1938 LaSalle Production - GM Heritage Center

Starting the Engine
Automatic features have greatly simplified the starting
procedure. First of all, press the accelerator pedal slowly to
the floorboards.This "sets" the automatic choke. Then depress
the clutch pedal, switch on the ignition and press the
starter button at the left of the panel. Built-in carburetor
controls provide the correct starting mixture and idling speed.
The engine should start in from 5 to 25 seconds of cranking.
If it does not, release the starter button and look for
the cause:
Check the contents of the gasoline tank.
See that the throttle button is pushed in to the dash,
especially in cold weather.
Make sure the ignition key is turned all the way on.
Crank the engine with the accelerator pedal held all the
way down to open the throttle fully. This will correct any
tendencies to a floodedor over-rich condition.
Do not run down the battery by too much use of the
starting motor when the engine does not start readily. First
find the cause; otherwise the battery may be run down
sufficiently to make starting
impossible.
If a hot engine is
hard to start, open the
throttle fully by pushing
the accelerator slowly
to the floorboards,and
then crank the engine.
Release the accelerator
after the engine starts.
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