CHAPTER XIVRUNNING AN AUTOMOBILE

Don’t look to de right, don’t look to de left;But keep in de middle ob de road.

Don’t look to de right, don’t look to de left;

But keep in de middle ob de road.

This couplet formed part of an old song long before the automobile was known. It serves as a text for some advice in running a machine. When a novice takes out a car for the first time he feels pretty safe in the block intermediate the crossings, and it is only when he comes to the intersecting streets that he begins to feel that something must be done with the signal or the levers, or both.

Running Close to the Curb.—If he runs near the curb he will find it necessary to go very close up to the corner before he is able to notice an approach of a vehicle from the right. If he nears the corner running near the middle of the road, it will not be necessary for him to keep such a sharp watch for the sudden appearance of a vehicle, which gives the novice such a fright.

The Middle of the Road.—For this reason,therefore, the homely advice above, is very appropriate. When in the middle of the road, the looking to the right, or to the left is a matter which is unnecessary.

In every community certain local regulations are established, which should be learned, but there are well known rules, which have grown into well recognized laws everywhere, and if they are once understood, will apply wherever you happen to be.

Community Regulations.—The first of these is tokeep to the rightin passing a vehicle which is approaching you.

The second is, topass to the left of a vehiclewhich is going in the same direction.

Third, in making a turn at the intersection of streets make a loop which will carry you beyond the farther side of the street, and do not try to turn within the limits of the crossing, or the corners of the street curbs.

Fourth, between street intersections, do not try to make a turn until you have examined the street behind you, and never attempt to make a long diagonal cut when the turn is being made.

Approaching Car Tracks.—In approaching car tracks do so on the principle that a train is coming, and act accordingly. Don’t take anything for granted. This applies when there are anyobstructions either way along the track for several hundred feet from the roadway on which you are traveling.

Coasting.—It is a mistake to coast down hill with the brakes set for controlling the car. Instead, cut out the ignition, select a gear best suited for the grade of the hill, and run the machine down under compression; that is to say, against the engine. If the grade is very steep select low gear, and in that way you have a very strong leverage.

Fig. 103. Caution Signs.

This saves an immense amount of wear on the brakes, and if the grade is extraordinarily steep the brakes may be used to reënforce the compression.

Signs of the Road.—The American Motor League has adopted a series ofcaution signsshown in Fig. 103, which are explained as follows:

1. Approach to a steep descent. 2. Approaching railroad crossing. 3. Branch road to the right. 4. Branch road to the left. 5. Cross roads. 6. Ditch or abrupt depression in the road. 7. Approach to a hummock. 8. City, village, or collection of inhabited dwellings.

These signs are placed from 100 to 300 yards from the points to which they refer.

Operating the Control.—All cars have practically the same arrangement of pedals for controlling the car with the feet. This refers, of course, to the clutch, brake, and throttle pedals. In cities, running through crowded streets, the foot throttle should be used, so as to keep both hands free; but in the open country, where change is not required so frequently, this control is usually by hand.

The Crucial Point.—The crucial point of every learner, is starting the machine. The first duty is to note that the transmission lever is at the neutral point, and that the emergency brake is set. The spark control lever is then set at the proper point, and the engine cranked, if it has no self starting mechanism.

Clutch Pedal and Spark Control.—Now, before touching the clutch pedal, adjust the sparkcontrol lever until the engine has picked up its speed properly. Then depress the clutch pedal so as to disengage the clutch, and release the emergency brake. Leaving the clutch still disengaged move the transmission lever to low gear, and, with the right foot, press down the throttle pedal, if there is any slacking in the speed of the engine.

The clutch pedal may now be slowly allowed to raise by the foot until it gradually takes hold. It is at this point where the beginner must take the utmost care. Invariably, he will do this too quickly. After several trials he will learn to do it deliberately, so as to avoid the jerk caused by a sudden grip.

Neutral Position of Transmission Lever.—The moment the car stops, reach for the transmission lever, and put it into its neutral position. Thisshould never be neglected.

After the car starts, and it is apparent that the engine is running strong, depress the clutch pedal with the left foot, and quickly change the transmission lever to the next speed, and the clutch is then again deliberately thrown in.

Throwing in Gears.—There is an art in throwing in the gears which experience will enable a driver to do without grinding. To change from intermediate to high, observe the same order,—thatis, release the clutch, then change the transmission lever, and again slowly bring the clutch into operation.

In Reversing.—For reversing, wait until the car stops. Then cut out, or release the clutch. The brakes must be released, the transmission lever moved to a reverse position, and the clutch then thrown in gradually.

Quick Stops.—Quick stops are sometimes necessary. This is done by pressing down the clutch and brake pedals, with the feet, and setting the emergency brake at the same time. For ordinary stops, close the throttle, so as to allow the engine to reduce the speed on its compression, then throw out the clutch with the left foot, and follow this up by pressing the brake pedal with the right foot, so as to gradually bring the car to a stop.

Thenputthetransmission leverto itsneutral position.

Ease in Manipulating Progressive System.—Of the two types, the progressive system of transmission is the easiest to master, as the novice frequently finds it difficult to quickly grasp the position and movement of the lever. He has so many things to learn about at the start. The progressive type is easy to master as it needs to be moved in one direction only.

Fig. 104. Wiring for Lighting Circuit.

In either case, however, the aim should be to make the two gears engage each other at as nearly the same speed as possible. If the learner will remember that the object of temporarily throwing out the clutch, is to allow the clutch shaft to slow down, and then move the transmission lever afterwards, he will be able, after several trials, to catch them at a point where they will easily engage each other without any noise.

This applies to the selection type, also.

It has been stated that a locomotive engineer becomes so used to thefeelof his engine that he can sense a wrong action of any part of the immense mechanism under his control. There is a vibratory instinct, if we may so term it, that affects the driver, which does not extend to the person seated at his side.

It is so particularly in the case of an automobile driver. The steering wheel is a sort of antennæ, which imparts a vibratory intelligence to him, that cannot be grasped or understood by others in the car.

At first the matter of driving is a feeling of intensity in doing certain things, and in trying to anticipate the conditions. This state of mind continues until driving becomes a reflex action. The throttle, or the pedals are instinctively moved; the throwing in of a gear is proceeded with in an easy, natural fashion, and the starting movement is brought about without a perceptible jerk.

Fig. 105. Ignition Wiring.

Wiring for Lighting.—For the purpose of giving a comprehensive idea of the method used in wiring up the lighting apparatus of a car, a full page diagram is given, Fig. 104, which is regarded as the most approved form. This shows two main head lamps, a rear lamp, two side lamps, and a dash lamp.

The system is equally well adapted for battery or dynamo generation, and by the aid of the sketch all the circuits can be readily traced out on a machine, or an initial installation put in.

Wiring up for Ignition.—As an important part in the care of a car depends on knowing the correct leads of all wires in the ignition system, a plain diagram is presented, Fig. 105, which, if carefully studied, will serve as a guide for this type of ignition.

The engine shows two independent batteries as the source of electrical power for starting, and a motor-generator for running service. The motor generator transforms the direct current of the batteries into the alternating current necessary for ignition, which latter is raised to a high tension in the ordinary way, as heretofore explained.

The sizes of the two sets of wires are also indicated, and the switch shows how connection is made when the starter switch is thrown in.

Back to Index Next