We take every driver around a short block to give the chance to get used to the controls and understand the foibles of each of our cars.
Each car goes out on hire with a comprehensive information pack and this includes an instruction sheet of how to operate the controls.
Details for our Triumph TR4A are shown below and can be printed off in PDF form by clicking on the button at the bottom of the page.
To Start:
When cold: Pull out the choke fully, press the accelerator once and then turn the ignition key. Press the accelerator again when the engine fires. Use choke for the first few minutes until the car warms up.
When warm: Do not touch accelerator, but turn the key till it fires, then press accelerator.
Controls:
Speed/revs: Please respect the age of this car and do not over-rev the engine. The engine pulls very well even at low engine speeds.
Gears: Gear layout is standard with Reverse to the right of fourth. The switch for Overdrive is the long right hand stalk on the steering column - up for disengaged, down for engaged. Overdrive works on 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears. For town driving or twisty country lanes it is often easier to stay in 3rd and switch in/out of overdrive than use 4th gear. Use overdrive on 4th where you would normally use a 5th gear.
Handbrake: Handbrake is of the fly-off type. To release, pull up and let go, without pressing the button. To apply, pull up and press the button in at top of travel. ALWAYS PARK IN GEAR.
Lights: The light switches are on the stalk to the left of the steering wheel. Switch down one position for sidelights, and two positions for headlights. Dip/Main Beam switch is on the floor to the left of the clutch pedal - where you would expect to rest your left foot.
Horn: The horn button is the separate switch to the bottom right of the dashboard.
Fuel tank: Fill to just below top of filler with PREMIUM 95 UNLEADED PETROL - the gauge will then read full. Capacity is 55 litres (12 gallons).
Boot: To hold bootlid up there is a stay on the left hand side. To close, lift bootlid a little until the stay releases, and then gently lower the lid. The spare wheel, wheel brace and jack are in the boot under the floor.
Surrey Top: The rear window is fixed. To remove the Surrey top, undo the poppers in the four corners. Unhitch the elasticated hooks from front and back. Unscrew the thumb screws in the top of the rear window - store these in the door pockets. Lift the frame and top off the car, fold in the stays and roll the hood up. Store in the boot. Re-fitting is the reverse of the above.
Picnic: If ordered, this is in the boot with a waterproof rug.
