How To Drive A Motorcar
A Key To The Subtleties Of Motoring

HOW TO DRIVE A MOTORCAR entail a certain amount of wear on the clutch which cannot benefit it, and also a certain amount of strain on the gear change mechanism, which is likewise sure to be the reverse of beneficial. The throttle is, of course, left pretty well open, but the movement, even in the hands of an expert, is not always so successful as expected. Some people argue that this is the quickest way of changing in a scientific manner, but the writer, while giving due deference to the other opinions, does not altogether agree. Admittedly, the movement is simpler than that which is going to be primarily advocated, but it is necessary to make the declutching movement with a certain amount of deliberation and care, and also to make the depression movement slowly: thus time is taken up. So much, then, for the slipping method of changing down. How to Double Declutch It must be admitted, before starting to describe this, that it will sound a little complicated on paper, but when once mastered the action is almost instantaneous, and the writer, without wishing to appear in any way to vaunt his prowess, has accustomed himself so to do it that the several movements are accomplished so quickly that occupants of the car are frequently diffi- cult to convince that the series of movements tave actually been accomplished. As stated, this is not meant in a boastful manner, but more to encourage the novice to study the movement and practice it, and not to be frightened by it. Assuming, then, that we are running along at a good speed on top gear and encounter a hill. It is obvious, even at the bottom, that, before we can surmount it, it will be necessary to change to at least the ';hird gear. Well, instead of waiting until the last ounce of the engine’s power has been expended on the top gear, and then mating the change when it is comparatively easy, we are going to show how it can be made at any car speed and any engine speed with perfect precision and silence. 96