From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Instructions regarding the engine cooling system, radiator shutters, warning lamp, and bonnet ventilation.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 15\1\ Scan345 | |
| Date | 2nd September 1938 | |
| -2- (1) The red lamp which is fitted to the instrument board is put there to prevent the driver forgetting to open his radiator shutters. When the red lamp lights it does not mean that the car cannot be driven further without danger of serious trouble. Actually, the red lamp comes in considerably before boiling point is reached and the car can be driven in perfect safety all day long at any temperature below 100°C. (2) Should the water in the cooling system actually boil, a certain amount of water may be thrown out of the cooling system due to the formation of steam, but providing the car is not driven for long periods with the water temperature 100°C, no harm will be done in fact, the car can be driven at least 50 miles with the thermometer showing 100° C. without any chance of damaging the engine. BONNET VENTILATION. Most RR. cars are fitted with bonnets having two shutters in the side, these should naturally be open in hot weather. However, if the car is to be used in hot climates where the average temperature is much above summer heat in Great Britain, bonnets with louvres are supplied which greatly reduce the chance of overheating. The only reason that these are not supplied as standard, is because the car functions better under ordinary English climatic conditions with the closed bonnet since this keeps the engine warm in winter. In cases where exceptionally warm weather is encountered, we recommend that the following precautions should be taken :- (1) Fan belts should be tightened up solid by the adjustment provided, bringing the spring choc-o-bloc. (2) The mixture control may with advantage be run two or three notches strong. | ||