MOTOR DRIVING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 December 1939, Page 7

MOTOR DRIVING

DESCENDING HILLS. It might be thought that there is nothing much to learn about how to drive a car down a hill: actually, however, there are several important points to bear in mind. Speaking very generally, main road hills have an average gradient of 1 in 15; these may be descended safely merely by the use of the brakes, leaving top gear engaged. Even hills of 1 in 8. which are sometimes encountered on main roads are well within the holding power of modern braking systems. It is desirable, however, to avoid risk of overheating the brakes: therefore, on a long hill of more than normal steepness the proper course is to engage bottom or second gear so that the resistance of the engine may be used lo hold the car. Only light application of the brakes should then be needed. Do not switch off the engine, as to do may cause the plugs to oil up. Steep, "unknown” hills, especially if they are twisty, should be treated with great caution. Avoid allowing the car to gather too much speed as the hill may be even steeper round the next corner, or one may meet an obstruction. If. at the worst, the car shows signs of getting out of control, let it run against and scrape the bank if there is one. or even steer into a hedge or wall. It will not be good lor the car. but it may prevent damage to the occupants. When descending fairly gentle slopes do not be tempted lo coast by disengaging the clutch as this causes undue wear on the withdrawal mechanism. The proper course is to slip the gear lever into neutral: al the bottom of the hill re-engage top gear in the ordinary way.