Page:Motors and motor-driving (1902).djvu/359

Rh to the lower speed and begin all over again, until he can change each speed easily and quietly while the car is running; it is only a question of practice. The clutch-pedal must be pressed down firmly and decisively without haste or any violent force. There is another important factor in regard to changing speeds which must be considered, and that is, to change speed at the proper time in relation to the speed at which the car itself is travelling. The usual mistakes on the part of the novice in changing speed are:—

1. To change to a higher speed too soon.

2. After withdrawing the clutch, not changing speed soon enough, thus allowing the carriage to run too slowly to enable him to change, on to a higher speed.

3. Often in ascending hills he does not change to the next lower speed quickly enough. It is always well to remember that in going uphill the engine is best when kept at its maximum rate of speed; if it drops below this, change to a lower Lrcar at once. This is especially important if you are driving a powerful car, as the strain thrown on the clutch when driving on too high a gear will not improve 'that very important item of the car's anatomy.

A very good formula to follow in regard to changing speeds is to continue on the speed on which you are running until the engine cuts out or shows signs of extra vibration or noise, which will at once indicate to you that it is running faster than it ought, and that it is desirable to change on to the next speed. This will ensure there being a good run on the car, and that the next higher speed will take up the run and increase the pace.

In changing to a lower speed, it is always well to change in good time directly the car exhibits the slightest sign of flagging on the speed it is then running on, as one must remember that immediately the clutch is withdrawn on an upgrade the car starts slowing, and if one does not change quickly, it will not pull even on the next lower speed. The result of this will be that, instead of changing back to one speed,