How to drive in 1908
Driving your 4WD in the new millennium may seem difficult at times, but spare a thought for the problems faced by motorists at the beginning of the 20th century. The following paragraphs are extracts from a book titled Useful Hints and Tips for Automobilists, that was published in 1908. Believe it or not, it contained 575 suggestions!
1) A careful driver becomes much exercised as to how he may do his tires the least possible amount of harm when passing over a newly-laid patch of stones. The more general method is to drop down on to the bottom speed and go over as gently as may be, yet this oftentimes results in the tyres being badly cut.
Now if when approaching a patch of loose metal the car is allowed to run right up to it at speed, and the clutch is taken out before the front wheels strike the stones, the vehicle will have sufficient momentum to carry it over the average patch of stones. By this method of driving the wheels are relieved of all driving strains, and the tires are less likely to be damaged, as they simply roll over the stones and are not subjected to any other severe strains than the dead load.
This may seem a daring practice, but we can assure our readers it is an effective one. If by reason of the length of the newly-stoned road or an adverse gradient the car cannot attain sufficient speed to roll over the metal, nothing remains but to drop to the low speed and go on gently.
On no account should the clutch be let in so that momentum may be maintained, as immediately the engine begins to drive when the gear ratio speed is above that of the speed of the vehicle the very worst cutting action is put on the tires.
2) It must occasionally fall to the lot of every motorist to find himself obliged to drive home on the rim – in other words, he is unable to keep any air in his tire, he is without spares or too short of time to struggle with a refactory inner tube, and so elects to drive on, and ignore the consequences. Common prudence will suggest a moderate speed, and if the distance to be traversed is short, the security bolts well tightened, and the road surface smooth, it is possible that little harm may be done.
3) Those who have cars on which the brakes do not hold well backward will find it advisable when they come to steep hills to drive the car up backward if they have the least doubt as to the ability of their engine to climb the grade successfully. If they run up backward they not only have the full power of the brakes available if required, but what is perhaps still more important to the majority, the car is facing forward should it show the least tendency to get out of hand.
4) A very good guide to tire inflation when there is reason to doubt the accuracy of the pressure gauge on the pump, or when the driver does not know what pressure is suitable for a particular car, is to take two of the spokes, one in each hand, and stoutly shake the car, noticing whether the wheel moves to and from the operator while the part of the tire in contact with the ground remains stationary. If any of this side roll is apparent, the tire is not sufficiently inflated.
5) Whenever the car will 'coast', at a reasonable speed without the engine driving, the driver will find that this is the safest, quietest, and most economical way of descending slopes.
PLEASE NOTE. Do not implement any of this advice, unless your 4WD was built prior to 1909.
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