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

HOW TO DRIVE A MOTORCAR the considerate treatment of the engine and chassis might quite probably work out at something approach- ing 20 per cent. In addition to this, at higher speeds r.e, wear may be. said to increase, roughly, as the cube oi the speed, whilst the whole chassis suffers to some extent through the extra strain and jolting put upon it. Then, again, the life-bearing productions of nature are not the only things which get tired. Metals have a knack of getting tired, and continual running under maximum power with considerable jolting is the best known means of producing the fatigue of the metals, rrom all points of view, then, more particularly that of economy, it is advisable always to make a practice of merely indulging in the full depression of the throttle tor snort stretches, or for hill-climbing purposes. It must be admitted that, every now and then, when ft fane stretch of road presents itself, one has the right to enjoy the exhilaration of putting the car to its utmost speed, but this should be the joyous physical exception rather than the mechanically-murderous rule. One may admit that it is usually advisable to accelerate up to a good speed by the full use of the throttle, but when that speed has been attained it is rather surprising, if careful notice is taken, how far throttle opening may be reduced without materially decreasing the speed of the car. In Traffic I he remarks which have been made relative to the use of the throttle in general are particularly applic- able m reference to traffic driving. Do not be tempted to overdo the “ hang-on-the-top ” idea, and when it is requisite to pick up with top gear engaged from a very slow speed take particular care not to open the throttle too quickly. . Not only will the sudden jar on every- thing be detrimental to the chassis at large, but from slow engine speeds on touring cars the acceleration is not hkely to be so good with a too-quickly-opened throttle as with a gently manoeuvred one. Frequently, when having come down to quite slow running, one can pick up again without any undue 73