Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-19
CAR OWNERS ARE TOLD HOW
TO BEST OPERATE MACHINE
Method of Starting, Use of Clutch and
How to Start Described by
Adviser.
Adviser.

position. Again engage the clutch grad-
ually and press the foot on the gas.
The automobile is now in going
situation.
To back an automobile, disengage the
clutch, change the gear shift lever in
reverse position. engage the clutch and
step on the gas slightly. Be sure that
instructions are received, before doing
this. as to what positions to shift the
gear lever into for accomplishing Diff
ferent purposes. When planning to
back an automobile up, it is necessary
that the process start when the car is
standing STILL and never should this be
undertaken when the car is going for
ward. On the other hand, when an aiI-
tomobile is moving backward the car
must be brought to full stop before
shifting into a going-forward speed.
Failure strictly to observe this rule may
bring undue strain on the transmission
gear teeth.
The next matter for the new driver to
learn has to do with the control of the
automobiles speed. Most operators
prefer to use the foot pedal to control
the speed of a motor car. After some
practice the driver will find his foot
adjusting itself almost automatically to
different speeds as they are desired.
1t is important to learn to make changes
in speed gradually. From standpoint
OF economy, 1t is preferable to have
constant application of power rather
than intermittent pressure on the &C
celerator pedal. Such practice is not
only wasteful of fuel, but it places a
greater strain on both the engine and
the running gear than is desirable or
necessary.
The average new driver has very little
difHculty in travelling on a COMPARE
lively level highway The situation is
somewhat different when it comes to
climbing hills. On approaching a hill
it Is desirable to gain some momentum.
so as to assist in overcoming the grade.
Such practice will even up the power
required of the engine. Whenever
climbing hill or going through bad
country roads where there is heavy mud
or deep sand the driver should shift
from high speed back into second if the
car slows down below or 10 miles per
hour.
Stopping Requires Practice.
| Stopping car at a certain point re-
quires little practice When one
wishes to stop an automobile at def
mite point he should prepare some dis
lance before reaching his objective by
closing the throttle and removing his
foot from the accelerator pedal. This
will allow the engine to act as a par
tial brake. When close to the stop
ping point desired, throw out the clutch
and apply the foot brake gradually.
| When the car has been brought to
standstill, set the emergency brake,
sni1t the gear into neutral position, then
remove foot from the clutch pedal
When 1t comes to driving down a
long hill, the engine may be used as a
brake by simply closing the throttle and
removing the foot from the accelerator
! pedal. This will do for the hills of slight
incline. If the hill is particularly steep,
1t Is better to reduce the speed of the
car at the top of the incline and shift
into second speed. In this way about
double the braking effectiveness is Sc
cured. practice INDUCED in by many
is to use the engine for braking pur-
poses with the ignition turned off. This
is poor business. Whenever the engine
is turning over, gasoline Is being drawn
| into the combustion chamber. Unless
this gasoline is ignited it will find its
way past the pistons into the oil sup
ply and the result will be crank case
dilution.
is problem sometimes faced by new
drivers, as these machines, being oper-
ated by people not yet thoroughly ia
miliar with them, are likely to stall at
most inopportune times. With an au-
/ tomobile standing on hill with the
parking brake set and the gear shift
lever in neutral position, one of two
methods can be pursued in starting the
| car. The first method is to shift into
first speed position, give the engine
plenty of gas by means of the foot
| pedal, gradually release the parking or
| emergency brake, while at the same
time allowing the clutch to engage
slowly Another method is to hold the
car with the foot brake, releasing the
parking brake, shift into first speed. ac-
celerate the engine with the hand
throttle control on the dash or wherever
it is located and gradually release the
pressure on both the clutch and the
brake pedal.