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How is the Engine best
started in, cold weather? Answer No. 8
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, while you turn the crank from six to eight one-quarter
turns in quick succession, or turn the motor over a few times with the starter.
Another method of starting a troublesome cold engine is as follows: Before you
turn on the switch, (1) close throttle lever; (2) hold out priming rod while
you give crank several quick turns, or turn the motor over a few times with the
starter, then let go of priming rod (being careful that it goes back all the
way); (3) place spark lever in about third notch and advance throttle lever several
notches; (4) turn on switch; (5) give crank one or two turns, or close the starting
switch, 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 thoroughly heated 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 start
the motor, 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.
To facilitate starting many drivers make a practice of stopping their engine
by 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.
What: function does the Hand Lever perform? Answer No. 9
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 brake 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 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.
How do the Foot pedals operate?
The first one toward the left operates the clutch. When pressed forward the
clutch pedal engages the low speed. When half-way forward the clutch is in
neutral (i. e., disconnected from the driving mechanism of the rear wheels),
and the releasing of this pedal engages the high-speed clutch. The center
pedal operates the reverse. The right-hand pedal operates the transmission
brake.
How is the car started? Answer No. 11
Slightly accelerate the engine by opening the throttle, press the clutch pedal
half way forward, thereby holding the clutch in a neutral position while
throwing the hand lever forward; then press the pedal forward into slow 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.
How is the Car stopped?
Answer No. 12
Partially close the throttle; release the high speed by pressing the clutch
pedal forward into neutral; apply the foot brake slowly but firmly until the
car comes to a dead stop. Do not remove foot from the clutch pedal without
first pulling the hand lever back to neutral position, or the engine will stall.
To stop the motor, open the throttle a trifle to accelerate the motor and then
throw off the switch. The engine will then stop with the cylinders full of
explosive gas, which will naturally facilitate starting.
Endeavor to so familiarize yourself with the operation of the car that to disengage
the clutch and apply the brake becomes practically automatic the natural thing
to do in case of emergency.
How is the Car
reversed? Answer No. 13
It must be brought to a dead stop. With the engine running, disengage the clutch
with the hand lever and press the reverse pedal forward with the left foot,
the right foot being free to use on the brake pedal if needed. Do not bring
the hand lever back too far or you will set the brakes on the rear wheels.
Experienced drivers ordinarily reverse the car by simply holding the clutch
pedal in neutral with the left foot, and operating the reverse pedal with the
right.
How is the Spark
controlled? Answer No. 14
By the left-hand lever under the steering wheel. Good operators drive with
the spark lever advanced just as far as the engine will permit. However, advancing
the spark too far will cause a dull knock in the motor, due to the fact that
the explosion occurs too early. The spark should only be retarded when the
engine slows down on a heavy road or steep grade, but care should be exercised
not to retard the spark too far as this will result in late ignition, which
causes loss of power and overheating of the motor and may also result in warped,
burned or cracked valves. Learn to operate the spark as the occasion demands.
The greatest economy in gasoline consumption is obtained by driving with the
spark advanced sufficiently to obtain the maximum speed.
How is speed of
Car controlled?
The different speeds required to meet road conditions are obtained by opening
or closing the throttle. Practically all the running speeds needed for ordinary
travel are obtained on high gear, and it is seldom necessary to use the low
gear except to give the car momentum in starting. The speed of the car may
be temporarily slackened in driving through crowded traffic, turning corners,
etc., by "slipping the clutch," i. e., pressing the clutch pedal
forward into neutral. When doing this the throttle lever should be nearly
closed.
Answer No. 15