MOTORING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 21 April 1934, Page 3

MOTORING

GEAR-CHANGING DESIRABLE SPEEDS AVOIDING OE “RACING” Skilful handling of the gears is not simply a- question of the ability to make a silent change and to avoid jarring the transmission. In fact, with the more modern types of gearbox even a novice can soon learn how to make a completely quiet change, either “up” or “down.” Skill is required in determining the road speed at which it is proper and desirable to make a change. Until the driver has had considerable deliberate practice he will find that it is best to use the speedometer as a. guide. In the case of new cars the aim should be to avoid wide opening of the throttle. Too great a load should not be thrown upon the engine, and it is wise to change down earlier than is necessary with an engine, which has been well “run-in.” But taking the case of a. vehicle which lias covered 1000 or more miles, the aim should still be to prevent “over-revving.” There are some excellent drivers who, because of the excellent power output of their cars, often scorn to start in low gear and use"second, but although that practice might not cause any great and appreciable damage to the transmission, it is best to minimise starting strains by employing low gear at first, if only for a few seconds. It is a mistake to speed up almost to peak revolutions in an intermediate ratio before changing “up,” for but little benefit is derived in the way of faster get-away, and high revolutions tend So hasten wear of the cylinders and bearings. An exception to that rule is a trallic emergency in which quick acI'cleration might offer a. better chance of averting an accident- than sudden braking. It is a good plan to learn by experiment the road speeds at which the engine of one’s car peaks in the various gears, and then to resolve that normally one will not drive the engine above, say, two-thirds of such rates before changing to a higher gear. For instance, if the “flat out” speed in low is 15 miles per hour, second gear should be meshed at 10 miles per hour, and so on.

Now that so maiiy models have “silent” third and second ratios, drivers are more ready to race their engines and are not deterred bv that high-pitched hum which formerly gave warning that one was driving the engine too liard. The acceleration pedal can be regarded as a. guide, on the basis that only exceptionally, no matter what gear is meshed, should it be in the fully open position.

WATCHING THE WALKER CULTIVATING ROAD SENSE The ability to foresee emergencies is 111 important part of the road sense developed by the experienced and skilful driver, says “The Motor.” Owing to this he is often able, by acting in advance, to avert more serious consequences into which the less alert driver might blunder unprepared. In no department of driving is this form of foresight more valuable than in watching the unwary walker who is itill all too common both in city streets and on country roads.

e Take the common case of the pedese trian who steps off the pavement (from the near side) and crosses the road on ” a slanting angle without glancing e back. Possibly his attention is riveted n upon a. car coming in the opposite q direction or he may be intent upon u catching a bus or tram, e The experienced driver not only sees :l the walker from the outset, but also a notices the way in which he is crossing Y the road. Tims, if the pedestrian be Y stepping out decisively, leaving no doubt as to the course which he is taking, it is usually much better to steer the car between the walker and j the kerb (leaving him in blissful ignorance of his danger) rather than to '• hoot. This is one of many cases in which 2 considerable discretion should be cxcr- * ciscd in the use of the powerful elec- * trie horns commonly fitted to modern > cars. When sounded in close proximity 3 to a walker who is quite unaware that ‘ a vehicle is approaching it may well k cause a nervous individual to hesitate ‘ and, possible, to step back, who would ’ otherwise have proceeded on his way ’ in safetv. i j SINGLE TRACK MINDS .' Due regard must also be paid to the , presence of other vehicles on the road , which may confuse the pedestrian and| > lead him to make a foolish decision. ( -Many persons have single-track minds . so that, in concentrating on a part of , the trallic, they forget the countcr- . flow. It is often possible to make due , allowance for this and other peculiari- > ties by watching the way in which the individual is behaving. For example, one often secs a nervous persqn standing in the road about a yard from the kerb, glancing this way and that, who may at any moment throw discretion to the wnids and decide to dash, across. In such circumstances the only safe rule is to slow down and be fully prepared for a sudden use of the brakes. Here, again, however, it is essential to keep other traffic in mind; precipitant braking may endanger following vehicles and a sudden swerve may lead to even more serious consequences. It is, therefore, very desirable to maintain, a moderate speed in busy streets so I hat. one can more readily cope with awkward situations, j Accidents are frequently caused by the pedestrian who walks out from behind a stationary vehicle, thus appearing suddenly in the path of an oncoming car. In many cases an alert driver can foresee the emergency by noticing the legs of the walker beneath the obstructing vehicle. The most, thoroughly “blind” type of vehicle is the tram, behind which the careless walker is entirely hidden. Great care should therefore be used in passing trams either on the near side or the off side. Tram passengers are often inconsiderate in the matter of dropping off the step while the vehicle is in motion. CHILDREN IN TRAFFIC Children are far more careful of the traffic than was once the case. Here, again, however, it pays to be observant. An excitable group of boys playing with a hall on the pavement may, for example, break up suddenly and rush across the road if the ball is deflected in that direction. On country roads one must exercise special care on Saturday afternoons and Sundays when they so often form a promenade for local inhabitants. Youths, in particular, arc often most unwilling to make way, failing to realise the danger which arises when (wo cars approach one another with a .group of, persons obstructing half the carriage-way. Finally, a word regarding (raffle signals. At some future time walkers may i>e disciplined into a due regard for signals, but at present one must al-

ways be prepared for the people who start to cross so soon as the trallic j s released. 'Where filtering to the lilt is permitted great care should lie taken to avoid danger to people who arc crossing the road in a direction parallel to the main flow of traffic and who arc naturally caught unprepared.