Performing Basic Maneuvers Driver’s Education Ch. 4 Performing Basic Maneuvers

Ch.4 Vocabulary Inside rearview Mirror- Outside Mirrors- Convex Mirror- Backing- Backing straight- Backing left or right? Turnabout- Angle parking- Perpendicular parking- Parallel parking- Reference point- Standard reference points- Personal reference point- Forward reference point-

4.1 Mirror Usage and Backing Procedures Using mirrors effectively is essential for getting timely and accurate information about conditions behind your vehicle. Driving larger vehicles makes good mirror-usage skills even more important.

Where are your mirrors? Each vehicle comes with three standard mirrors. They are the rearview mirror inside the vehicle and the side view mirrors outside the vehicle. Check your inside rearview mirror when you see something in your intended path of travel, and before and after making a turn at an intersection and to get an update on traffic behind you.

Another time to check your mirrors is? Before and after passing another vehicle, and before and after making a lane change. Always check few a few seconds don’t stare into it.

Outside mirror Before moving the vehicle to either side, check the outside mirror on the side to which you will be moving. You can check your blind spot by looking over your shoulder in the direction you wish you move. The best way to eliminate blind spots is by attaching convex mirrors to each outside mirror. A convex mirror has a curved surface outward like the exterior of a ball, which allows a wider view of the area to the side and rear of the vehicle.

Convex mirror

Backing up Backing is a high-risk maneuver because drivers cannot see behind their vehicles, in most vehicles they cannot see the pavement within 45 feet of the rear.

4 rules for backing up 1. Put your foot on the brake and shift to reverse. 2. Use a target to aim the car towards. 3. Check all three of your mirrors. 4. Travel no faster than a crawl by slightly releasing pressure on the brake.

When backing straight When backing straight put your left hand on the steering wheel at the 12:00 position. Put your right hand behind the passenger seat. When backing to the right turn the wheel to the right and look both ways. When backing to the left turn the wheel to the left and look both ways.

6 rules for straight backing 1. Hold the brake pedal down and shift to reverse. 2. Put your right arm over the back of the passenger seat. 3. Put your left hand at the top of the steering wheel at the 12 o’clock position. 4. Release pressure on the brake just enough to allow the vehicle to creep backward slowly.

5 and 6 5. While looking back through the rear window, move the top of the steering wheel toward the direction you want the back of the vehicle to go. 6. Keep your foot over the brake pedal while the vehicle is moving backward.

4.2 Basic Driving Maneuvers

Basic Maneuvers Performing basic driving maneuvers properly depends upon using speed control, steering control, and good visual habits with consistency. Being a safe and responsible driver requires communicating your intentions to others on the road. The most common method of communication is through the use of turn-signal lights. Develop the habit of signaling every time you plan to turn, change lanes, pull to the side, or reenter the traffic flow.

Hand signal for making a left turn.

Hand signal for making a right turn.

Hand signal to slow or stop.

Making turns Make left and right turns only after checking for traffic and pedestrians. When making a right turn check to the left and then to the right and begin turning the wheel when your vehicle’s front bumper is even with the curb line. When making a left turn check to the right and then to the left and turn the wheel to the left once the car enters the intersection to look into the lane you will enter.

Lane Changes Before deciding to make a lane change, consider whether it is necessary, beneficial, and legal.

Four steps when making a lane change 1. Check traffic in the front zones. 2. Signal and check your blind spot over your shoulder to see if any vehicle is about to pass you. 3. Increase your speed slightly as you steer smoothly into the next lane if it is clear. 4. Cancel your signal and adjust your speed.

Changing Lanes Change lanes as smoothly as possible! Before changing lanes check all zones for possible hazards. Make sure that you look far ahead in the lane of your intended path of travel and that there are no obstructions in either lanes.

Turning the Vehicle The safest way to turn your vehicle around is to drive around the block. A turnabout is when you turn your vehicle around to go in the opposite direction. Precautions you should use when deciding to use a turnabout. Be sure local laws permit the turnabout. Select a site with 500 feet of visibility in each direction. Not near hills or curves or within 200 feet of an intersection. Not in heavy or high-speed traffic.

