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).
Use of thinner oil in the Bentley Instruction Book to improve cold starting performance.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 139\3\ scan0066 | |
| Date | 14th January 1935 | |
| L995 W/S - C. c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}8/KW.14.1.35. Bentley Instruction Book - Oil. Replying to C15/C. 8.1.35, there is no doubt that the reason we have not had more starting up complaints on the Bentley is that the winter so far has been very mild. Since it has been in production we have realised that the Bentley is worse for starting under cold conditions than any American car, and for this reason the geared starter motor has been designed. We have found at Derby on experimental cars that thinner oil makes an appreciable difference; Hancock has found no detriment in France. On the whole, therefore, we would recommend that you do circulate this information to owners. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||