New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-09-22
Some Simple Lit
oii11ts to Better
Your Driving

There are a few points about the
operation of the motor car which are
not generally known by any except the
most well-nformed drivers. They arc
even unknown to many drivers who
may be called experts through their
long familiarity with the handling of
the car. knowledge Of some of these
finer points in the operation of the car
will add to the enjoyment of driving
and give the driver greater confidence
points often disregarded by drivers are
mentioned here with the knowledge
that they will surely help the mex
perienced and may prove interesting to
the veteran.
When coasting down a long hill it is
decided advantage to throw the gear
lever into neutral position, thus allow
ing the car to coast without turning
the engine over. The same result can
be obtained by holding the clutch out,
but this imposes very undesirable wear
upon the clutch throwout, whether it
be rollers. ball bearings or fabricated
friction surfaces. The absolute quiet
ness of the car when running with the
transmission thus disconnected from
the engine is a Joy in itself. When
engaging the gears again at the bot
tom of the hill do not throw the clutch
out before shifting the control lever
into high speed, but slightly accelerate
the engine, keeping the foot off the
oil nh oil RI CT, 1.,
into the highspeed notch. If an at
tempt is made to reengage the high
speed by throwing out the clutch
| clashing Of gears will result, as the
clutch shaft will be practically station
airy, while the drive shaft will be re-
volving with considerable speed.
On Wet Streets Don't Dcclutch
DO not disengage the clutch when
braking the car on slippery streets.
The differential acts as an excellent
equalizer for the brakes if the weight
Of the engine is left on the drive shaft.
Prove for your own satisfaction the
great advantage Of keeping the clutch
engaged by throwing the brake on hard
on wet pavement with the clutch set
and the car moving rapidly and doing
the same thing with the clutch remain
ing in engagement. If it is necessary
because of the extreme slipperiness Of
the pavement to drive more slowly than
is possible on high speed do not throw
the clutch out of engagement and coast,
but drop Immediately into q lower
speed so that the equalizing effect of
the engine may be retained on the rear
wheels should it be necessary to make
quick stop.
Learn to use the spark control prop
erly in driving your car thorough
understanding of the operation of
gas engine is essential to the proper
handing OF the spark control and is
something that every driver should
acquire. If the spark is retarded lust
sufficiently when the engine shows
signs of laboring on a hill it will re-
lleve the strain on the engine and
increase its power at slow speed. When
accelerating the speed of the car the
engine will pick up more rapidly and
with less tendency to knock if the
spark is slightly retarded The spark
should be so adjusted that it can only
be advanced to its furthest point when
the engine. is running at very high
speed without much load on it, as, for
instance, when running fast on
smooth level stretch of road Study
out the functioning of the spark in
relation to the various conditions
NA'USA "AiNu tHc engine operates and
you Will gain a more intelligent idea
of its usage.
Use the Gears on Hills
You can go up hill faster and will
burn less gasolene in doing so by drop
ping into second speed rather than by
keeping in high if it is necessary to
keep the throttle wide open when the
engine runs slowly and cannot accel-
crate. The strain on the engine is
very excessive when it is being forced
up hill at slow speed with the throt-
tie wide open. 1t is an evidence of
poor driving to force an engine to labor
on high.
Do not think that you demonstrate
skill or driving ability by making
quick getaway. You will have visible
evidence of the inadvisability of this
when you see your tire bills. but there
is greater harm done, which you are
not so apt to see, in the rear end and
transmission of your car. Nine out of
ten stripped pinions ED rear axle keys
can be attributed to this foolish prac-
tice.-From motor Age"