There are 4 types of Turnabouts Midblock U-turn Back into driveway on the right side Pull into driveway on the right side Three-point turnabout

3 Steps in making a U turn 1. Pull to the far right edge of the road and stop. 2. Check the front and back, and your left-rear blind spot. If the front and rear are clear, signal and turn sharply left while moving slowly. 3. When the vehicle is headed towards your target area, recheck your rear and accelerate to the speed of traffic.

3 Steps for backing into a driveway on the right side. 1. Check behind you and check the driveway. Tap your brakes lights to signal to drivers behind you. 2. Shift into reverse and if it is clear, begin turning. Back only until the vehicle is straight. 3. Signal left and make the left turn when the path is clear.

Pulling into a driveway on the right side 1. Use the same procedures for making a left turn. 2. When traffic is clear, back out and stay as close to the curb as possible.

Three Point Turnabout This should only be performed where there will be no traffic that you cause to stop while you complete the turnabout. Steps for it: 1. Pull as far to the right side as you can. Check in front and behind you. Check left blind spot. 2. Turn the wheel left sharply and stop before curb. 3. Recheck traffic and shift to reverse. Turn wheel sharply to the right and begin backing as far as needed 4. Check traffic, signal left and move forward while steering towards your new target.

Parking Parking is a skill that you need to practice. To park easily, you need to control the vehicle with steering, braking and an understanding of reference points. Angle parking is used when you park your vehicle diagonally to a curb. It is often used in parking lots and shopping centers. When angle parking your vehicle should be at least 5 to 6 feet from the row of parked vehicles.

3 Types of Parking

Perpendicular/Parallel Parking Perpendicular parking is parking your vehicle at a right angle to the curb. Parallel parking is backing between two vehicles that are parked alongside a curb. Rules for parallel parking: Select a space that is 5 to 6 feet longer than your vehicle Your view often will be blocked as you begin to back in to moving traffic.

Reference Points A reference point is some part of the outside or inside of the vehicle, as viewed from the driver’s seat. A standard reference point is the point on the vehicle that is typical for most drivers. Some examples of standards reference points: sideview mirrors, hood ornament, or the center of the hood.

Personal Reference Points/Angle Parking A personal reference point is an adaptation of a standard reference point for one’s own vehicle. The forward reference point is when steering should begin during a maneuver.

5 Rules for angle and perpendicular parking 1. Check behind you. Check space to see if it is clear and legal. Tap brakes to warn drivers behind you. 2. Make sure you have at least 6 feet of side space away from the parked vehicles. 3. Quickly turn the steering wheel while the vehicle is moving slowly. 4. Line up with a target at curbside, straighten the car and tires. 5. Place the tip of the bumper even with the curb.

Parallel Parking Procedure: Flash brakes and signal right Stop about 2 to 3 feet away from front vehicle Do a rear bumper check When your vehicle is parallel to curb, straighten your wheels and stop before you touch the vehicle behind. Develop reference points. Slowly pull forward and center vehicle in space

Leaving a Parallel Parking Space The driver of both cars is responsible when leaving a parallel parking space but yield to all oncoming traffic. Back slowly turning wheels to right so the front end of your vehicle swings left Stop and turn wheels sharply left Signal a left turn

Who has to yield in this situation?

Parking on Hills Be sure your vehicle will not roll Always turn front wheels Set your parking brake

There are four different ways to park on a hill Uphill with a curb Uphill with no curb Downhill with a curb Downhill with no curb

Uphill Parking with a Curb Turn wheels sharply left Let vehicle roll back against curb Shift to park Set parking brake When leaving – signal, check traffic, accelerate gently

Uphill Parking with no Curb Pull as far off road as possible Turn wheels sharply right Shift to park Set parking brake When leaving – let vehicle creep backward while straightening wheels Signal left and check traffic Shift to drive, accelerate gently

Downhill Parking with no Curb Position the vehicle as far off the road as possible Turn wheels sharply right Shift to park and set your parking brake When leaving – backup a short distance and straighten wheels Signal and check traffic Shift to drive, accelerate gently into traffic

Downhill Parking with a Curb Position close to curb Turns wheels to right and let vehicle roll forward, resting tires against curb Shift to park, set parking brake When leaving – backup a short distance and straighten wheels Signal and check traffic Shift to drive, gently accelerate into traffic

Time to stop!