Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-08-25

for crankcase oil a few years ago, but
it has crept up until such tempera-
lures as $50 and 800 degrees are not
unusual. especially in Summer. This
rleceSSitated research TO provide bear
ing material that would work under
such conditions. The high tin-babbit
bearing no longer functioned salts
factorily. Then came the copper
lead bearing, which for years was
used for radial aircraft engines.
This underwent improvement for
motor car use. 1t is continuing and
may result in bearing that will be as
resistant as the tin-babbitt bearing to
chemical effects or changes asso-
ciated with the lubricant.
In the meantime Mr.. Sibley con-
tinued, various dopes offered to mot
orists for adding to crankcaSe oil
constitute danger to the newer bear
ing materials. Needing of motor oil
not only promotes unsatisfactory ex-
perienceS, but also causes miSunder-
standing that may be applied mali
ciously to the detriment of products Of
merit.
THE new bearing materials of
greater rigidity do not permit the i'm
bedding of sediment as readily as the
tin babbitt bearing, consequently such
material remains in circulation and
has a tendency toward scratching or
scoring.
In view of that feature, combined
with chemical effects of the lubricant,
it is advisable for motorists to change
oil at reasonable periods. The periods
vary in different parts of the country,
dependent upon top soil (dusD, wind
conditions, type of air cleaner in use
and efficiency of oil cleaner.
THE cost per mile or a thousand
miles for lubricant constitutes about
the lowest operating expense for the
car: however, it is amusing to note
how much overemphasis is placed
upon the distance you should travel
between crankcase draining periods.
Other expense factors of greater effect
are disregarded in directing attention
to the oil change or consumption fea-
ture.
However. if fabrication is even
Slightly impaired, the results may be
serious. I believe it Is highly i'm
portant frequently to flush and drain
the crankcaseS of new engines and re-
built engines, especially those in which
the cylinders have been honed. 1t is
the more important where engines
using the harder type of bearing ma
terials are involved"
Mr.. Sibley pointed out in conclu-
sion that lubricating systems have
made little progress since 1920. Pos
Sibly some manufacturer will come out
with lubricating system that will be
as advanced as the bearing material.
X *
Retail prices of gasoline have de-
clined per cent during the last year,
figures compiled by the American
Petroleum Industries Committee show.
Petroleum prices are 522 per cent
of normal, as compared with other
commodities, which are 80 per cent
Va A4OAh SIlC y STUDY
shows. This study revealed that the
price OF gasoline 10 years ago was
As per cent higher than it is today,
while the amount of the average tax
was only two-fifths as high as at
present.
The average price of gasoline to
consumers as of July /, this year.
exclusive of the tax, was 1879 cents
a gallon, and the average gasoline
tax was 5.32 cents a gallon that date,
making total price to the consumer
of 1922 cents. Data were obtained
from representative cities located in
every State. The taxes include Fed
eral, State and where such levies are
made, city taxes.
The average price of gasoline on
July /, 1885, exclusive of tho tax, the
average tax and the total price in
Guiding the tax are given in the &C.
companying table for every section of
the country.