Putnam's Automobile Handbook: The Care and Management of the Modern Motor-Car

by H. Clifford Brokaw; Charles A. Starr

Turning in Narrow Streets—With the car moving slowly, first look back to see that there is no other vehicle coming and then turn the wheels sharply to the left as far as possible. When within five feet more or less, depending upon the speed of the car, of the left-hand curb, release the clutch and apply the brake gently, at the same time turning the steering wheel quickly to the right. Stop turning the wheel when the car is brought to a standstill. With the clutch still released and the brake on, shift to the reverse gear. Then release the brake; accelerate slightly, let the clutch in carefully, and when the car starts to move continue turning the wheel to the right or clockwise. This will point the car in the opposite direction. When going backward look toward the back of the car and also up and down the street to see that no other vehicle is approaching. After the car has traveled back a sufficient distance, release the clutch, take foot off of accelerator pedal and apply brake, at the same time turning steering wheel to the left until the car stops. Then with the clutch still released and the brake still on, shift from reverse gear to first speed gear. Take right foot from brake pedal and accelerate slightly, allowing clutch to engage gradually, and as soon as the car starts to move, continue turning steering wheel to the left until the car goes straight ahead. Do not turn the steering wheel while the car is standing. Start to turn when the car begins to move. Do not allow tires to strike curb.

Turning Corners—Before turning a corner hold out the hand so that any driver behind you may see it, and also look back to make sure that he does see it. If another vehicle is close behind you or if there is one in front coming toward you, slow up your car and wait until it has passed before turning. When turning a corner to the right keep as close to the curb as possible so that the car will be on the right-hand side when you get into the side street. When turning to the left go past the center of the street into which you are traveling and then turn sharply, so that you will be on the right-hand side of the road. Do not cut close to the left curb. Always go around a corner at a low enough speed to make the use of the second speed gear necessary, and reduce speed so that the gear shifting must be done before starting to turn, not after, as this gives better control of the car. Turning corners at a high rate of speed puts a great strain on the tires and causes them to wear excessively. It is also uncomfortable for the passengers. Use both hands on the steering wheel, and if the car is found to be going too fast check it by releasing the clutch and applying the brake slightly. Do not shift gears before slowing the car. The idea is to slow the car sufficiently to make shifting to a lower gear necessary.

Climbing Hills—When approaching a hill accelerate and advance the spark, as speeding up the motor makes it more powerful and adding momentum to the car will often carry it over hills that would need an intermediate speed gear if an attempt is made to climb them slowly. As the hill is reached, open the throttle fully. If the engine begins to feel the grade and labors or knocks, retard the spark until the knocking or laboring ceases. If the hill is a very steep one, as soon as the engine begins to lose speed, release the clutch, remove pressure from accelerator and, without applying the brake, shift to a lower speed gear. Let clutch in quickly and at the same time open accelerator wide. It will then probably be found that the spark can be advanced without causing the engine to knock. On some hills it may be found necessary to shift to the first speed gear, but this should not be done unless the engine will not pull the car on a higher gear. When gears are shifted on a hill the change must be made quickly and the clutch let in immediately, as slow work will allow the car to lose momentum, and then when the clutch is engaged the engine will stall. If the engine stalls, put on the emergency brake and put gear lever in neutral notch. It will be well to place a stone or block back of the rear wheels before cranking the motor as the vibration of the engine may jar the emergency lever loose. In starting again, release the clutch, put lever in first speed gear, accelerate strongly, release the emergency brake and at the same time let the clutch engage. This must be done quickly, otherwise the car will start to back down the hill. With some cars it may be found easier when starting from a standstill on a steep hill, to apply the foot brake, release the emergency brake, engage the clutch while the foot brake is released gradually, at the same time feeding gas to the engine with the hand throttle. Do not attempt to climb steep hills until you have thoroughly mastered shifting gears on the level.

Descending Hills—When descending slight grades throw off the ignition switch and leave the gear lever in high speed with the clutch engaged. This will cause the engine to act as a slight brake and if necessary the running brake may be operated in connection with it. There is no harm in applying the brake under these conditions with the clutch engaged, because switching off the ignition causes the engine to stop giving power. When a very steep grade is encountered, before attempting to descend it, stop the car and shift to second or first speed gear. The lower the gear used the greater will be the braking power, and when first speed is used it is almost impossible for the car to get beyond control. The ignition may be switched off or on as the occasion requires. Switching it off gives greater braking power. The clutch must be left engaged, and the brakes may be used to help. It is well to use first one brake and then the other in descending long grades, as too long an application of one will cause it to heat and burn the friction material. Do not wait until you are half way down the hill before finding out that it is too steep for the brakes to hold the car. Make up your mind before starting to descend and shift to first gear if necessary. Do not allow the brakes to get in such condition that they will not hold to the best of their ability. Never descend the hill at a high rate of speed no matter how safe it looks. Brakes do not hold as well when the car is going fast as they do when it is moving slowly, nor will they stop a car as quickly going down a grade as they will going up.

