Evening star., 1938-02-20

"In asking our Contest Board for
an opinion we felt that the motorists
who spend hundreds Of millions of
dollars a year for oil should not be
pawns in any inter-industry contro-
versy," declared Thomas p. Henry,
president of the A. A. A. IF the
motorists can save money through less
frequent changes Of oil without dan
ger to their engines, as Q result Of
improvement in construction and lu-
brication, they are entitled to it."
Since automobile manufacturers
recommendations vary all the way
from change at 1000 miles UP to
change only at 5000 miles, or twice
a year, the A. A. AS advice that
these suggestions be followed by mo-
torists is In sharp contrast with the
oil industry's recommendation that oil
should be changed each 1000 miles
in summer and each 500 miles in
winter.
What percentage Of weekend acci-
dents is due to slow driving?
That question, raised in letters to
the Keystone Automobile Club, is one
for which accident analysis provides
no answer, club oficials state.
1T is unquestionably true, however"
says a club bulletin. that the slow
driver is factor in many accidents
and. rather especially, those which
occur on Sundays. when so large a
percentage of car owners takes to
the highways.
"The pattern of Sunday trafac is
one peculiarly made for mishaps. That
is true not merely because it is greater
in volume, but also because it en-
braces strikingly conflicting groups.
Sunday traffic is made up OF two
elements which have entirely different
objectives. One is the local traf1c,
composed Of that group which merely
is out for an afternoons drive; the
other drivers with more remote desti-
nations and a deep anxiety to drive
fast.
"The different interests of the two
groups assure that Sunday traffic
shall be constantly and sadly out Of
step. That circumstances, plus the
volume of traffic on such day, sets
the stage for accidents.
THE perfect answer to the situation,
Of course, would be the creation Of
highways Of sufficient width to segre-
gate the two classes of traffic. But that
is not always the econmic answer, and
so it is necessary to cast about for one
that, while less than perfect, may re-
suit in some improvement in the situ-
alton.
Such remedy is to be found In the
voluntary effort on the part OF slow
moving traffic to segregate itself; to
drive as slowly as it pleases. but to
keep over to the right, allowing plenty
OF space for faster drivers to pass. It is
a form Of courtesy which local trafic
might show to through traffic with
quite as much advantage to itself as
to the latter"
Dollar values in used cars are re-
spending to efforts of the automobile
industry to make every reconditioned
car that passes through dealers hands
a safe and attractive article for the
highway, survey within the industry
reveals, according to a North Amer
ican Newspaper Alliance survey.
Furthering the campaign to tighten
stocks Of used cars, manufacturers
have focused attention on improved
reconditioning methods. This includes
the factors of touching up and re-
finishing the exterior, restoring up
holstery, reviving motor tone, bring
ing the brakes back to their proper
balance, realigning wheels, etc.
One item to which the dealers are
giving particular attention in their re-
conditioning methods is the head
lights. Next to effective braking power.
good headlights are a prime requisite
OF safe driving. Estimates have been
made that 60 per cent of automobiles
on the road have lights that are defec-
tive in some fashion or other. In put
ting used cars in first-class condition
again, dealers therefore find plenty Of
work on the lighting equipment.
The automobile manufacturers are
not alone in their present emphasis on
reconditioning. A clinic sponsored by
a group OF equipment makers has just
begun one-year tour that will cover
81 cities. Five days will be given TO
demonstrations in each of the cities
visited. Each important step In the
reclamation OF car will be exhibited.