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

CHAPTER V Starting on Hills LEAVING a car at rest on a steep hill and starting away again are two factors in the art of driving which have to receive careful treatment. When speaking of steep hills in this connection, one means such hills, for instance, as those of about 1 in 8, and, of course, the steeper gradients up to the worst, such as the 1 in 4 that is occasionally met with in some portions of the country. If it is desired to leave a car on such a declivity care must be taken (when possible, of course) to be sure that, if the car is point- ing up the hill, its position is such that the near side rear wheel is pointed at a slight incline into the kerb. If, therefore, for any reason the car should start to run backwards, it is impossible for it to do so for any great distance. Then, again, this makes the work of start- ing away from rest much easier, as the low gear can be engaged, the brakes put off, and the initial starting movement made under the most favourable conditions available in the existing circumstances. Leaving a Gear In If for any reason it is quite an impossibility to leave the car with the wheels against a kerb or against some obstacle which will serve a similar purpose, then on a steep hill it is quite a good practice to engage the low gear (when facing down hill, the reverse) after stopping the engine and thö car, as a precaution additional to that of the side brake lever. It may be that one s side brakes are in very good order and capable.of holding the car on the declivity in question, but it must be remembered that the whole safety, so far as side brakes are concerned, depends on the little detent which 38