1938 Cadillac V16 - GM Heritage Center

Starting the Car
Stopping the Car
Skillful driving includes the ability to coordinate the
operation of the gear-shift lever, clutch and accelerator in a
way that will start the car in motion and take it through the
gear changes without jerk or j ar. The smoothly acting clutch
and Syncro-Mesh transmission with which the Cadillac car
is equipped provide the best kind of assistance for these
operations.
The following principles of gear shifting will
enable you to check up on your own driving habits.
Normally a car should be started in low gear. It will
move off more smoothly and pick up speed more quickly
and—with the Synchro-Mesh transmission—the shift into
second can be easily and quietly made.
Note:
Gear clash when shifting into low is caused
either by not pushing the clutch pedal all the way down
or by not waiting 2 or 3 seconds to allow the gears to
stop spinning.
The shift into second can be made as soon as the car has
gained enough momentum to travel 5 or more miles per
hour. The shift into high can be made at any speed above
15 miles per hour.
In moving the gear shift lever of a Syncro-Mesh trans*
mission, never jerk the lever. Always move it with a
steady deliberate motion to permit the synchronizing
mechanism to function.
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You have probably observed, in using your brakes, that
the pedal pressure and pedal travel required are both very
slight. This is due to the design of the Cadillac brakes with
their hydraulic linkage and their self-energizing shoe action.
Stopping the car, as you know, generates heat at the
brake linings and drums, and results in wear of the brake
linings. Maximum lining life can be secured by avoiding
emergency stops as much as possible. On approaching a
stop sign or red traffic signal, coast up to the stopping place
with the engine in gear and apply the brakes early with
gradually increasing pressure, releasing the clutch just be>
fore the car is brought to an easy stop.
Applying the brakes with the clutch engaged is essential
in slippery weather and it is advantageous at all times. You
must, of course, remember to disengage the clutch just before
you stop or you will stall the engine.
In bringing the car to a stop from high speeds, in stopping
on icy pavements, or in going down long hills, the efficient
way to slow up the car is by a succession of "snubbing" actions
of the brakes rather than by continuous pedal pressure.
It is better not to use brakes at all at extremely high
speeds except in case of emergency. If possible, coast down
to 50 or 60 M.P.H. before applying them.
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