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).
Magazine page featuring a readers' Q&A on driving and maintenance, with articles on electrical issues and company service awards.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 160\5\ scan0139 | |
| Date | 15th January 1941 | |
| The Motor 538 January 15, 1941. INFORMATION BUREAU RULES—Questions are answered by post. A stamped addressed envelope must be enclosed. Inquiries to the Editor, Information Bureau, “The Motor,” Bowling Green Lane, London, E.C.1. Descending Hills in Lower Gear Q.—It has been my habit, always, to motor downhill in a lower ratio rather than in top. Generally speaking, I use third gear. Now I am having trouble with the gears disengaging themselves when driving under load and I am wondering if my downhill practice has anything to do with it. Is the gearbox made to withstand this sort of use—namely, taking a reverse load? Actually, a similar trouble happened some time ago and it was suggested that it was due to misalignment. A service station had the car in for examination, checked it all up and then it happened a second time a little later on. It does not seem, to me, possible that misalignment could be the cause of the trouble a third time, as obviously, if it were originally so, the basic trouble in this case would have been put right during previous service jobs.—R.N. A.{Mr Adams}—Motoring down-hill in third gear repeatedly may have something to do with the trouble you have experienced. Except in the case of really severe hills, it is seldom found necessary by the majority of drivers to resort to this method, but rather to rely on their brakes, which are quite up to the work demanded, especially with the layout which is employed on all modern cars. Actually, we have not heard of any other case (with recent-type cars) of trouble similar to yours. There is an increased load thrown on the box as a result of your method of driving. We cannot see how it is possible for any misalignment trouble, which is what one might normally suspect to cause the trouble on the same set of pinions all the time, to exist without being discovered during the course of repair. When you have had the new parts replaced, why not experiment by driving in a different manner and relying more on your brakes for the hills. A Learner Driver’s Difficulties Q.—I have been having driving lessons under an experienced tutor, but, unfortunately, do not seem to be able to gain quite the confidence that is necessary to take a car out on my own. One of my troubles is that, with the cars I have driven so far, all are so designed that it is impossible for me to see the near-side wing from the driving seat. This gives the feeling that I cannot possibly judge the width of the car and feel confident that I shall be able to pass other vehicles in safety. Shall I, in the fullness of time, be able to sense the width of the car or is it desirable that one watches each wing tip the whole time when traffic is being negotiated? I have been advised by some people to “drive by the bonnet centre and never look to the wings.” Personally, I do not think I could ever do that. What is the general course of procedure in this case? On the question of parking, is there any regulation which prevents me from parking a car on the off side of the road facing oncoming traffic in the hours of daylight? I did this on a fairly important road—although not one which carries a great amount of traffic—and was told that it was quite the wrong thing to do.—S.W.M. A.{Mr Adams}—Your fear in connection with the difficulty of seeing the near-side wing will pass with experience. One soon senses the width of a car and learns to judge where to “place” it. It might help you if you temporarily arrange for a little mast to be attached to the extreme edge of the wing, about 8 ins. high, so that you can see it from where you are sitting. This can be easily clamped with either a spring clip or a bolt clip, without causing any harm to the paintwork. Actually, accessories of this type used to be marketed at one time, and they are still obtainable from accessory concerns such as S. Smith and Son (M.A.), Ltd., Great Portland Street, London, or from Wingard (M.A.), Ltd., of 81c, Church Road, Hendon, N.W.4. You must endeavour to overcome this nervous tension. You will be all right soon. Drive by the bonnet centre by all means so soon as you become accustomed to the width of the car. Actually, of course, you will look appreciatively ahead, beyond the bonnet tip. To cast your gaze too close ahead of the car becomes very tiring. The whole thing will soon become automatic. Obviously, you want to look to your wings if you are in a very confined space, but where there is plenty of room to spare, give any other vehicle a fairly wide berth until you have settled down to things. You can certainly stop your car on the off side on a main road if there is not a great amount of traffic about. If it is likely to cause an obstruction then, of course, it is wisest to park on a side turning. Do not forget that the immobilization regulation still holds good and all cars when parked by day must have the doors locked; at night, the engine must be immobilized. Storing the Car Q.—I have found it necessary to put my car away for the duration of the war. I have carried out all the usual operations such as jacking-up, removing the petrol, draining out the water, covering the body with a dust sheet and plated parts with a thin film of vaseline. What I am not sure about is the procedure necessary in connection with the engine lubricant. Should this be drained out, or do you advise leaving some oil in the sump?—I.S. A.{Mr Adams}—If the oil which has been left in the car has been used for a long time and is somewhat old and contaminated with acid deposits from combustion, it would be as well to draw this out and refill with clean oil. It is not essential, but it is a good thing to do. Take out the sparking plugs and inject into the cylinders a quantity of graphited upper cylinder lubricant or running-in compound, which will give a protective surface to the cylinder walls. When you have squirted the stuff in, turn the engine over slowly by hand to ensure distribution. Damping Their Enthusiasm DAMP conditions of the winter months readily find out weak spots in the electrical equipment. Plugs, high-tension leads,—connections, etc., should all be examined and where there is any doubt at all about their efficiency it is desirable that they should be renewed unless service attention can put them right. The high-tension leads are of considerably greater importance than many motorists seem to appreciate. The fact that there is a wire from the plug to the distributor seems to satisfy the average owner and he takes it for granted that it is sufficient to meet requirements. But not so. Weakness in insulation will cause a breakdown of the current supply. Short-circuiting will take place between that weak point and any near-by adjacent metal part. Misfiring follows and upon its heels comes poor running and increased petrol consumption. Dampness will accentuate weak insulation trouble. Difficult starting can be traced to dampness. Condensation may take place inside the distributor head; if the car stands for a little while it can take place owing to a drop in temperature within the cylinders themselves, the moisture settling on the plug points. In these circumstances starting to be taken out and dried. A wider gap may cure this. Dampness can lead to short-circuiting in the lighting equipment and here also it is essential to check up on the general condition of the insulation of the wiring where it is exposed. Breaks are often found around the wings or just behind the lamps where a length of wire may rub against an adjoining metal component. The coil is one of those components which must be in good condition if the greatest efficiency is to be obtained from the power unit as a whole. It is a good insurance policy to have the coil tested at an electrical service station, and if there is a drop in its output the expenditure necessary for a replacement unit is well worth while. Instruction Books Wanted THE following instruction books are wanted by readers of The Motor:— “G.H.C.” (1931 Singer Eight Junior); “S.H.” (D.K.W); “A.W.R.” (1933 Austin Ten). The Years Roll By TO mark the fact that they have been in the company’s service for 25 years, 710 employees of Rolls-Royce, Ltd., Derby, are to receive certificates signed by Lord Herbert Scott, the chairman of directors. It was hoped to make a formal presentation at a social event, but war-time conditions have prevented this, so the certificates will be handed to the men while they are at work. Each certificate is framed and bears the name of the recipient and the words: “The Board of Directors of Rolls-Royce, Ltd. present this as a mark of appreciation and good will to ———— in recognition of 25 years’ faithful and efficient service in the Company.” The certificate bears a reproduction of the works as they were in 1908 and as they are to-day; there are also photographs of the Hon. C. S. Rolls and Sir Henry Royce. | ||