The Washington times., 1918-10-05
BY BARNEY OLDFIELD.

Copyright. 1918, by King Features syndI
cate. Incl
by BARNEY OLDFIELD.
1t IL a very remarkable fact that
the modern motor car is only about
one-eighth efficient. II the car
were 100 per cent efficient IL would
be able to travel in the neighbor-
hood OF 400 miles per hour and
would consume only about four
gallons OF gasoline In doing so.
By 100 per cent efficiency in this
case | mean IL all the power gener-
ated by the explosion In the COM
bustion chambers was delivered in
actual driving force at the rear
wheels. As IL is seven-eighths of all
the power originally generated Is
wasted in some way or other on
Its journey back to the driving
wheels. The Importance OF this
fact to the private owner lies in
the suggestion OF vital Importance
or keeping every part of the ma
chine In such shape that this enor-
nous power loss will not be in
creased. 1t is bad enough at best
but IL the works" get out OF gear
1t becomes impossible. Suppose we
examine the locations at which
these power losses occur.
We shall accept the power gen
Grated by the explosion in the
combustion chamber as 100 per
cent. Practically the instant the
hrst loss occurs, IS per cent OF the
original power In the form OF heat
Is dissipsted in the cooling water.
Another IS per cent Is lost in the
exhaust gas, the Inuffer and
exhaust pipe disposes OF another2
per cent, friction in the engine
cuts up another 8 per cent, wind
resistance consumes q further
per cent and a final 4 per cen: goes
through friction between the tires
and the road surface. Thus we
reach the driving wheels with
only a very minute fraction OF the
100 per cent power that started 20
bravely with the explosion In the
cylinder.
Sull for all the lost power the
modern motor car has plenty OF
energy to perform its appointed
task, but obviously It will not do
to let further waste creep in. By
giving the car the proper atten-
tion, excessive waste will be obvi-
ated and the car will go on its
way rejoicing.
We shall take the various parts
where losses occur in order and Of
fer suggestions for keeping them
at their present level or even, in
some cases, reducing them. To
begin with, the power lost in the
cooling water can be reduced to a
certain extent by changes in de-
sign. The reader must understand
that heat is a form OF power. II IL
were not for other factors. the
engine would run more efficiently
when IL was red hot. The re-
straining factor Is the necessity
for preserving the oil flm that
keeps the metal parts from seiZ-
ing. There is a point beyond
which the temperature OF the en-
CINE must not 90, or else the OIL
win be burned up and the moving
parts will seize. To keep the heat
from going above this point. the
danger point. the cooling system
was devised. However, In the at
tempt to make sure that the oiling
OF the engine Is protected. the de-
signers created a condition where
frequently an excessive amount of
the engines vital heat Is wasted.
i nat Is. more OIL lnc neat Oulu
be carried away at times than
there was any necessity for.
There has recently been placed
on the market what Is known as
thermostatic control OF the engine
temperature. This takes the form
OF a valve installed in the water
line, which closes when the cool
ing fluid reaches a certain degree
OF GOODNESS. This shuts off the cir
culation of the water and naturally
it heats up very rapidly. whereupon
the valve opens and permits the
water to circulate again. Many
makes OF cars now include Their
mostatic control in the regular
equipment, but any owner may Sc
cure such n device and install II
on his car or have 1t placed there
for an inconsiderable amount
While we are on the subject OF
the engine IL will not be oft OF or