The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1927-03-02

MANY OBSERVING motorists already
have noticed that cars used for test
purposes by factories seem to last
a great deal longer than any auto
mobile In the hands OF the average
owner. Also. they have observed
the interesting paradox in the case
OF the commercial traveller who
appears to get more satisfactory
miles out of his car. though he
abuses It, than the person who uses
his or her car only few thousand
miles each year.
Cylinders Grow
No one seems to know where the
facts. have been concealed all these
years. but engineers now are com.
INK out with the statement that
the cylinders Of an automobile tend
to grow. This happens only when
cylinders are kept heated through
friction and through combustion.
The growing process is a phenom.
enon in metals. and means that the
cylinders. instead of becoming larger
through shrinkage or wear Of the
metal OF the cylinder walls, simply
expand inwardly, thereby compen.
sating for any actual wear on the
walls.
Recently q new model was given
q very severe test at an automo.
bile factory,s proving ground. In
3 relatively short time, through
incessant driving day and, night,
this car piled up mileage of 100.
900 before it was knocked down for
inspection. Upon close investiga,
ton 1t was found that the wear on
the cylinder walls was less than two
thousandths. an unusually low wear
even for q car driven only Is. 900
miles. Finding such results, the
average car owner would be moved
to great enthusiasm for the long.
evity Of the materials used In the
engine. but not so with the inspect.
ing engineers. Their first thought
simply was that the cylinders had
grown sufficiently to compensate
for a considerable portion of the
wear occasioned by the movement
Of the pistons up and down in the
cylinders.
Heat ProIongs Life
In other words. heat is a very
vital factor in prolonging the life
OF the average engine. The more
y .f 49,
heat the less wear. Conversely, the
less heat the more wear. This
should be a valuable hint to those
motorists who think they are say.
ing their cars simply because they
s.baby" them, and to quote them,
drive the car only a few thousand
miles a year"
Engine wear is excessive during
the starting process, which easily
explains the fact that when car
is kept In constant operation 1t
wears considerably less than when
stopped and started frequently, This
also furnishes the explanation as to
why a travelling salesman who
moves about considerably often has
considerably less engine trouble
than the person who uses the car
only for an occasional weekend
drive.
The growth Of metals is q peculiar
matter, and a process which is not
entirely understood even by those
who have studied it carefully. From
the standpoint of intelligent car
use, however, it is not essential to
have clear understanding Of the
exact process. The fact that q con-
stantly used engine lasts longer
than one which is used intermit-
fently should be reason enough for
the practical-minded car owner who
wants to get the most miles out Of
his car at the least possible expense.
Keeps Engine Warm
This discovery also should offer
the suggestion to the motorist that
he should endeavor to keep his
engine as warm as possible at all
times, without, Of course, running
% the extremity of over-heating.
TIE modern engine is SO very well
designed. and is equipped with so
many units and accessories which
aid in the starting process. that It
very, often operates so successfully
when It is cold that the owner does
not realize 1t Is working at a dis
advantage. Thus he is apt to forget
a. close the shutters Of the radiator
front. II hand,pperated when he