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Due to tremendous production schedules and rapid advancement, the automotive industry is characterized by its effort to learn the answers to engineering research-problems with utmost dispatch, but the procedure is not without attendant risks. Costly errors have resulted from experimental work improperly planned and executed, from conclusions too quickly drawn and from unjustified interpretation of observed indications. Cut-and-try procedure is resorted to in many instances after hastily applied research methods have failed and, often, the apparently longer course involving systematic research would, in fact, have been fruitful of more prompt and more satisfactory results at a lower net cost. As originally presented, the paper was accompanied by a demonstration of instruments and apparatus especially adapted to automotive-research problems.

Because the analyses of many samples of new and of diluted crankcase oil had not been completed by the Bureau of Standards when the results of the winter tests were reported at the 1923 Semi-Annual Meeting, the report on these dilution data was delayed. This information has since become available and forms the basis of this paper. After reviewing the results of the winter tests as already reported, stating the names of the cooperating companies and tabulating the cars and the mileage distribution in the test runs, the author discusses the results of the analyses of fresh crankcase oils and the dilution results before making a comparison between those obtained under summer and under winter conditions. Dilution versus mileage, the subjects of dilution, viscosity and specific gravity and the distillation of composite oil samples are presented next, followed by comments upon crankcase-oil consumption. Numerous tables and charts are included, and a summary of the results is made.

The ascertaining of the factors that determine the riding-qualities of automobiles and the methods employed in studying these factors and the lines along which research should be directed in an effort to improve riding conditions are proposed in this paper with a view to encouraging further helpful discussion of the riding-qualities problem. Relative to the first of these questions, the factors treated in this paper comprise (a) road characteristics with respect to the vehicle; (b) the vertical, the longitudinal and the transverse motions of an automobile, as well as small vibrations or oscillations of high frequency; (c) vehicle characteristics, such as springing, accessory control, tires, wheels, chassis frame, seating, body, engine and transmission, steering-gear, brakes, heating, ventilating and lighting.

Since the road-service tests of the four special fuels supplied by the Research Department, made under 1922 summer-weather conditions, gave results that were deemed inconclusive, arrangements were made for a repetition of both series of tests under the winter-weather conditions of 1923 to determine whether the relative fuel mileages for different fuels are dependent on the temperature at which car operation is conducted. The paper is a report upon the results obtained. Four fuels that bore a relation to those used in the 1922 summer tests were specified and means adopted whereby knowledge of their quality was concealed from the drivers, special emphasis being placed on crankcase-oil dilution and on the performance as reflected by the drivers' comments.