1939 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 within 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 control 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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Cold Weather Operation
Winter weather brings no inconvenience to the LaSalle
owner who has his car properly prepared for low temper atures
and who follows correct procedures in starting and driving.
Winter preparation of your LaSalle consists of the following:
Adequate servicing of the cooling system for cold weather,
including the use of an approved anti-freeze (Page 49).
Draining the engine crankcase and refilling with 10-W
or 20-W engine oil, according to the lowest temperature
expected, as explained on page 38.
Cleaning the gasoline lines and filter. (Page 48).
Checking up on the mechanical condition of the engine,
particularly the valves and ignition, to make certain that
the engine is properly tuned.
Inspecting the storage battery to see that it is fully
charged, that the connections are clean and tight, and that
the charging rate is adequate.
Starting the engine in cold weather requires the same
irocedure as at other times, but with emphasis on the
bllowing precautions:
S
1. Use of 10-W or 20-W oil to assure free cranking.
2. Always depressing the clutch pedal when cranking
the engine, to relieve the starter of the load of turning
the transmission gears.
3. Making sure by regular tests that the battery is kept
fully charged or nearly so.
After the engine has started, it is a good plan to engage
the clutch gradually while the transmission is in neutral to
permit the engine to free up the lubricant before the car is
driven. Always let a cola engine warm up for at least
30 seconds before driving the car. Do not open the
throttle suddenly to race the engine during this period.
Cold weather driving can be made much more comfortable
and safer by the installation of a good car heater and
defroster. Your Cadillac-LaSalle dealer can supply you
with an approved type of heater-defroster. Ask to see
these heaters.
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