Getting to Know Your Vehicle Driver Education Module 2 Topic 1

Vehicle Systems Information Systems Comfort & Control Systems Visibility Systems Safety Systems Control Systems

Information Systems Provide the driver valuable information about the operating status of the vehicle. Instrument panel devices – Gauges – Warning lights (alert symbols)

Instrument Panel In most cars, the instrument panel is located behind the steering wheel.

Instrument Panel Some newer vehicles may have the instrument panel in the center of the vehicle.

Gauges DeviceUsage Speedometer Shows speed in both miles per hour (MPH) and kilometers per hour (KPH). Odometer Keeps track of how far the vehicle has been driven. Driver cannot reset. Trip Meter Keeps track of how many miles since last reset. Some drivers use to help calculate gas mileage or distance of a trip. Driver can reset trip meter. Tachometer Shows how hard your engine is working in revolutions per minute (RPM). Fuel Gauge Indicates amount of fuel remaining in vehicle’s tank. Usually, a warning light will come on when fuel is extremely low. Be sure you know how much fuel is remaining in the vehicle when the light comes on; it’s not the same for every vehicle. **Other gauges may be in your vehicle’s instrument panel. These may indicate engine temperature, oil pressure, or how many RPMs your engine is performing (tachometer).

Speedometer: May be standard (shows speed in both miles per hour (MPH) and kilometers per hour (km/h), or digital (has toggle switch to view in either MPH or km/h.

Odometer: Keeps track of how far the vehicle has been driven. Driver cannot reset.

Trip Odometer: (Trip Meter) Keeps track of mileage since its last reset. Some use to help calculate gas mileage or distance of a trip. Driver can reset trip meter.

Tachometer: Tells how fast engine is running in RPMs. Especially important in vehicles with a manual transmission.

Located on your vehicle’s instrument panel. Two purposes: – Alert you to potential mechanical problems – Indicate that one of your vehicle’s features is activated AAA: Warning Lights – Click here Click here Warning Lights, aka “Alert Symbols”

The color of the light tells you what to do: – Red: DO NOT drive your car until the issue has been addressed. – Yellow: you may drive your car, but get the issue checked out ASAP – Green: informational, continue as normal Blue = exclusively used for high-beam headlights. Think of it as a “special” green.

Common Warning Light Symbols SymbolMeaning The alternator provides energy to run your car’s electrical systems and charge its battery. This symbol means the alternator is not working properly and your battery is not charging as it should. This symbol DOES NOT mean “low battery”. The vehicle is nearly out of fuel. Oil lubricates your engine’s moving parts and keeps them from grinding against each other. The oil pump pumps the oil under pressure from the oil pan to the engine’s moving parts. This symbol means the oil pressure is low and oil is not getting where it needs to be. This symbol DOES NOT mean “low oil”. Driving with this warning light on will ruin your engine. There is a problem with your engine temperature. Almost always, this means your engine is getting too hot, or “overheating”. Seat belt reminder The vehicle’s parking brake is deployed. In some vehicles will have the word “BRAKE” above the symbol. In others, the symbol is not used, only “BRAKE”. The vehicle’s high-beam headlights are in use.

Common Warning Light Symbols SymbolMeaning One of the vehicle’s doors is open. One or more of the vehicle’s tires has low air pressure. Traction Control (sometimes called Vehicle Stability Control, or VSC) When a driver begins to skid to the side (usually by taking a turn too quickly) and loses traction, the VSC will automatically slow the engine and apply the brake to wherever location it senses needs it. When you see this light, either the system is in use, or there is a problem with a part of the system. Power steering uses a hydraulic pump to help you turn your car’s wheels easier (the front of your car weighs over 1,000 lbs!). This light means that the power steering system is malfunctioning. Your car will still steer, but it will be MUCH more difficult. The vehicle’s air bag has either been deployed or there is a problem with its sensor. In some cars, this symbol does not appear, only the words “AIR BAG”. When the driver slams on the brakes, an anti-lock braking system (ABS) allows the vehicle to stop suddenly without its wheels locking up, causing a skid. This symbol means the ABS system is in use. Some older vehicles are not equipped with ABS. These flashing symbols indicate that the vehicle’s left or right turn signal is on.

