HANDLING CARS.

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 289, 7 December 1936, Page 5

HANDLING CARS.

DISCUSSION ON METHODS.

Motoring to-day calls for greater skill and better judgment than it did a few years ago. Thousands more c ( ars are in service, with thousands of new drivers in charge of them. It is in traffic that the driver must be most alert to avoid doing anything to result in obstruction, or to cause any other driver to do tho same. To prevent damaging the mechanism of the car, the safest methods of handling tho controls and of stopping and starting, reversing and turning should be well understood. Many problems present themselves, and while most normally balanced peoplo manage to deal with them more or less satisfactorily as they come, there is upon reflection often some doubt whether they did the right thing. Should that clutch have been engaged, or should that brake have been used ? Was it necessary to change down, or should the engine have been called upon to pull in top gear that time 7

Driving in traffic is not difficult providing you do the right thing at the right time, an obvious sort of statement true enough, but at the same time one that seems to be doubly true of the art under discussion. One needs to develop the faculty of sizing up situations instantly, sinco the brakes and steering are entirely dependent upon the physical effort of the driver. Individual Habits The actual procedure of starting and stopping an orthodox car is soon learned, but it is found that particular cars have particular habits with which it is necessary for the driver to acquaint himself. One car may have a lower geered steering system than another, for instance; whereas one full turn of the hand wheel sufficed to turn a certain corner, the second car may call for twice as much for the same turn. Clutches require longer or shorter pauses, gears shift faster or slower, and so on.

As far as starting the engine is concerned, it is not proposed to go fully into the matter here, other than perhaps to remark that the gear lever must be in neutral position. With a preselector car, select neutral and press the pedal down once, just as a precaution even if everything looks alright. Tho practice of actuating the startei; a second or two before switching on, besides being helpful to obtain easy starting, ensures against causing the motor to “kick off’’ with a gear engaged, rather a dangerous happening. Special care must be exercised to guard against this in the case of a Startix equipped car. Another good plan is to have the handbrake on when starting the motor. Know Beforehand Before going on tho road the beginner, or in fact any motorist, should be fully aware of the strict left hand •ule of the road, and the various signals must be understood and used at all times. Know whom to give way to, and know when you have the right of way. Discretion is necessary here, however, since occasions arise when a speeding car driver will try to pass in front of you, and although you have the legal right to cross first, it will be much safer to give way and let him go. Much difference of opinion exists as to the correct method of starting off. Two different methods may -both work quite satisfactorily, but one may be harmful to the working parts. Now it is always best to start off in low gear, because the engine and clutch will bo subjected to less stress than in second or top. Where four forward speeds are available in the gearbox, it may be stated generally that starting in second gear on level ground will be a safe practice. Where the car is fully laden, or if thero is any doubt whether the road is level, be sure to start in low gear. Some makers deliberately lock off the first speed, because it is lower geared than the average three speed car’s first gear. On Down Grafle. When a car is to start off on a down grade, second gear may be used without hesitation, taking care to engage the clutch gently and accelerating the motor as the car gathers way. The essential requirement is to avoid shock, excessive clutch slip and mechanical strain.

Some points relative to the correct method of handling the gears, brakes and clutch in a traffic hold-up might be mentioned here! Motorists are all aware of their legal obligation to use the stop signal clearly, and this soon becomes instinctive and habitual. It is not difficult to form an estimate of the probable duration of the stop. If no more than a few seconds, we advise engaging neutral and releasing the clutch pedal; the foot is rested more frequently, and wear of the clutch mechanism will be less. Both are important considerations when the car is used more in heavy traffic than otherwise. Holding Out the Clutch.

There is no real reason to condemn tho practice of engaging the low or starting gear and holding the clutch out, but wear and possibly heating of tho clutch shaft spigot, bearing and perhaps the extractor thrust bearing will bo greater if this method is practised hour by hour in stopping and starting work. When held up temporarily on a decline, it is also best and less fatiguing to engage neutral, and release

the clutch pedal, holding the car with hand or foot brake.

Starting on an incline presents a more difficult set of conditions; the force of gravity is against you, whereas it' was in your favour when on the decline. There are various methods, some of which one would hardly use unless driving “the other fellow’s” car. The practice of holding the car with foot brake and clutch pedals down and low gear engaged, then quickly engaging the clutch and accelerating . the engine, is definitely harmful to the clutch facings and drive mechanism unless done very expertly. It is not much trouble to hold the car with the handbrake, leaving the footbrake alone; when ready to proceed, select low gear, engage the clutch and accelerate, simultaneously releasing tho handbrake. A little practice only is necessary to obtain just the right balance to produce a steady uphill start. “ Floating. ” Another method is to float the car with the clutch and accelerator, ignoring the brakes. Actually the clutch , is allowed to slip, and with a little engine speed roll-back is checked. This is a lazy man’s idea of things; it works quite well and saves time and effort, but there mast be excessive heat and undue wear of the clutch parts if indulged in for any length of time, and it could not be classed as a good practice. Good drivers and considerate owners use the handbrake method when starting a car on an incline. Cornering in traffic needs good judgment and caut-’on. Be sure that there is no car coming up fast behind you. and always make the right turn signal clearly when turning right. At many city intersections, drivers must pull right over to the left and await the policeman’s signal to turn right. Drivers can help him by pilling over to the left without waiting his order to do so,.thereby making things that much easier for a busy man, and he will appreciate it-