be it around the valve seat. If ther

The ball remaina flattened out the of each renowal the company rather exactly maintained. should remind the car owner that water in this mixture is constantly valve is tight, the car han depreciated and sug Rest that he reduces the value |

by heat and is also

Care must be taken in cutting and lost as hydrogen the ball so that the edges will be necordingly. Some people may and oxygen gas whenever the cella smooth and straight. It is a good Water plan to have a little oil around the as to detect, through

nsk

why

the company itself does are being overcharged. nat put a value on the car and thus lost must be replenished to edge so pay up on that value; to do this, maintain the liquid level in the bubbles, any leakage that is due however, the

would have cells. company

The sulphuric acid in the to the ball. to send an engineer to inspect mixture does not evaporate by haat

Tappet Clearance. every car, except new ones and

According to number of which escape from the cells and even then the matter of agreement nor is it decomposed into gases with each owner every year would in, the normal operation of a experienced repairmen, much of ben dimeuit and tedious affair. battery all the sulphuric acid to the trouble that develops with As a matter of fact, some com-water adopted in the original set- ongines to-day can be traced to the in sumelent to desire to have too quiet operation panies are prepared to give agree educa its

csintanto to a at idling spoed,. Not enough values and suggest specific reduc-

allowed at the tappete clearance this feasible point and to render tions in value each year to liquid immune against freezing, for valve stem

expansion. course is becoming more widely

of

the

adopted, but whether it will be but it is not sufficiently great to come general remains to be seen, cause the plates to be detrimen-Those who operate their cars vido greater tappet clearance than A further difficulty in this matter tally affected or to cause the with an eye to efficiency now pro- because higher speed is speed alone causes, a higher operating tem- perature and consequent increased

Soms valve stem expansion.

the

is that car be worth £500 on the insulating separators between the

the first day

policy

the excessive rate. worth $320 on

day of the policy and as the garding value always take place before the commencement of the

starts, but only plates to be naten away at anor his Just coptors re- |

Rubber Ball Tester. Motoriste who grind their own the assured expects to have valves and who do not happen to his car valued and the value agreed have any of the efficient toaters

for 12 months on the basis of ita handy can make a test with the bail carefully cut value at that time; this is a hard aid of a ship on the compan if the lots in half. ubber i

accurs 12 months later.

Low Values.

Some men are multe sensible garding the valves of their cars,

the special fucla add to the ins creased temperaturo. ⠀⠀

Complaining over a tap in the engine during idling, therefore, is bad business these days. The

la idled so little and driven; enging When the valve has been greind so much at the customary road It should be set into its soat and spoed it is a decided advantage to held down firmly. The half of the adjuet tappets for the latter con- ball should then be placed over the dition Always allow more clear valve head and seat and then ance for the exhaust valves.