New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-21
By ALFRED BARTSCH.

DERHAPS the best advice for be-
i ginner left TO his own resources
and out on his first free for all" ride
is TO select a circular course OF
short radius with home as the starting
and finishing point. This one cause OF
nervousness eliminated, the new re-
cruit can be assured that any break
down or accident will find him fairly
near home and the expense Of pos
sible return via tow rope will be re-
duced. In addition, he will in all prob
ability have the advantage Of being
acquainted with the road being ira
versed, and that is quite factor when
making the first attempt to 90 IT alone.
Let il be presumed that the motor
car agent has put you through the
usual education provided and that you
have become accustomed 10 the drivers
seat and to the position of the levers.
pedals. etc, and that you can steer
fairly straight course with one hand
on the steering wheel and the other
on the gear shaft lever or emergency
brake. What next is TO be done?
One of the chief things 20 do when
the new car comes is to study il thor
oughly. Accessories and their func
tions should be studied carefully by
aid of the instruction books supplied.
Look over every external bolt and nut
so as to be acquainted with them, for
the time will eventually come when
you will be called upon to have
really intimate acquaintance with these
members of your car.
Do not let this Introductory meeting
be the last. but make a practice OF
scrutnizing all important nuts and
bolts after each tour and weekend
drive. and especially look after the
bolts which support or secure the at
tached parts of the mechanism, such
as the muller. carburetor. feed pipes,
pumps, not overlooking for a moment
those Of the steering arrangement as
well as those which arc included in the
braking system.
Strain the Gas" and Water.
Il is impossible to include here all
points TO be considered. However, let
us first start with the precautions that
ordinarily come up for consideration.
Always use a strainer when filling the
gasolene tank: this so that no dirt will
be permitted to clog the feed pipe or
carburetor.
Next, fiji the radiator. and here also
be sure TO strain the water in order that
dirt particles will not get into the cool
ing system and interfere with proper
functioning. Also be quite sure that
the tap at the bottom of the radiator
is always turned Off
See that all grease cups are filled
and kept filled, and that the gear box
is plentifully supplied with the proper
lubricant. A few ounces of good grarh-
itc will be found beneficial in most
cases. Look over the system OF lubrl-
cation in general; in a new car this IS
especially important. as fabrication
should be free and plentiful. with due
consideration for the trouble induced
by excessive supply TO the cylinders
and consequent fouling OF the plug
electrodes. Remember. too, that little
over-lubrication when the car is new is
more advisable than under fabrication.
If at first there is difficulty IN start
ing and the engine seems stiit when
being turned over by the starter in
iect a little kerosene or gasolene INTO
each cylinder through the pet cocks.
This will free the piston rings, and IN
cases where gasolene IS used will facili-
tate the obtaining of the first power
stroke.
How TO Crank" without Danger.
If il should be found that the bat
terv is run down and recourse to the
starting crank is necessary, proper pre-
caution should be taken not to be IN
jured by kick.
First sec that the spark lever is set
in the full retard position, next re
lease the COMPRESSION, If the engine Is
a large one. by opening the compression
cocks or by any other method avail
able, then insert the starting handle
and turn il in a clockwise direction
until the resistance of the compression
is felt II this occurs as the handle IS
going downward, turn the handle back
half a turn or so. and then try again
until the compression is felt as the
handle $ beginning TO come upward.
The crank handle should be held with
the fingers Of the right hand under II
and the thumb not encircling the
handle. When the compression IS teit
give a strong and continuing pull up
ward. when. il all is IN order, the en-
CINE viii start.
If the ignition is too far advanced
the explosion would drive the handle
backward: if you were pushing the
handle down at the time the chances
are YOUR wrist would be broken or so
severely sprained as TO be useless for
some time TO come. But II you are
pulling up the back fire simply unbends
the fingers, and though you may be. a
bit scared, you are not likely TO De
hurt.
If the engine will not start after a
few attempts. the ignition may be
slightly advanced and different MKT
ures may be tried for the gas. II this
will not do. try further injections OF
gasolene into the cylinders. Test the
ignition to see that it is sparkling prop
erly. Sometimes it will be found that
the valves having become dirty do not
move freely, and il they remain open
when they ought to close the engine
cannot work.
How Best 10 Start.
As soon as the engine starts. the
ignition may be advanced somewhat,