Basic Vehicle Control Chapter 3

Ford Taurus Instrument Panel

Instruments, Controls & Devices Instrument Panel – directly in front of you pg 41 gauges/warning lights Varies from car to car Speedometer – mph & kilometers per hour Tachometer – indicate rpm’s – revolutions per minute Odometer – indicates total number of miles driven Fuel Gauge – amount of fuel in tank Minimum ¼ tank except in winter min ½ tank Temperature Light – warns you if engine is too hot Oil Gauge – warns if oil is not circulating at proper pressure Does not tell you amount of oil in engine

Instruments, Controls & Devices - continued Alternator Warning Light – warns you if problems in autos electrical system – battery may be drained Brake System Warning Light – remind you to release parking break or braking system may not be working Antilock Braking System Light (ABS) – keeps brakes from locking – light indicates problem with system Safety Belt System – fasten your seat belt Air Bag Warning Light – air bag system not working properly Turn Signal Indicator High Beam Indicator -

Vehicle Control Steering Wheel Steering Wheel Adjustment Lever Selector Lever – used to change gears (P-R-N-D) automatic transmission Gear/Shift Lever – manual transmission Ignition – Cruise Control allows drivers to drive at a constant speed to cancel, tap brake Parking Brake Clutch Pedal – to the left of the brake Brake Pedal – push pedal or pull handle Accelerator Pedal Lock (when the ignition switch is turned to lock, the steering wheel and gear lever are locked.

Vehicle Controls continued Head Restraints (Padded devices on the backs of front seat/reduce whiplash) Mirrors Outside Mirrors Rear View Mirror Blind Spot Horn Hazard Flasher – located on steering column Warn others that you are in trouble Turn Signal Lever ( Right Up, Left Down) Windshield Wiper / Washer (use windshield washer solution) Light Switch Hood Release Heating / Air Conditioning Seat Adjustment

Ready to Drive? Outside Checks Objects in path of tires Oil /water marks Tires (make sure they are properly inflated) Direction of front wheels Clear windshield, windows, mirrors, headlights, taillights Check inside (unwanted passengers)

Ready To Drive? Inside Checks Lock all doors Adjust Seat (approx. 10” from steering wheel) Adjust head restraint (middle of back of your head) Adjust rearview mirror Adjust side mirrors Fasten Safety Belts and ask passengers to do the same

Driving with Automatic Transmission Selector Positions Park – locks the transmission Should be in park before you start driving and you should put it in park every time you stop driving NEVER shift into park when the vehicle is moving Most vehicles can’t remove the keys until the car is in park Reverse – used for backing Always come to a complete stop before shifting to reverse Back Up Lights come on (White in Color) Drive – Keep pressure on the brake while shifting to drive Overdrive – D with a circle around it - most cars automatically shift to overdrive at 40-45 mph Driving in overdrive saves fuel and can be used in all normal forward driving.

Driving with Automatic Transmission Selector Positions – continued Low (L1 – L2 or 1 – 2) Send more power to wheels at slower speeds L1 – going up or down steep grades or pulling heavy loads L2 – driving in snow

Driving with Automatic Transmission Starting The Vehicle Make sure the parking brake is set Make sure you are in park If the engine has stalled – you may start it in Neutral Fuel Injection Cars – keep foot off the accelerator Turn the ignition on – Release when you hear engine start Check Gauges, Warning Lights, Fuel Supply If you are unsure about whether or not the vehicle has started, press the accelerator once lightly.

Driving with Automatic Transmission Hand Position BALANCED 9 & 3 8 &4 Keep knuckles out some say thumbs out Steering Points Don’t aim right in front of you – Pick a target that is far Don’t use road lines

Driving with Automatic Transmission Moving (parked against right curb) Foot on brake Shift to Drive Release Parking Brake Check traffic ahead, rearview mirror Put on left turn signal Check ahead, mirrors, blind spot Release pressure on brake pedal and gently accelerate Check Blind Spot again Adjust speed to match flow of traffic Rest heel on the floor and pivot from brake to accelerator ALWAYS come to a full stop before changing gears

Driving with Automatic Transmission Stopping Check traffic before slowing Ease up on the accelerator Tap on brake lightly (signals intention to stop) Gradually, press on brake Ease up just before stopping Securing The Vehicle Shift to park Set parking brake Turn off ignition – remove keys – release brake Lock doors

Driving with Manual Transmission Must learn to coordinate using the clutch with the accelerator and gear selector Key: Engage the clutch smoothly and control the friction point Friction Point – Where you feel the engine take hold and car starts to move Most 4 or 5 speed Reverse – either upper left or far upper or lower right or left

Driving with Manual Transmission Guidelines: Read owners manual 4th-5th gear – for speeds over 35-45 / highway driving Neutral – standing still or starting the engine 1st gear – start vehicle – 10-15 mph 2nd gear – 15-25 mph 3rd gear – 25-40 mph Shifting from a higher gear to a lower gear is known as “Downshifting.”

Driving with Manual Transmission Using the Clutch Always push the clutch to the floor before starting or before coming to a stop Do not get in the habit of “Ridding the Clutch” Happens when you rest your foot on clutch while driving. Wears down the clutch Starting Parking brake on Clutch to the floor Gear selection in Neutral