A few customers recently have reminded me recently that maybe I should write a little bit of the basics down.  Having been raised in on and around T's, I sometimes wrongly assume that others know how to safely operate these cars. 

What experienced T owners do by habit might be difficult for someone just learning to drive, like remembering the halfway down clutch pedal in a panic stop.

So here's the list, if you have a suggestion on how to improve this, please email me asap!

Tips on how to start a Model T

1. Make sure the gas tank is not empty and the shut-offs are in the "on" position.

2. Make sure that the battery is not dead or disconnected.

3. Pull the hand brake back all the way.

4. Turn the mixture knob 1/4 turn counter clockwise.

5. Move the spark lever up.

6. Move the gas lever 1/4 way down.

7. Turn the key on to the "bat" position.

8. Pull out the choke.

9. If your hand cranking, cup/palm the crank - don't wrap your thumb around it.

10. Crank the car over, release the choke after one 1/4 pull by hand or one "grunt" with the starter and continue cranking.  The car should start.

11. With the car running, bring the spark lever down about halfway

12. Move the throttle lever up to a slower idle speed.

13. As it warms up your going to turn the mixture know clockwise, if the engine stumbles you went too far.

Warm starts require less mixture adjustment (if any), probably no choking, but the rest of the basics are the same.

Tips on how to drive a Model T

< coming soon! >