The Washington times., 1931-02-04
POWER Of. NEW
CARS CREATES
PROBLEMS
Better Use of Advantages Is
Urged on Drivers, Both for
Going Ahead and Stopping
By ]. LEO SUGRUE
Times Automobile Editor

Better use of the increased
power supplied as standard equip
ment" on modern cars is urged
upon those now taking possession
OF the new models. The warning
covers power to stop as we'll as
power to move forward.
Accustomed to shifting gears. or
reSorting to various eXpedients to
climb hills in high gear, and pre-
pairing to exIend considerable
physical energy stopping the car
in an emergency. the average
driver finds himself on new
ground now that acceleration as
well as deceleration has been
stepped up so radically.
This unfamiIiarity with a new
condition is resulting in unneces
sary mechanical trouble which
can be eliminated through a bet
ter understanding. which will lead
to better use of the cars greater
abilities.
Strain on Wheels
1t has been pointed out that
the power of the new engines is
such as to place considerable
strain upon the wheels, if drivers
do not use moderation in acceler-
ating, even though all parts have
been markedly strengthened.
Tires already are the subject
of considerable discussion it being
found that they are suffering
from unwise use of what should
be the advantages of the new
cars. Motorists are taking curves
entirely too fast for the good of
the tire treads. Stopping has be-
come so abrupt, in many cases,
that it causes severe strains on
the tire treads as we'll as on the
side walls.
Some engines are powerful
enough to cause wheels to spin
before getting traction if the &C
Ce1erator is pressed to vigorously.
Better understanding of and mod
Grafton in the ues of these new
features are urged to avert losses
and troubles
Tight On Rear Axle
Just one of the details few car
owners consider is the Importance
of keeping the rear wheels tight
on the axle. With acce:eration
end deceleration frequently ap-
!pIoaching new maximumS, it is
obvious that there is additional
strain at these points.
Experienced drivers know that
occasionally it is necessary to
t2ke up on the wheels to prevent
the creaking and grOaning noises
which result when they are slight
ly loose. This lOOSeneSS is a more
prevalent condition now since
there is more strain at this point.
Few motorists appreciate it, but
the rather poor gasoline mileage
being recorded by some owners is
due largely to unnecessary ac-
celeration. Manufacturers have
designed their engines so that they
will be capable of meeting any
emergency promptly and. above
all, safely.
But there is no need to indulge
IA C441C4 SC41NJ oCCC4CI dOAOL1 COIl-
stantly and it should not be a
source of surprise to any driver
If, upon following this unwise
course. he obtains only IL miles
to a gallon of gasoline from a
car which ordinarily should give
him IS or better.
Properly used, most of the new
care are relatively more economi-
cal. 1t simply is in unwise use
of these new features that the
trouble lies. Power is so abun-
dant in some engines as to be con-
Siderably in excess of car own
er's average needs. In such cases
the motorist should take advant-
age of the situation by leaning
out the carburetor mixture. Un-
der such circumstances, and if
maximum power is not required,
excellent gasoline mileage can be
obtained.
Ordinarily. four-wheel brakes