Common Warning Light Symbols SymbolMeaning There is a problem within your vehicle’s engine. This symbol could mean a number of different things. When this symbol appears and stays lit, the vehicle should be taken to a mechanic to determine the problem. Alert SymbolMeaning This symbol indicates where the vehicle’s emergency flashers (hazard lights) are located. This symbol indicates that something is a safety alert. The symbol can be found many places in society, particularly in the vehicle’s owner’s manual. This opens the hood of the vehicle. This opens the trunk of the vehicle. Front windshield defrost Rear defrost Common Vehicle Symbols

Checking Warning Lights If something is wrong with your car, your warning lights tell you. – When you start your car, if a warning light remains on, there is a problem with whatever system the light is alerting you to. If your warning lights aren’t working properly, they can’t alert you to problems with your vehicle.

Checking Warning Lights To check warning lights: – Put your key in the ignition and turn to “ON” Do not start the car. – All warning lights should light up and remain on. – If a warning light does not light up, there is a problem with that warning light.

Comfort Systems Things that make the driver comfortable. – Seat position controls – Steering wheel adjustment controls – Climate control Heater, air conditioner, vents

Convenience Systems Things that are nice to have that make life easier. Your vehicle may or may not have these: – Trunk release/fuel door release Opens trunk or fuel door from inside car – Cruise Control Maintains vehicle at a steady speed while traveling Used when driving long distances DO NOT use during rain: increases risk of hydroplaning – Power Windows/Locks

Visibility Systems Things that help you see and be seen. – Seeing and being seen are critical to managing risk while driving. – Lights Parking lights, fog lights, low-beams, and high-beams Signal and taillights allow you to communicate with other drivers. Interior lights (use sparingly while vehicle is moving)

Visibility Systems – Windshield Wipers & Washer Wipers have incremental settings. During winter months, keep washer reservoir filled with washer fluid that does not freeze. – Sun Visors – Defroster/Defogger Used to clear windows of fog. Makes ice easier to scrape off windshield during Winter.

Visibility Systems – Rearview and Side-View Mirrors Should shine out into your blind spots, not at the side of the vehicle (BGE Settings) Do not eliminate 100% of your blind spots Never rely on them for backing up; use them as an aide – Horn Alerts other drivers to your presence

Safety Systems Things that keep you and your passengers safe. Seat Belts – Everyone in the front seat; everyone under 18 Air Bags – Deploy in less than 1sec, only in the event of a front-end collision Secret Life of Air Bags – Click here Click here

Safety Systems Head Restraints – To protect against whiplash, the top of the restraint should be even with the top of your ear Door locks – Some vehicles have child safety locks, which prevent back seat doors from opening from the inside.

Control Systems Things that actually control the vehicle. Steering Wheel Gear Selector (Automatic) or Gear shift (Manual) Accelerator (gas pedal) Clutch (Manual only) Brake pedal Parking Brake (emergency brake) – Used to keep vehicle from rolling when parked; will not stop your car by itself.

Automatic vs. Manual Transmission AutomaticManual Vehicle changes gears on its ownDriver changes gears for vehicle Gear selector (PRNDL)Gear shift (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, R) To go, select D for drive, and begin driving.To go, driver must cycle through gears, beginning with 1. Two pedals: accelerator & brakeThree pedals: accelerator, brake, & clutch Drive with one footDrive with two feet When you stop, press the brake.When you stop, press the brake and clutch. Doesn’t happen.  If the process isn’t performed correctly, the vehicle’s engine cuts off (embarrassing). Should use parking brake when parked.MUST use parking brake when parked. “Easy” (comparatively)Far more complicated (requires coordination) Takes practice.Takes LOTS OF practice.

Automatic accelerator brake foot rest

Manual accelerator foot rest brakeclutch

Driving a Manual Transmission How to: Click hereClick here

Know Your Vehicle(s) When learning to drive, you will likely drive more than one car. Make sure you are familiar with every car you drive: – Where instrument panel is – What warning lights are where – Where control devices are – Where headlights are Adjust settings for you every time. – Seat position, steering wheel, head restraint, etc.