HOW TO DRIVE THE MAILSTER SAFELY

e [Music] the maer is a small lightweight three-wheel vehicle designed for safe driving models vary in appearance and have small mechanical differences but they all operate in the same manner however if you are accustomed to driving a four-wheel vehicle there are certain distinctions you must observe when driving the mailster this film will show you how to make the necessary changes in your driving habits so that you will become a safe maer driver first of all remember that the mailster must not be driven over 25 mph at any time use slower speeds in rain or snow on rough roads or when falling leaves cause streets to be slippery also reduce your speed to less less than 15 M an hour before any turn keep Within These reasonable speeds and you'll deliver the mail safely by mailster this vehicle has a capacity of 500 lb of mail keep the mail on the Shelf piled low both for Clear Vision and to prevent it from falling mail in the body compartment can be reached without leaving your seat this compartment closes and locks securely from the front as well as the back some models have sliding doors during hot weather the C canvas apron at the front may be folded back or removed on some models on others it may be slipped down in inclement weather side curtains may be closed to provide protection for driver and mail an armhold beneath the flap enables hand signaling when opening the side curtains roll the metal clasp inside so it won't catch on your clothes the steering mechanism is balanced keep both hands on the handlebars when driving so you have complete control of the mailster at all times it is unsafe to hang anything from the handlebars now let's take a close look at the controls used to operate the mailster on this model the handbrake is here the turn signal switch here this is the Flasher signal switch horn button windshield wiper switch light switch speedometer parking brake ignition switch accelerator foot brake clutch and dimmer switch this is the gasoline filler cap the choke the hand throttle a Kickstarter is here this is the oil dipstick and the manual gearshift is convenient to the right hand the starter button on this model is below the seat on the left hand side on other models the starter is Incorporated in the ignition switch you simply turn the key past the on position to operate the starter some models do not have a Kickstarter and the gearshift Arrangement is slightly different switch the lights on shortly after dusk the signal light switch is not automatic push it up to Signal a right turn down for left turn and turn it off manually after each turn the Flasher signal switch must be turned on and off off manually use this flasher only when necessary as a safety device on heavily traveled streets after you've made sure the mailster is in operating condition unlock the mail compartment with the ignition key and hold the door open with the catch place the mail for the beginning of the route on the Shelf then load the mail you will deliver first at the front of the compartment so you can reach it from your seat lock the door after you finish loading to be an efficient maer driver you must must learn to one start the engine correctly two get underway smoothly and three Drive professionally first let us see how to start the engine correctly before starting make sure the transmission is in neutral and that the parking brake is set normally you will use the electric starter when the engine is cold pull the choke Rod all the way out and the throttle Rod out about a quarter way now turn the ignition key to the on position and press the starter button push the choke rod partway in while the engine is warming up and then after the engine is idling push both the choke and the throttle Rod all the way in the maer is now ready to drive Drive should the electric starter fail use the manual starter when the engine is cold the choke Rod should be all the way out and the throttle Rod a quarter out operate the starter pedal once or twice until you feel compression then with the starter pedal at the top give a vigorous push down if necessary leave the choke Rod partway out until the engine warms up when the engine is idling properly push both rods all the way in if the engine becomes flooded push the choke Rod all the way in and pull the throttle all the way out turn the ignition on and crank the engine until it starts either with the electric starter or with the manual starter when when the engine starts regulate the throttle if the engine will not start report the fact to your supervisor now the second step to safe driving get underway smoothly observe oncoming traffic and and give the proper signal some MERS have the automatic disc type clutch which does not engage until engine speed is increased manual type clutches on others engage whenever the clutch pedal is in the up position always use the low gear to get underway from a standing position engage the gears with the clutch pedal shift into low release the handbrake let up on the clutch pedal then accelerate smoothly to get rolling be sure to give the proper signal as you turn into traffic get the maer up to 8 m an hour in low then press the clutch pedal close the throttle and move gear shift to neutral hesitate momentarily then shift into second release the clutch pedal and accelerate smoothly again never skip second gear continue in second until you're traveling between 12 and 16 M hour then once again press down on the clutch pedal close the throttle move gears to neutral hesitate momentarily then shift into third gear use all gears low second and third when driving now now release the clutch pedal accelerate smoothly and travel your route at speeds up to 25 M hour now the third step Drive professionally obey all city ordinances as well as State traffic laws always remember that 25 M hour is the maximum speed permitted for maester driving keep both feet in the cab at all times when driving and use the clutch only when necessary riding it causes excessive wear use the foot pedal to slow down and stop this pedal activates mechanical brakes on the two rear wheels of some models and hydraulic brakes on others on some models the mechanical brake lever on the left handlebar controls the front wheel mechanical brake apply it only after you apply the foot brake use gradual pressure so the front wheel won't slide or you may lose control of the vehicle use the parking brake whenever you stop to make a delivery this parking brake has a hand adjustment knob so you can take it up manually when it does not hold right place the brake lever in the off position and turn the knob to adjust it so the lever snaps to the on position do not adjust this brake too tightly for safe parking on a downgrade let the mster float forward until the front wheel rests against the curb to park safely on an upgrade let the maer roll back so that the rear wheel rests against the curb give the proper signal when turning into traffic from the curb and make sure the way is clear if you doubt that other drivers have seen your mechanical signals supplement them with hand signals if the mster is to stand for any length of time turn off the ignition switch so that the air cooled engine will not overheat otherwise shift the gear selector to the neutral position at each short stop and pull up the parking brake reduce speed when making turns or you may lose control of your vehicle always turn Corners at less than 15 M hour when circular driveways are available use them to make a delivery be extremely careful of pedestrians and children stop at the sidewalk before entering a driveway where vision is obscured Park perpendicularly to the driveway to prevent roll backs and make sure you set the parking brake after making the delivery complete the U-turn and stop before re-entering traffic travel in Reverse only when absolutely necessary children are attracted by the unusual size and design of the maer again be extremely careful when children are about make sure they're out of your way before you start moving reduce speed on slippery roads and on rough roads always signal your intent when turning or stopping use extra precaution in traffic signal that you are going to change lanes well before you change remember that the mail is small and may be hidden from view of other motorists be an efficient and expert maester driver start the engine correctly get underway smoothly and drive professionally the safe way the mailster is designed especially to help you deliver mail efficiently with the least amount of physical effort drive it right and it will serve you well [Music] [Applause] [Music]