Chapter 3 Basic Vehicle Control

Fuel/Gas Gauge Instrument used to indicate the amount of fuel in a fuel tank.

Temperature Gauge designed to indicate the temperature of your engine’s coolant If it is too high, then the engine is overheating

Oil must circulate through the engine at proper pressure Oil Pressure There is something in the engine that is causing an obstruction. Its important to check your engine Oil must circulate through the engine at proper pressure

Alternator Gauge/Voltage meter If this light comes on You do not want it to be over over 15 you will want to get it checked If its under, your car might not have enough charge to start Monitor electrical system voltage as you drive

Brake system warning light Release the parking brake before moving If the light comes on while you are driving, it is notifying you that something is malfunctioning Brake to a stop, and have the car towed.

SPEEDOMETER measures and displays the instantaneous speed of a vehicle May not always be correct!!

TACHOMETER instrument that measures the working speed of an engine (especially in a road vehicle), typically in revolutions per minute.

ODOMETER Shows miles driven instrument for measuring the distance traveled by a vehicle. It’s a felony to mess with the gauge

Antilock Braking System (ABS) ABS Prevents the wheels from locking up (ceasing rotation) and avoiding uncontrolled skidding. If the light goes on ABS is not working. If brake light & ABS light goes on you are NOT safe to drive!

Safety Belt Light You must fasten your seatbelt

Air Bag Warning Light Airbag will NOT deploy!

Turn Signal Indicator Hazard Light

High Beam Indicator High beam is on! High beam should not be on unless you are in dark rural areas away from other drivers (you do not want to blind people!)

Blinking light -- severe engine issue (must check immediately!) Check engine light Blinking light -- severe engine issue (must check immediately!)

Tire Pressure

Cruise Control Maintain desired speed for highway or expressway driving

Ignition turn the key once, you power up the battery. This allows you to run the stereo, headlights, wipers etc. turn the key twice, you connect the spark plugs in the engine to the battery and the ignition coil. turn the ignition of the car all the way to the end, it powers the electric motor.

Getting into the vehicle Walk around the front of the vehicle toward the back. Do not open the door if there is oncoming traffic if you are entering from the street Check tires for proper inflation (cuts and wear & tear) Check behind vehicle for stuff on ground (or children) Check for fluid leaks (Gear oil, Motor oil, ATF, Water)

These steps will be important during the behind wheels exam! Inside vehicle checks These steps will be important during the behind wheels exam! Lock all doors Adjust the seat Head restraint Rear view and side mirrors Fasten safety belts – snugly! Make sure your instructor sees you check your mirrors!

Fun Fact!

Hazard flasher Let other drivers know that your vehicle might be malfunctioning or breaking down Hazard Light

Steering Positions 10 & 2 O’clock 9 & 3 O’clock Hand-Over-Hand Steering (wider turns) Push Pull Steering Turn your head (and gaze) to the direction you want to steer Shift indicators

Steering Positions Why do you think? Shift indicators

Selector Lever Positions P-Park R-Reverse N-Neutral Disconnects transmission from the wheel D-Drive L1, L2 (Lower gears) Towing (pulling a car) or going up and down steep hill Icy/ snowy road Park locks the transmission When should you start the car?

Identify the gear! P,R,N,D,L1&L2 Backing out of a parking space: Driving on a leveled road: Leaving a vehicle in a garage: Driving in the city in snowy conditions: Driving down a very steep hill: Towing your car:

Transmission The transmission make sure that the right amount of power goes to your wheels to drive at a given speed. It works by shifting gears

Manual Transmission Engage the clutch smoothly by controlling the friction point- the point where the transmission and engine engage and the vehicle begins to move. Brake pedal Parking Brake Clutch petal is pressed down allows the driver to change gear selections in the transmission You want to use your left foot for the clutch Accelerator pedal Gear Shift Indicator Clutch (change gears)

overdrive Overdrive is the highest gear (6th gear) This allows the vehicle to achieve better fuel efficiency

Semi-automatic Transmission You can change gears manually without the use of a clutch

Chapter 3 Skills and Applications Pages 9 and 12 Use your knowledge and your textbooks to complete the worksheets