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).
Guide to winter motoring necessities, focusing on fog lamps, cold-weather starting, and mechanical efficiency during wartime.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 160\5\ scan0115 | |
| Date | 4th December 1940 | |
| December 4, 1940. 389 The Motor Contd. Winter Motoring Necessities Fog Lamps in War-time DRIVING at night nowadays is difficult at any time, and, but for the fact that special dispensation is given in respect of car lighting, it would be virtually impossible to get along in fog. Realizing the difficulties, the Ministry of Home Security have granted permission for a fog lamp or an unmasked head lamp to be used in fog. This facility greatly assists motorists and virtually puts them back where they were before the war under these conditions. It has always been difficult for the majority of drivers to make much headway under such weather conditions. It is important to remember, however, that the unmasked lamp must only be used where fog conditions really merit it. Furthermore, if at the discretion of policemen or air raid wardens it is considered desirable that that light be extinguished, it must be put out forthwith. There is a certain technique in fog driving. In the first place, do not rush. Next, if you get caught in a convoy, remember that the speed of the first man is governed by the density of the fog. Few drivers may be clever enough to overtake; go on ahead and lead the convoy at a greater speed. The majority, however, may find that if they endeavour to pass and take the lead they are more confused than the unfortunate driver who is already in the van, and, instead of helping, slow the whole procession down appreciably. Where there are tramlines, follow them, if they are on your main road. Keep fairly close to the kerb. Direct your fog or head lamp so that the beam is cast to the kerb a short distance ahead of the car. The beam must be thrown downwards, otherwise a blanket of reflected light is cast ahead of you through which it is impossible to see. Make sure that your rear light is functioning. Drive close to the near side; do not endeavour to overtake a long string of traffic unless you know the road well. Other vehicle drivers may be overtaking in the opposite direction. Well-known land marks which loom out of the fog will help you to locate your position. It will pay to renew sparking plugs which have seen considerable service. Starting will be easier and economy improved. Cold-weather Starting DIFFICULT starting in cold weather may arise from carburation, and if this is the case it is generally caused by wear in the carburetter. On the face of it one may think that there is virtually nothing in the carburetter which can wear, but this is wrong; the butterfly valve spindle, the point where the butterfly contacts with the choke tube, and the jets themselves are all prone to the ravages of use and time. In the case of the Solex, for example, experience has shown that with an engine and the carburetter in good order, starting from cold is immediate. If after 20,000 miles or more of running cold starting is hesitant, or in extremely cold weather really difficult, this almost certainly indicates wear in the carburetter, and replacement by a reconditioned unit which Solex, Ltd., offer at low prices will not only overcome the difficulties, but will prove beneficial in other ways, particularly in the question of m.p.g. There is no reason at all why an engine in good mechanical order should not be an easy cold starter, and just as economical as it was when new if advantage be taken of the replacement facilities offered by the manufacturers. The carburetter is one of those components that are taken for granted and so invariably assumed to be in order, that even when a major overhaul is carried out little attention is given to it and the whole unit overlooked. The cost of a reconditioned unit is only a matter of £2 or £3. Mechanical Efficiency STARTING difficulties can be accentuated by wear in the engine; worn pistons and piston rings, for example, can give rise to troubles in warm weather, but in cold weather they are increased and might lead to the battery being run right down in vain efforts to get the car going. This wear is indicated also by increased petrol consumption, heavier demands upon the oil and a general drop in performance. Without going to the expense of a major overhaul conditions can be greatly improved by the fitting of special oil-retainer piston rings, such as the Wellworthy Simplex. Image Captions: SMITH, with all-chrome finish £2-7-6. All-black £2. Junior model £1-4-9. (S. Smith and Sons (M.A.), Ltd., London, N.W.2.) (Below) NOTEK, complete with special black-out mask, 72/6. Notek Electric Co., Ltd., 1, Little Grange, Crofton Avenue, Orpington, Kent.) MASKED LIGHT FOG DRIVING FLAP DESMO Super road lamp, from 50/-. Kerblite, from 21/-. (Desmo, Ltd., Stafford Street, Birmingham.) LUCAS FT67, a wide beam fog and road lamp, 73/6. The smaller FT57 costs 52/6, and the FT37, 42/-. (Joseph Lucas, Ltd., Birmingham.) (Left) DELCO FLAT-RAY lamp, a cut-off top wide beam lamp, 72s. 6d. (Delco Remy and Hyatt, Ltd., 111, Grosvenor Road, London, S.W.1.) SAFETY on slippery surfaces is enhanced if tyres be Pneugrippa'd, plant for which is found in many garages throughout the country. The cost is small. a19 | ||