Q. How is the engine best started in cold weather?
A. As gasoline does not vaporize readily in cold weather, it is naturally more difficult to start the motor under such conditions. The usual method of starting the engine when cold is to turn the carburetor dash adjustment one-quarter turn to the left in order to allow a richer mixture of gasoline to be drawn into the cylinders. Then hold out the priming rod which projects through the radiator while you turn the crank from six to eight quarter turns in quick succession. Another method of starting a cold troublesome motor is as follows: Before you throw on the magneto switch, (1) close throttle lever. (2) Hold out the priming rod while you crank several quick turns, then let go of the priming rod, being careful that it goes back all the way. (3) Place spark lever in about the third notch and advance throttle lever several notches. (4) Throw on switch being sure to get it on the side marked “magneto.” (5) Give crank one or two turns and the motor should start. After starting the motor it is advisable to advance the spark eight or ten notches on the quadrant and let the motor run until it is thoroughly warmed up.
If you start out with a cold motor you will not have much power and are liable to “stall.” The advantage of turning on the switch last, or after priming, is that when you throw on the switch and give the crank one-quarter turn you have plenty of gas in the cylinders to keep the motor running, thereby eliminating the trouble of the motor starting and stopping. After motor is warmed up turn carburetor adjustment back one-quarter turn.
Note. Many drivers make a practice of stopping their engine by walking around in front of the car and pulling out on the priming rod which has the effect of shutting off the air suction and filling the cylinders full of a very rich gasoline vapor. This should not be done unless the car is going to stand over night or long enough to cool off. If the motor is stopped in this way and then started when hot, starting is apt to be difficult on account of the surplus gasoline in the carburetor.
Q. How do the foot pedals operate?
A. The first one toward the left operates the clutch, and by it the car is started and its operations largely controlled. When pressed forward the clutch pedal engages the low speed gear. When halfway forward the gears are in neutral (i. e., disconnected from the driving mechanism of the rear wheels), and, with the hand lever thrown forward the releasing of the pedal engages the high-speed clutch. The right hand pedal operates the transmission brake.
Q. What function does the hand lever perform?
A. Its chief purpose is to hold the clutch in neutral position. If it were not for this lever the driver would have to stop the engine whenever he left the driver’s seat. He would also be unable to crank the engine without the car starting forward with the first explosion. When pulled back as far as it will go, the hand lever acts as an emergency lever on the rear wheels, by expanding the brake shoes in the rear wheel drums. Therefore the hand lever should be back as far as it will go when cranking the engine or when the car is at rest. It should be only in a vertical position, and not far enough backward to act as a brake on the rear wheels when the car is to be reversed. When the car is operating in high or low speed the hand lever should be all the way forward.
Q. How is the car started?
A. Slightly accelerate the engine by opening the throttle. Place the foot on the clutch pedal, and thereby hold the gears in a neutral position while throwing the hand lever forward. Then to start the car in motion, press the pedal forward into low speed and when under sufficient headway (20 to 30 feet), allow the pedal to drop back slowly into high speed, at the same time partially closing the throttle which will allow the engine to pick up its load easily. With a little practice the change of speeds will be easily accomplished, and without any appreciable effect on the smooth running of the machine.