Starting the Engine--How to hold the Steering-wheel--Various Speeds and Gears--How to start the Car--The Art of Throttling--The Use of Foot-pedals--Changing Speed--How to climb Hills--Running Downhill and on the Level--How to use Brakes--Skidding--Driving Backwards “_Fire in the heart of me, moving and chattering, Youth in each part of me, slender and strong, Light and tremendous I bear you along._” These lines, I feel sure, appeal to every motoriste as they exactly describe the little car in motion. Starting one’s engine is not the nicest thing about motoring when a woman is acting as her own driver and mechanician, but with the little cars no strength is required; it is only the big cars that need a swelling of muscle. There is a great knack in starting an engine, but this, once overcome, ceases to be hard work. In front of the car you will notice a handle. Push it inwards until you feel it fit into a notch, then pull it up sharply, releasing your hold of the handle the moment you feel you have pulled it over the resisting (compression) point. Unless starting a car fitted with magneto ignition, on no account press down the handle--always pull it upwards, smartly and sharply. If it is pressed down the possibility of a backfire is greater--and a broken arm may result. This, however, is not a common occurrence, and is one that is brought about entirely through carelessness on the part of the would-be driver. If the car has not been used for some hours it will sometimes be necessary to turn the starting handle two or three times--speaking from my own experience, three times is the maximum; it will usually start on the second turn. Of course in the winter it will take two or three turns, as the petrol freezes and takes longer to vapourise. The moment the engine is running you can get in the car and start driving. Hold the steering-wheel with both hands in the [Illustration: _Photo. H. W. Nicholls._ IN FRONT OF YOUR CAR YOU WILL NOTICE A HANDLE] manner and position in which it is most comfortable to yourself. Keep a firm hold of it all the time and do not get into the habit of driving with one hand on the wheel: use both except when it is necessary to use either for changing speed, &c. Advance the ignition-lever forward and give more air by pulling back the “air” lever. When you have tried the car once or twice you will easily be able to gauge the distance these various levers should be moved. Remember the faster the engine runs the more air she will take, though when climbing a hill it is necessary to drive on a richer mixture (less air, with the regular supply of petrol) and cut off the air inlet almost entirely. You will soon understand the different sounds of the engine--and their prevention, or cure.