New Oil Saves Fuel Costs •
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TESTS carried . out by Birmingham Transport Department with a new lubricant, for worm-driven rear axles could result in a reduction of nearly 06.000 in the undertaking's annual fuel bill. The oil, Shell Dentax W, was tested in 43 buses for 16 months. No oil changes were made during this period although the vehicles covered a total of lim. miles.
Fuel consumption was checked carefully and the m.p.g. figures recorded were set against those of a similar group of buses using normal lubricant. These vehicles were operating from the same garage. The experimental vehicles showed an average m.p.g. improvement of 1.6 per cent.
This is stated to be because of the low co-efficient of friction of the oil, particularly in cold weather. The department intend to use Dentax W in all their vehicles.
The new oil became generally available from Shell-Mex and B.P., Ltd., last week. It is not a mineral product but synthetic, being derived from materials originating from petroleum.
An additional advantage of the lubricant is that the period between oil changes can be extended to three or four times that of conventional oils. This is made possible by a special oxidation inhibitor.
WHITEHAVEN BUSINESS SOLD
THE old-established haulage business. including garage and offices, of Messrs. J. Rogers and Sons. Preston Street, Whitehaven, was offered for sale last week by auction as a going concern. When bidding failed to reach the reserve figure, the goodwill and vehicles, six of which have a B licence, were bought by Messrs. Edward Fye and Sons, Whitehaven, for £2.950. The sale of the remainder of the property was withdrawn.
B.M.C. PLACE SCOTS CONTRACT
ACONTRACT valued at 000,000 for the second stage of the new factory of the British Motor Corporation at Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland, has been placed. The plant is expected to be in production next year.