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

 LEAVING A CAR ON A HILL actuates in the teeth of the quadrant—even assuming that no small boy sees fit to meddle with it ! Admittedly, it is but very rarely that the detent in question or the slide bar carrying it gives way under these circum- stances, but such cases have been known, and it is well to bear the possibility in mind. In this connec- tion, accidents have several times occurred through the instinctively evil-minded and ubiquitous small boy. One must, of course, under these circumstances, re- member that the gear is in mesh, but with the brake on, or if the hill is a steep one, it is very doubtful if one could move the starting handle sufficiently to start the engine. When starting away again on steep hills one must always bring into use the low gear. If there is only an accelerator pedal provided (and the car is not resting against the kerbstone), then it is best to hold the car with the side lever, and as one gradually releases this, to accelerate the engine, whilst at the same time gently engaging the clutch. If there is a hand control to the throttle, one may, if so minded, use the pedal brake for holding the car, and start away by means of the hand-control throttle and, of course, similar clutch manipulation. If the car has to be left with the bonnet pointing down a steep hill, the operation should be similar, except, of course, that it is the front wheels which will 37