Driving in Congested Streets—Procure a copy of the rules of the road of the city in which you are driving and obey them. Keep to the right-hand curb unless it is lined with standing vehicles, in which case keep close to them. In overtaking another vehicle, pass it on its left. In passing a vehicle coming in the opposite direction go to the right of it. When stopping, the wheels must be within six inches of the curb. Before stopping, hold your hand out at the side of the car to warn the man who may be behind you. Do not at any time slow down or stop without holding out your hand and looking back to make sure that it is seen. Pedestrians have the right of way at crossings, but you may warn them of your approach by blowing the horn. However, do not make a nuisance of yourself by using it more than necessary. When traveling in a side street, upon coming to a main thoroughfare slow up so that you can stop quickly, as vehicles on these streets have the right of way. When on a main thoroughfare it is not necessary to slow up at every cross street. Watch the traffic policeman, and when one holds up his hand, stop; first holding out your hand to warn anyone behind you. Remain standing until the policeman motions you to proceed. In some places the policemen use whistles instead of motions, and the signals used by them should be learned. Whenever it is necessary to reduce the speed of the car considerably, release the clutch and apply the brake. When the car is going slow enough, shift to a lower speed gear to prevent stalling the motor when the clutch is let in. When it is found necessary to keep behind a slow moving vehicle, shift to a speed so low that it will not be necessary to slip the clutch. If it is desirable to go slower than first speed gear, however, the clutch may be slipped by keeping a slight pressure on that clutch pedal. A great variation in speed may be obtained when in any gear by the proper manipulation of the spark and throttle levers.

Do not attempt to keep pace with other vehicles until you are an experienced driver. When in close quarters, perform every operation slowly as a move made slowly but surely will probably take less time than a move made incorrectly. There is no occasion for getting excited, as it is safe to assume that every other vehicle is under perfect control. Learn to shift gears without looking at the lever, because you will need your eyes to watch the road. Sit straight in the seat: do not get hunched over the steering wheel as this indicates a novice. Always drive into the garage on the first speed gear.

Washing the Car—The car should be washed immediately upon coming into the garage, before the mud has had time to dry. Do not scour off the mud as this scratches the varnish. Use the hose with a slow stream until the mud is well loosened, and then finish by soaking (not rubbing) off with a sponge well wet with water. Where a hose is not procurable the mud may be loosened with a wet sponge and then washed off entirely by throwing pails of water on it. Be careful that water does not go through the radiator or any other opening and get on the engine, as this is likely to short circuit the magneto or spark plugs and prevent the motor from running. If there is grease on the car, soap must be used to remove it. Castile soap is the best for this purpose. However, do not apply the soap itself to the car, but make suds in lukewarm water. After all mud and grease has been removed, wipe dry with a chamois skin. Wash and dry the body before the running gear, and be careful that no grease is collected on chamois from wheel bearings and steering-arm joints.

Cautions—Don’t twist the steering wheel when the car is standing. Corners should be turned at slow speed to save wear on tires. The brakes should not be applied with too much force except in an emergency, as it is hard on tires and the machine in general. Don’t let the motor labor or knock when ascending hills. When going down long hills use one set of brakes and then the other. Shift to first speed gear before descending steep hills. Change from first speed to reverse and from reverse to first only when the car is standing. Be very careful of skidding on wet pavements. Put non-skid chains on for wet or icy roads. Always start and stop the car without a jerk. This constitutes good driving. Don’t forget to see that the license pad is attached before leaving the garage. Inspect oil, gasoline, and water tanks before making a trip and see that the necessary tools and extra tires are in the car. Don’t let the car stand with the motor stopped in the winter time, unless the radiator is filled with anti-freezing solution. Look the car over thoroughly after each run.

The records of the examinations held at the school show that there are a few points of driving which a large majority of the students do not entirely master. This is not due to lack of instruction in the subjects, but is rather the result of poor memory or insufficient practice. Failure to perform these operations perfectly does not necessarily mean that the student is not a safe driver, but it does show that he needs more practice before being rated as an expert. If you want to be a little better than the average driver, keep in mind the following points, go back and read them over again in this booklet, think about them when driving the car and try your best to master them.

When about to turn a corner, or turn in a street, or in fact whenever swerving from a straight line, look back to see if it is safe to make the turn, and hold out your hand to signal what you intend to do.