The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-04-02

nigh speed II everything were
clear must be made on second or
hrst speed. And here is where
some drivers, even experienced
ones, have trouble. II a person
waits until the automobile has AL
most come to standstill before
shifting to lower gear, the car,
because of a hill. quickly loses
what little momentum it has and
comes to a dead stop when the
shift is made. Consequently, when
the clutch is engaged. the engine
stalls.
"A driver recently asked me what
TO do on finding the engine of his
machine stalled when half way No
steep hill. suggested two
methods. 1t is necessary that the
brakes be in such condition that
they will hold the car. II the
brakes do not hold well, il Is best
TO allow the car to back as slowly
as possible against the curb, or II
there is no curb turn 1t crosswjse
with the road. II the emergency
brake viii hold the car on the hill
all that is necessary is to set the
brake. put the gears in neutral.
step on the starter button and
when the engine Is running re-
tease the clutch, engage the gear,
press the accelerator until the en-
CINE Is racing freely and stimuli
taneously ease off the emergency
brake with the right hand as the
clutch is engaged with the left
foot.
This Is withou: question
| rather delicate operation. AS the
engine should not be raced too Sc
verely and yet it must be kept at.
considerable speed or it Will prob
ably stall again. Also the clutch
must not be allowed to engage be-
fore the brake is released nor must
the brake be released until the
clutch has started to engage. A
| graceful accomplishment Of this
operation comes only with consid-
cradle practice. 1t should be prac-
ticed on medium grades. bringing
the car to standstili and going
through the operation until the
driver has acquired confidence.
Then when the emergency arises
more certain of his movements.
There is one point which makes
largely for the success of this op-
Grafton that most drivers do not
seem to appreciate: that is. there is
medium point or space between the
points where the clutch Is fully en-
gagged and fully diseuyaged where
the clutch may be slipped. and al
| ha
does not move it at full speed. In
the emergency described this should
De Kept in mind and the clutch
partially engaged so that the en-
CINE is pulling slightly before the
brake is fully released. This Is the
thing which should be tried for
when practicing on the lesser
grades.
| The other method of startins
from a standstill on a hill is to re-
lease the clutch, place the gear in.
nrst speed. apply the foot brake,
release the emergency brake. after
which simultaneously engage the
clutch and release the foot brake
\ while the engine is accelerated
with the hand throttle.
When car is stalled on a side
hill 1t may be possible. IL there are
two or more occupants, for one OF
them to get out and put a large
stone back of a rear wheel which
VIII hold the vehicle, even though
the brakes are released, in such a
case the driver can act just as he
starts the machine when he took
1t out of the garage. Some people
carry brick along as part of the
cars equipment for use in such ar
emergency. Since there are ele-
ments of danger in such a situa-
ton 1t Is desirable that all extra
passengers get out of the car. This
has an added advantage of tighten
ing the load.
TT is always desirable to notice
when climbing a hill which Is the
high side of 1t. In case the en-
CINE stalls and the brakes will not
hold and IT is NECESSARY to back to
one side or the other, it may make
tremendous difference toward
which side one backs. There is
usually a high side to a hill and
II becomes a habit for the EXPERT
enced driver to observe this as he
goes along: Quick action is often
important in such case and the
man who has made a mental note
OF the side of the hill twill often
| antOmafinaII.-