Evening star., 1940-04-14

abuse should be prohibited: I'm
proper use Of controls, particularly
gearshift, clutch, brakes and choke.
Racing engine, especially when cold.
Overspeeding, particularly over rough
roads and across country. Improper
fabrication. Deferred maintenance,
including lack of proper servicing
and adjustments. Lack of systematic
inspection and followup Overload
ing and improper loading"
While in civil life almost any one
can qualify for a drivers permit, the
Army is much more choicy.. On the
subject Of the selection of drivers
it holds:
"An individual selected for train
ing as motor vehicle driver should
be dependable, alert, sober, steady
and ambitious and should have good
Judgment and mechanical sense. He
should be able to drive q motor
vehicle satisfactorily under military
conditions by day or night. He
should react quickly and properly
in given test situations. He should
be able to differentiate promptly
between red, green and amber
lights"
When morning comes-or at any
time of the day or night, for that
matter-the average motorist merely
hops into his car and is of like q
shot. Getting going is far different
in the Army. Its new Manual says:
"A motor vehicle is not ready for
service until certain items have been
checked. Before moving his vehicle
from its overnight parking position
the driver, under proper supervision,
makes this inspection and reports
the results to his chief of section
or other designated individual. The
driver is held strictly responsible
that all requirements are met"
There follows a staggering list Of
items which must be checked by
the soldier driver. These are the
inspections he must make before
starting the, engine: The surface
Ground or floo) under the vehicle
for evidence of leaks; the radiator
for proper amount of water and to
see that air passages are open; the
gasoline tank for proper amount Of
gasoline: the crankcase for iubri-
eating oil; the engine for loose parts
or electrical connections; pneumatic
tires, including spares, for proper
imitation; the horn and all lights for
proper functioning; front axle and
steering linkage; tools and neces-
sary. equipment; carried load for
condition and distribution; towed
load for condition, attachment to
prime mover, and brake connections;
all transmissions and power take
offs in neutral; drain valve In air
brake storage tanks closed.
The doughboy driver may now
start his engine. but when he has
done so he must Immediately make
these inspections: Fan operation,
engine for loose parts and unusual
noises, proper functioning Of al
dashboard instruments as engine
comes to operating temperature,
action Of windshield wiper.
When the vehicle moves he must
test the clutch, Transmission, steer.
ing gear and brakes.
But inspections are by no means
over then-in fact, they have hardly
begun. During operation, the man.
ual orders, "The driver should be
alert to detect malfunctioning of
the engine" ETC., and at the halt, no
matter how frequent, the military
driver must always continue giving
his gasoline steed a sternly critical
once over. The manual continues to
tell in great detail what he must
look for In each instance.
When there Is any possibility Of
doubt about the Army's instructions
being thoroughly understood, the
manual employs diagrams, tables.
graphs and photographs, making Il
. really attractive % well sxtremaiv
instructive volume.