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Story
February 25, 1958
The Farmville Herald
Farmville, Prince Edward County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Instructional article advising women drivers on handling common car issues like stalling, skidding, battery drain, and flooding, emphasizing self-sufficiency on lonely roads.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Car Stalled? Some Strange Noise Under The Hood? What Do You Do?
Even the most self-sufficient woman driver is somewhat at a loss although she'd hate to admit it, when her car stalls or some strange noise develops under the hood.
Most women have just one solution; they turn to the nearest man. But if you're stranded on a lonely road, or it's dark and you don't feel like waiting for some chivalrous male to arrive, it's wise to know some mechanical pointers.
Test your ability to take care of yourself in these situations.
1. You back into soft shoulders, sand or snow. You put the car into low gear to ease out, but your wheels spin you in even deeper.
2. You forgot to switch off the headlights. Now the car won't start.
3. You flood the motor and the car stalls.
4. It's a snowy or rainy day. You apply your brakes at an intersection and the car skids.
5. The streets are flooded and your brakes get wet.
What to do?
1. Try to create traction by digging the dirt or snow away from the wheels, and by placing boards or branches under the tires. Now try rocking the car as far forward as it will go, then quickly shift into reverse, then to forward. It will get you out probably. As a last resort, call a tow truck.
2. The battery is down, so turn off the lights, radio, heater and all other accessories. Try to start the car. If nothing happens, let it rest a few minutes and try again. If you have a car with a manual shift, try to start it with your foot on the clutch and the gearshift in neutral. Meanwhile, someone may come along to give you a push.
3. Turn on the ignition, put the transmission into neutral, press the accelerator all the way to the floor—and then use the starter. Once the engine starts, gun the accelerator for a short time until the engine roars.
4 & 5. Don't panic and don't jam on the brakes. Turn the steering wheel in the direction in which the car is skidding, slowly removing your foot from the accelerator. Apply brakes carefully. They may grab, causing you to skid. Drive slower than usual. If the brakes fail because the lining is wet, pump the brake pedal.
Even the most self-sufficient woman driver is somewhat at a loss although she'd hate to admit it, when her car stalls or some strange noise develops under the hood.
Most women have just one solution; they turn to the nearest man. But if you're stranded on a lonely road, or it's dark and you don't feel like waiting for some chivalrous male to arrive, it's wise to know some mechanical pointers.
Test your ability to take care of yourself in these situations.
1. You back into soft shoulders, sand or snow. You put the car into low gear to ease out, but your wheels spin you in even deeper.
2. You forgot to switch off the headlights. Now the car won't start.
3. You flood the motor and the car stalls.
4. It's a snowy or rainy day. You apply your brakes at an intersection and the car skids.
5. The streets are flooded and your brakes get wet.
What to do?
1. Try to create traction by digging the dirt or snow away from the wheels, and by placing boards or branches under the tires. Now try rocking the car as far forward as it will go, then quickly shift into reverse, then to forward. It will get you out probably. As a last resort, call a tow truck.
2. The battery is down, so turn off the lights, radio, heater and all other accessories. Try to start the car. If nothing happens, let it rest a few minutes and try again. If you have a car with a manual shift, try to start it with your foot on the clutch and the gearshift in neutral. Meanwhile, someone may come along to give you a push.
3. Turn on the ignition, put the transmission into neutral, press the accelerator all the way to the floor—and then use the starter. Once the engine starts, gun the accelerator for a short time until the engine roars.
4 & 5. Don't panic and don't jam on the brakes. Turn the steering wheel in the direction in which the car is skidding, slowly removing your foot from the accelerator. Apply brakes carefully. They may grab, causing you to skid. Drive slower than usual. If the brakes fail because the lining is wet, pump the brake pedal.
What sub-type of article is it?
Instructional Advice
Self Help Guide
What keywords are associated?
Car Stall
Brake Skid
Battery Drain
Flooded Motor
Women Drivers
Self Sufficiency
Roadside Assistance
Where did it happen?
Lonely Road
Story Details
Location
Lonely Road
Story Details
Presents five common car trouble scenarios for women drivers and provides step-by-step mechanical solutions to resolve them independently, promoting self-reliance over waiting for male assistance.