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CONTROL OF THE CAR
How to Change Gear; Some Good
Driving Hints
T
HE driving seat 01 the Austin Seven is adjustable lor position and
tbis convenience sbould be taken advantage 01 to obtain tbe greatest
comlort.
To engage lirst gear, pusb out the clutcb and move tbe gear lever
into tbe lirst speed position. .
Sometimes it may bappen tbat wben tbe clutch is let in, tbere
is no apparent drive Irom tbe engine. Tbat is because tbere bas been no
proper engagement 01 tb, gears. Tberelore, pusb out tbe clutcb again,
and it will almost certainly be lound tbat tbe lever can then be moved
so as to give tbe proper gear engagement witbout using any lorce.
Start on'lirst speed, accelerate to about 8 m.p.b., pusb out tbe clutcb,
move tbe lever to neutral, and continue tbe movement 01 the lever steadily
to tbe second speed position and let in tbe clutcb gently. '
In moving from second to tbird speed, a similar action takes place.
Accelerate to about 18 m.p.b., declutcb, release tbe accelerator, move tbe
lever to neutral and continue tbe movement 01 tbe lever steadily into tbe
tbird speed.
To move from tbird to top, declutch, and move tbe lever steadily
into tbe position desired. It assists tbe cbange Irom top to third, and
tbird to second il tbe accelerator is held down while the change is made.
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Change Early.
Always change gear early on a bill. Never allow tbe engine to labour
in any gear and expect it to pick up speed on changing into a lower one
wben the car has nearly stopped. Do not persist in attempting to drive
the car uphill in top gear wben the speed lalls below 18 m.p.h.-cbange
down.
If the car bas been driven back by tbe reverse gear, wait until it is
stationary belore engaging a lorward speed. Do not engage the reverse
gear when the car is travelling lorward. Serious damage to the gears will
be the result.
Keep the loot 011the clutch pedal
except in heavy trallic. Even then
do not allow tbe weight 01the loot to
be taken by tbe pedal. Tbe slipping
01the clutcb caused by tbis practice
beats and wears it badly.
When descending a long bill, or
before commencing a steep descent,
engage one 01 the lower gears, and
do not accelerate.
The Gear Positi...,.
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The engine will tb~n belp to retard the speed 01 tbe car. When
using the brake, keep tbe clutcb in, disengaging it at the last moment il
.topping tbe car.
Skidding.
Skidding is sometimes due to sudden braking on a greasy or loose
surlace and unduly slack tyres contribute to it. If the rear wheels skid,
release the brakes and turn the Iront wbeels towards the direction 01
the skid.
Synchromesh Gears.
Tbe gearbox bas lour lorward speeds and a reverse and the second
third and top gears have synchromesh engagement, which ensures silent
positive cbanges.
Cear cbanging may be sligbtly still in a new car until tbe moving
parts bave eased in use. Cbanging sbould not be done burriedly and
no attempt sbould be made to lorce tbe gear lever il engagement is not
made at tbe lirst attempt. Sbould
dilliculty be experienced in en-
gaging a gear wben tbe car is
.tanding, release tbe clutcb lor a
moment and tben try again.
Tbe syncbromesb mecbanism
is governed by a series 01 spring fQtt:',:
loaded balls as illustrated. Tbe
internal cone on tbe inner member
makes contact witb tbe gear
mne to syncbronise tbe speeds 01
botb members belore tbe dog
member, overcoming tbe resist-
ance 01 tbe ball A. moves on to
give positive gear engagement.
What Not to Do.
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Second Speed Synchroni,ing Mecl.anism
A. Spring Ball Re,iotance.
Whatever you do, please do not make tbe lollowing mistakes :-
Do not lorget tbe ignition switcb wben starting up.
Do not make a last run witb tbe radiator mull closed.
Do not be cruel to tbe starter il tbe engine will not lire.
Do not toucb tbe starter switcb wbile a gear is engaged.
Do not leave tbe car in gear and witb tbe bandbrake 011.
Do not coast witb a gear engaged and tbe clutcb beld out.
Do not lill tbe radiator witb cold water wben tbe engine is bot.
Do not leave tbe ignition switcbed on wben tbe car is not running.
On no account run tbe engine in a closed garage. Tbe exbaust gasses
are bigbly toxic and a very small amount in a restricted atmospbere
will produce grave, il not latal results.
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