The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1916-03-02
AFEW RULES FOR THE
AUTOMOBILE DRIVER

When the ponies are Gathering in on
the home stretch, all other things be-
ing equal, it is the headiest rider that
brings his mount first under the wire.
Just as a Kentucky filly responds
splendidly to the rein of skilled driv-
er, so does the thoroughbred motor
show it's mettle to the best advantage
under the tutelage of the good form"
driver.
Half the pleasure in motoring comes
with learning to manipulate your car
with consummate ease and grace.
Correct form in driving means mini
mum strain on car mechanism and in
cidentally minimum strain on the
pocket-book. Velvety stops and starts
prevent unusual strain on the motor,
clutch, transmission, axels and tires.
They also cut down the consumption
of gasoline and oil. A we'll made mo-
tor, like Swiss watch, is sensitive
thing. 1t resents abuse but responds
willingly, capably to gentle handling.
Starting an automobile is an art.
Simple though it may be, nevertheless
there are hordes of drivers who never
acquire it. The master driver aims to
create a steady pull on the driving
mechanism from the moment he slips
into first speed until the car is under
full Roadway. To-wit, homely form
ula for starting which may be taken
after the entree of gear shifting:
Learn to accelerate simultaneously
with letting in the clutch. The me-
chanical art of gear shifting can be
learned in five minutes.
AS soon as you have the car in high
speed, assume natural, comfortable
position. Avoid strained, high-ten-
sion grip on the wheel. Driving car
is not tiresome if one sits in an easy
upright position. The driver who
slouches in his seat must be constant
ly shifting. He cannot apply the
brakes without sitting erect. He must
change his position to shift gears.
It is quite as essential to know how
to stop the car quickly and smoothly
as it is to know how to start it. The
operation Of braking is one of the
most important in driving.
The highways are strewn with the
wrecks of cars whose drivers wor- !
shipped too often at the shrine of
Speed. When the crisis comes the
green driver is apt to forget the coun-
sells of his glib instructor and another
accident is chalked up to the toll of
II didn't know" If you must test the
spirit of your car, wait until you are
perfectly sure of your ability to drive,
until you would be willing to be the
man in the tonneau.
You have heard many an enthusiast
tic owner boast that his car would
take such and such a hill on "high."
Doubtless it will, but at the same time
he is putting an unnecessary strain on
his motor when he forces such a per-
formance. The intermediate speed is
placed on the car to use 1t is a mis-
take to allow the motor to labor.
Second speed is good accident pre-
tentative when threading the mazes
of city traffic. The car is easily stop
ped gently without jamming the
brakes.
Only an amateur will allow his
motor to race unnecessarily. Motor
racing consumes gasoline in appalling
draughts and is also hard on the en-
CINE. After you have learned the A,
B, Cs of car manipulation, adopt the
accelerator instead of the throttle
lever on the steering wheel.
The boyle that has collected more
life insurance and relegated more cars
to the scrap heap than any other de-
stroyer of the genus automobile is
Skidding. Chains are the best anti