MOTORING NOTES

THE MODERN CAR AND ITS DEFECTS

DERING the past few months I have had the opportunity of trying a dozen or more -different makes of motor-cars of

varying power and seating capacity. Although not expecting to discover a perfect motor-car, I was surprised at the nature of the defects from which nearly all of them suffer. Many of the faults are trivial, but nevertheless cause the owner a certain degree of irritation. Elsewhere the parts which, call for improvement are important and one is at a loss to understand why they have been overlooked by the makers. The modern motor-car engine is highly efficient and it is difficult to see what further improvements can be effected unless some entirely new type be introduced. With all cars tested the power developed, the flexibility of the engine

and the smoothness of torque were outstanding features, while the braking system called for no comment save approval.

It appears as though the last word had been said in these connexions. The defects which were apparent were all concerned with minor parts and fittings, but so glaring were many of them that the pleasure of driving was greatly reduced.

The owner-driver desires reliability and freedom from trouble, whether on the road or in the garage, and this he can secure, no matter what car he buys. But he also demands the acme of comfort and a design of car that can be looked after and maintained in perfect running condition with the minimum of attention. It is in connexion with these two requirements that nearly all modern cars fail in one or more particulars. The fitting of the spare wheel is frequently of such a nature that considerably more time is occupied in detaching it and attaching the punctured wheel than in jacking up the car and effecting the change.

This is a cause of irritation and is quite simple to remedy.

The efficiency of the modern car is proverbial and provided one carries an adjustable spanner, a pair of pliers and a length of copper wire in one's pocket, most minor repairs can be carried out on the road without opening the tool kit. It is, however, not altogether convenient to pocket

the jack and brace and yet these are the tools that are packed away in some inaccessible place. A more convenient position for them could surely be provided.

Much has been done to render the messy job of greasing and oiling less arduous, but improvement is still necessary if these very important tasks are to be carried out quickly and cleanly. On many cars the owner has a good excuse for neglecting the lubrication of many of the minor parts.

In the same way, the petrol and oil fillers are not all they should be. They should be large in size and placed in such a position that they can be got at more readily. The number of owner-drivers who employ an anti-freezing mixture in the cooling system is small ; the vast majority find it more satisfactory to empty the system in frosty weather, refilling

when the car is next required. This is, however, a lengthy business with some cars, as only a tiny drain cock is fitted ; hence a task that should be finished in a couple of minutes often occupies a quarter of an hour. A small matter, truly, but one which irritates.

The fatigue of long distance driving is minimized when one can assume a comfortable position at the outset and maintain it without the need for constant movement. This is not possible, however, on some ears, since the gear lever and hand brake are so placed that one must lean forward unduly to grasp them. When this is not so the gear lever

'S frequently under the driver's knee—a most inconvenient Position when one is wearing a long coat. The position of• the pedals—the clutch, accelerator and foot brake—is very awkward on some cars ; they are so close together that there is an ever-present risk of depressing the foot brake and the accelerator together, an action which is harmful

to the engine and transmission, as more power is developed ad the speed of the car is reduced. A fault with some

fluals is that they are mounted too high above the floor ; ee the foot must be raised to operate them, delicacy of in-piPulation being impossible. If the pedals be not adjust-

able, moreover, a driver of medium stature must slide forward in his seat to depress them fully. Driving comfort cannot be secured under such conditions and yet the remedies are obvious and entail no extra expense in construction.

Adequate provision is made, as a general rule, for pro- tecting the driver _ and front seat passenger, but their comfort in hot weather is often neglected. Better arrangements are urgently needed for cooling the front seats which, owing to their proximity to the engine, become almost unbearable in summer. Simple, inexpensive fitments are all that are needed. The position of the speedometer is frequently badly chosen, since it is necessary to alter one's pose to read the dial. This should not be required, seeing that this instrument is one of the most important on account of the information it gives regarding the running and tune of the engine. Outside door handles as well as inside ones should be fitted as standard, especially in the case of all-weather models. The saloon car is becoming very popular for town and country work alike, but the majority suffer from two serious defects. There is not sufficient head room—an inch or two more is all that is required—and the front pillars are often so massive that the driver's view is obstructed. This is the day of the 'owner-driver and it is only those manufacturers who appreciate this fact and live up to it who will find an ever-increasing demand for their cars.