The Motor as a Brake

Progress, Volume X, Issue 4, 1 December 1914, Page 145

The Motor as a Brake

In using the motor for a brake with the gears in first or second speed, more braking effect is secured by having the ignition off. Besides this, backfiring and muffler explosions are to a large extent avoided, and the motor is more completely cooled at the same time that it is working as a brake. When the spark is on, there is an occasional impulse given to the motor by an explosion occuring in the cylinders, even though the motor may not fire at all regularly. In working through country, hilly enough to require the services of the motor in low gear as a brake, it is a good opportunity to cool off the motor by cutting off the ignition. The cool air which is drawn into the cylinders will quickly reduce the temperature of the cylinder walls.