The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-09-03
CARBURETERS TO
OFFSET COST Of
GAS IN FRANCE
Experts Claim Results Unat-
tainable on American
Cars Because of Great
Weight.

PARIS. - Gasoline consumption for
automobiles is such serious question
here. with gas costing from So to co
cents n gallon. that recent French
tests to develop better carburetion are
being continued.
Cars smaller and lighter than those
generally used in the United States,
recently have averaged about GO miles
to the gallon of gasoline in official pub
lie tests. The winner in the principal
competition Of this sort made 6l miles
to the gallon.
Large cars, weighing more than A..
900 pounds, averaged close to 16 miles
to the gallon in the recent Strasburg
race Of 440 miles over the Grand Prix
course and under the same regulations.
This was the first race of this kind or.
ganiZed by the Grand Prix officials,
and it proved such a success that a
similar contest is announced for next
year.
Not Attalnable in U. s.
These results. however. We're under
the special conditions that govern all
such affairs. and admittedly are not
attainable by the average driver, par
tcularly in the United States.
Several cars OF q popular American
make competed in the LeMans test
for light cars. and their showing illus
trates the progress made in econom-
izing fuel Equipped with the same
carburetor as the winner that made 6I
miles an hour, one ran 80 miles on a
gallon, and another made only 36 miles.
These economy tests. according to
carburetor manufacturers, taught them
lessons that will show next year in i'm
proved design, but so far there has
been no revolution in engineering that
is applicable to automobiles in gen.
eral.
Racing tests, however. give a mis-.
leading idea of results, for the cars
that then average so miles TO the gal
Ion operate normally at about 80 miles
to the gallon. The difference, is ex-
planned as due TO six factors; the use
OF a special gasoline; equipment with
bh' pNSl
ment to get weak mixture that would
not serve in ordinary driving; expert
driving; perfect mechanical condition
OF the car and special adjustment OF
the motor for high compression, and
pronounced advance of the spark.
American Cars Heavy.
The reason for the better results OBJ
tanned by French cars over their Amer
lean competitors are attributed to sew
eral things. The American cars were
| heavier, and 1t was mathematicaily
certain that 1t would take more fuel
larly as the American cars travelled 20
| per cent faster. The American cars
also stood higher from the ground and
met greater wind resistance. also the
American cars had much larger mo-
tors which turned over at much slow.
er speed, so that great consumption
was inevitable.
When The different conditions to be
met by the French and the American
manufacturer are considered, experts
do not generally feel that there Is
any remarkable superiority In the
French car. These differences grow
out OF costs OF operation and the TEN.
perament OF the public. Gasoline costs
nearly twice as much in France as in
the United States, and French makers.
therefore. find 1t profitable 10 spend
more money to produce an economical
motor. This is done in several ways.
but principally by having a well'fin-
ished, small motor. with relatively
kigh compression. turning over at a