---
title: 'Stop Starting Trouble: Maintenance Mike says, Here''s how'
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/stop-starting-trouble-maintenance-mike-army-1944/
description: 'Army vehicle-maintenance sheet: a grinning soldier in a garrison cap, ''Maintenance Mike'', holds a battery hydrometer over a battery.'
section: Collection
---

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3. Stop Starting Trouble: Maintenance Mike says, Here's how

[![Stop Starting Trouble: Maintenance Mike says, Here's how, 1944 US poster: Army vehicle-maintenance sheet](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/stop-starting-trouble-maintenance-mike-army-1944.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/stop-starting-trouble-maintenance-mike-army-1944.jpg)

# Stop Starting Trouble: Maintenance Mike says, Here's how

Army vehicle-maintenance sheet: a grinning soldier in a garrison cap, 'Maintenance Mike', holds a battery hydrometer over a battery, beside a numbered list of ten battery checks and a 'DO IT NOW!' line. The friendly named figure speaking in the first person is a plain-folks device; most of the sheet is instruction.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Plain folks](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/plain-folks/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
STOP
Starting
TROUBLE
Maintenance Mike says:
HERE'S HOW...
1 Check your battery at least once a week.
2 Test battery voltage or specific gravity.
3 Check electrolyte and replenish if needed.
4 Inspect battery case for cracks or leaks.
5 Check battery carrier for dirt or corrosion.
6 Inspect cable connections and mounting clamps.
7 Clean battery, vent caps, clamps, and terminals.
8 Protect the connections against corrosion.
9 Watch ammeter-be sure generator is charging.
10 Be careful not to run battery down with starter.
Get a copy of this new War Department
Technical Bulletin-TB ORD 67-on Stor-
age Batteries. Learn how they are made-
how they work-how to maintain them.
[picture of bulletin cover: WAR DEPARTMENT TECHNICAL BULLETIN, TB ORD 67, STORAGE BATTERIES; body text illegible]
DO IT NOW!
[seal: U.S. ARMY SAVE CONSERVATION PROGRAM]
[imprint:] Army Conservation Project No. 106-O-15
[imprint:] U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1944-O-594367
[show-through, illegible: reversed text behind the headline]
```

[← Stop him and the job's done](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/stop-him-and-the-jobs-done-1944/) [Stop. Stop stealing tools! That crew will need them in combat →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/stop-stealing-tools-1944/)

## More propaganda examples that use the same techniques

- [Trois Tetes sous l'meme bonnet (three heads under the same cap)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/trois-tetes-sous-le-meme-bonnet-1789/) (France · 1789 · Plain folks, Glittering generalities)
- ['This log cabin was the first building erected on the North Bend', Whig print by T. Sinclair, 1840](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/harrison-north-bend-log-cabin-sinclair-1840/) (United States · 1840 · Plain folks, Transfer)
- [Treeing Coons (pro-Polk cartoon), 1844](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/treeing-coons-polk-1844/) (United States · 1844 · Name-calling, Plain folks)
- [Zachary Taylor, People's Candidate for President (Currier banner), 1848](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/taylor-fillmore-peoples-candidate-1848/) (United States · 1848 · Plain folks, Glittering generalities)
- ['Little Mac.' (from the Democratic presidential campaign songster)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/little-mac-song-sheet-feeks-1864/) (United States · 1864 · Bandwagon, Plain folks)
- [The peoples' choice, H. Greeley G. Brown](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/peoples-choice-greeley-brown-1872/) (United States · 1872 · Bandwagon, Plain folks)
- [The working-man's banner. For President, Ulysses S. Grant, 'The Galena Tanner.' For Vice-President, Henry Wilson, 'The Natick Shoemaker.'](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/working-mans-banner-grant-1872/) (United States · 1872 · Plain folks, Transfer)
- [The Chappaqua farmer](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/chappaqua-farmer-1872/) (United States · Jul 1872 · Plain folks, Glittering generalities)