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13th February 1942
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

THERE have been many I rumours as to German petrol not being able to stand up to extreme cold, and eorreboration . of these comes from " Soviet War .News." It appears that during a temperature of many degrees below zero a barrel of synthetic petrol was found on an aerodrome. This contained an oily liquid in which floated grains of ice, and the assumption is that.the physico-chemical properties of German synthetic petrol are changed under such conditions and render it practically unfit for use. This is a particularly interesting point, which reveals an unusual weakness in German technique, for the Russian petrol is apparently little affected.

German Synthetic Petrol Affected by Severe Cold . . .

Prevent Radiator A N interesting point raised Freezing When 1-1. by the R.A.C. concerns Thermostat is Fitted . difficulties with the cooling

system which may be experienced during excessively cold weather where the

temperature is controlled by a thermostat. This device short-circuits the circulation, and if the vehicle runs in a cold head wind, may cause the water in the lower part of the radiator to freeze, with resultant danger to cylinders and, perhaps, the radiator. To overcome this, it is suggested that when the weather

is really cold, the engine should first be run with the vehicle stationary, the radiator being covered by a rug or muff. Slow running is dangerous, as the oil pressure may be kept too low, whereas a fair speed keeps this high. Before driving out, it should be verified that the water has begun to circulate throughout by placing the hand on the upper part of the header tank. If this be reasonably warm, driving is safe. Reliance should not be placed upon the warmth of an ornamental radiator shell, which may be so separated from the header tank as to be little affected by the warmth_

THE question of whether an employer or a driver shall decide when a vehicle is roadworthy seems to have been involved in a recent case at Salford. The driver concerned declined to take a load to Wales and towns en route because he apparently distrusted the brakes, and the vehicle required a tow to get it going. The stipendiary's decision went against the driver. It is an intriguing position, in which both sides can be appreciated—the employee desiring to be sure of personal safety, and the employer wishing to get foodstuffs tO their destination.

Who Should Decide Whether Vehicle Be Roadworthy ? . .

NOWING of the good Work which has been, and is being, performed by the Motor and Cycle Trades Benevolent Fund, it is amazing that an industry as large as that with which we are associated gives such meagre backing to. this most commendable institution. Naturally, during the war there has been a sharp decline in the membership, but, taking the London Centre as an example, this has on its books fewer than 800 asso_dates, who pay an annual subscription of 5s. or 10s. each, and under 450 members paying £1 is. Yet this area, which covers the Counties of London (12 miles south of Charing Cross), Middlesex, Essex, and Hertford as far north as Welwyn, includes an enormous number, of people engaged in the motor and allied trades. Applications for membership should be made to the general secretary of the organization, Mr. A. H. Dawson, 204-6, Great Portland Street; London., W.1.

The Trade Should Encourage Its Benevo lent Fund .

LACK of punch, a noted pro

tious?

ducer gas characteristic, seems to be a complaint that is spreading to certain persons associated .with this fuel in official quarters. In a recent Pailianentary proceeding, Mr. Price asked the Secretary for Mines what steps were being taken to increase the number of producer-gas vehicles—a very straightfot ward question. The reply he got, however, can hardly be so described. It came, incidentally, not from the Minister, but from Mr. Whiteley, who referred vaguely to the availability of fuel, to the Henley Committee and to the " considerable progress" it had made, finally assuring Mr. Price that the matter was receiving "close attention." At this, Sir Stanley Reed chipped in, commenting that the matter had now been receiving "close attention" for two years and six months, and that he knew of no "appreciable progress" that had been made.


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