DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS
A new driver should remain cool and take things in a natural way as a matter of course. There is nothing to get nervous or excited about when learning to drive a car. Any one can master the art of driving quickly by remaining cool and optimistic.
First.—Acquire some definite knowledge of the operation of the engine and its accompanying devices.
Second.—Have some one explain the operation of the accelerator, spark, and throttle levers.
Third.—Study the relative action of the clutch and gear-shifting pedal.
Fourth.—The new driver takes the wheel and assumes a natural and calm position with the muscles relaxed.
Fifth.—He adjusts the motor control levers. The throttle lever is advanced one-fourth its sliding distance on the quadrant. The spark lever is set to one-half the sliding distance on the quadrant.
Sixth.—Push the ignition-switch button, IN, or ON, and press the starter button, letting it up as soon as the engine begins to fire.
Seventh.—Not all gear-shifts are marked, consequently it is a good idea to let the new driver feel out the different speed changes. This is accomplished by pushing out the clutch and placing the shift-lever into one of the four slots. Now let up the clutch pedal until it starts to move the car, continue the feeling-out process until the reverse speed gear is located, and at this point impress on him that first and reverse speeds, are always opposite each other, lengthwise either on the right or left side of neutral, while second speed is always crosswise opposite reverse, and high-speed is opposite first on the other side of neutral.
Eighth.—Starting the car with engine running, advance the spark-lever three-fourths the distance on the quadrant, advance the throttle until the engine is turning over nicely (not racing). Place one hand on the steering-wheel and with the other grasp the gear-shift-lever, push in the clutch pedal, hold it for five seconds, in order that the clutch brake may stop rotation. Place the shift-lever into the first-speed slot and let up on the clutch pedal. The car should be driven four or five hundred feet on this speed until the driver acquires the “nack” of steering.
Ninth.—To shift to second speed advance the gas throttle until the car gathers a smooth rolling motion, press in the clutch pedal and allow three to five seconds for the brake to retard the speed of the clutch, then shift the lever to second speed and release the clutch pedal easily.
Tenth.—To shift into high-speed retard the throttle lever a trifle (to prevent the engine from racing), throw out the clutch and shift the lever into the high-speed slot. Perform these operations slowly but without hesitation.
Eleventh.—To shift to reverse speed go through the same operation that you followed when first was used, except that the shift-lever is placed in the reverse slot.
Twelfth.—The reverse speed-gear is never engaged unless the car is at a “stand-still,” as this gear turns in an opposite direction.
Thirteenth.—Always test the emergency brake lever and the speed shift-lever, to be sure that they are in a neutral position before starting the engine.
Fourteenth.—Remember that in case of emergency the car can be stopped quickly by pushing in both foot-pedals. Pressure on the clutch pedal disconnects the engine from the car, while pressure on the “foot” or service brake pedal, slows up the motion of the car and will bring it quickly to a stand-still.
Fifteenth.—Always push the clutch out when using the service brake to check the rolling motion of the car.
Sixteenth.—When you wish to stop the car and motor kick out the clutch and hold it in this position while you stop the rolling motion of the car with the service brake and shift the gears to neutral. Then set the emergency brake and turn off the switch to stop the motor.
If the engine cannot take the car up a steep grade in low speed (due to defective motor or gravity fuel feed) stop, engage reverse speed, turn off the ignition switch, and let the car back down to level or a place where you can turn around, and back up the hill. The reverse speed is geared from one and a half to two times lower than first speed.
Nineteen.—To stop the back wheels from skidding turn the front wheels in the direction which the back wheels are sliding and release the brakes. Turning away or applying the brakes adds momentum to the sliding motion.
Twenty.—If for any reason you must or cannot avoid driving into the ditch unless the ditch is very shallow, turn the car directly toward the opposite bank. The front or rear springs will lodge in the bank and prevent the car from rolling over and crushing the occupants, and the car can be drawn out more easily from this position.