The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1921-12-09
MOST EFFICIENT
AUTO OPERATION
Saving Of Gasoline Given Place OF
Greatest Consideration
by Owner.
FUEL CONSUMED WHILE idle
Rapid Acceleration Is an Expensive
Luxury, Using More Gas Than
Gradual Speed Increases-
Other Little Economies.

Honest efforts to operate an auto
mobile economically often fail be-
cause the driver does not, in many
cases, understand the fundamental
practices most important to good re-
suits. Although fuel is by no means
the largest item of operating expense,
gasoline savings are customarily
given the place of greatest considera-
ton and consequently deserve first
mention.
The most fragrant source of gaso-
line waste lies in idling the motor.
Many drivers believe gasoline con-
sumption to be slight while idling
and that by avoiding use of the starter,
they are saving the storage battery.
To be correct, the battery is much
better off when used normally, not be-
ing allowed to remain fully charged
and practically inactive for long peri
DDS of time. On the other hand, fuel
consumption while idling is surpris-
ingly great because the vacuum in the
manifold is so low that a very rich
mixture is required in order that the
heavy fuel now in use may reach the
cylinders.
Harm Done by Idling.
When idling, excessive amounts of
gasoline collect in the manifold and
valve ports-excessive carbon is formed
the motor overheats-and the raw
gasoline dilutes the crankcase oil
fabrication at this slow speed is in
efficient because the splash from the
connecting rods is minimized.
Rapid acceleration, although de-
sirable in traffic, is an expensive lux
ury, using much more gasoline than
gradual speed increases. Unnecessary
and violent application of the speeds
and brakes will wear the bands pre-
maturely, strain every part of the
car and speed tires toward the junk
pile. On long stretches of open road
the driver will obtain better results
by using the hand throttle instead of
the foot accelerator, if one is installed
in the car. This is true because the
uneven gas feed caused by the foot
f1uttering up and down on the foot
throttle is eliminated, the hand throttle
providing a steady flow of fuel to the
engine.
Many drivers labor under the i'm
preston that it is economical to leave
the spark advanced to the limit and
run in high speed as long as the motor
will hang on, but the spark should al
ways be retarded as soon as the motor
begins to labor A continually retarded
spark is equally harmful. The spark
setting should always be adapted to
the conditions under which the engine
is operating.
Some Simple Matters.
Even simple matters, such as steer
ing are important; the proper method
Of turning corners and minimizing
switching back and forth when parking
are important, tire, transmission, rear
axle and gasoline savers. The car will
run most efficiently within a certain
easily determined range of speeds. All
of these things enter into this question
Of economical driving, exerting appreci-
able influences upon operating ex-
penses. They are the fundamentals
of skillful driving which the car owner
will do well to study, because they
result in smoother operation, sensible
motor maintenance and true operating
economy.