1. Getting to Know Your Vehicle Unit 1

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

3. Information Systems Provide the driver valuable information about the vehicle. – Gauges – Warning lights (alert symbols) Located behind the steering wheel on the vehicle’s instrument panel.

4. Instrument Panel Devices 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 the current trip is. Some drivers use to help calculate gas mileage. Driver can reset trip meter. 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).

5. 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.

6. Common Warning Light Symbols SymbolMeaning 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. 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. 12 volt extension outlet. Located on the left side of the steering column, the lever is moved up to signal a movement to the right and down for a movement to the left. While the signal will cancel after a turn, the driver may have to cancel the signal manually after a slight turn. The signal is used to indicate a lane change by moving the lever halfway up or down with the thumb hooked on the steering wheel. Rear defroster. Alerts drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, that you are there. Always make sure you know where it is and it is working. Use a quick tap…don’t lean on the horn.

7. Common Alert Symbols 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. Symbol Meaning Hood release. This lever is usually located on the left side of the driver’s compartment under the instrument panel. In some vehicles it is located under or just to the right of the steering column. To open the hood, a second latch located under the hood of the vehicle must be released. Windshield wipers. This control is frequently located on the turn signal lever. Two switches are often involved, one that controls the speed of the wipers and a second that controls the washer fluid. Overdrive on/off indicator Fuse/Fuse Box Common Warning Light Symbols O/D OFF

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

9. Convenience Systems Your vehicle may have all, some, or none of these or others: – 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

10. Visibility Systems 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 operating vehicle) – Windshield Wipers & Washer Wipers have incremental settings. During winter months, keep washer reservoir filled with washer fluid that does not freeze.

11. Visibility Systems – Sun Visors – Defroster/Defogger Used to clear windows of fog Make ice easier to scrape during Winter – Rearview and Side-View Mirrors Should shine out into your blind spots, not at the side of the vehicle 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

12. Safety Systems Seat Belts – Everyone in the front seat; everyone under 18 Air Bags – Deploy in less than 1sec 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.

13. Control Systems Steering Wheel Ignition Gear Selector (Automatic) or Gearshift (Manual) Accelerator (gas pedal) Clutch (Manual only) Brake pedal Parking Brake – Used to keep vehicle from rolling when parked ;will not stop your car by itself.

14. Pre-Drive Tasks Unit 1

15. Pre-Drive Tasks Walk towards vehicle with key in hand – Allows you to be fully alert and aware of your surroundings Store items in the trunk/secure in bed of truck – Prevents theft and movement of unsecured items Even if you have to take a quick lap around it, check around the vehicle for: Children playing Pets/animals Random objects Underinflation of tires Broken glass (bikes, garbage cans, etc.) Body damage Direction of front wheels Fluid Leaks

16. Fluid Leaks Air conditioner runoff = small puddle; clear (water) Radiator leak = noticeably large amount of water Windshield washer fluid = blue (traditionally) Transmission fluid = pink/red Oil = brown/black Brake fluid= yellow/brown Antifreeze = green Gasoline = rainbow (in light)

17. Self-Check Check every 1-2 Months All interior and exterior lights Engine oil level, brake fluid level, and engine coolant level Lap/shoulder belts and seat latches for wear and smooth function Check Twice Per Year Air pressure in spare tire Power steering fluid level Parking brake for proper operation Hinges, latches, door weather strips, and outside locks (check and lubricate) Body and door drain holes (check and clean) Cooling system coolant strength Battery connections (clean if necessary) Transmission fluid level Professional Service Every 3,000-5,000 Miles Oil change/filter replacement Tire rotation/balance Every 15,000 Miles Automatic transmission fluid level Brake pads/shoes/rotors/drums, brake lines, hoses, and parking brake system Engine cooling system Steering linkage, suspension and, if equipped, drive shaft and ball joints Cabin air filter replacement, if equipped Every 30,000 Miles Exhaust system and heat shield Engine air filter and fuel filter replacement Accessory drive belts Automatic transmission/transaxle service, if equipped Under the Hood Checks

18. Driver Readiness Tasks Unlock doors Check traffic flow Enter vehicle Check passengers for safe entry Lock doors Place key in ignition (do not turn)

19. Starting Tasks: Adjusting Driver’s Seating Position Adjust so heel can pivot smoothly between foot pedals Allow at least 10” between steering wheel and driver’s chest Top of head restraint should be even with top of ear

20. Hand Position Eight (8) and Four (4)

21. Why 8 and 4 Now? Eliminates excessive steering –Oversteering/overcorrecting is the primary cause of young driver fatalities More stability control Protects forearms in the event of airbag deployment Reduces arm fatigue and back pain during long periods of driving Less wear on vehicle’s steering column

22. Hand-Over-Hand Steering How is it done? –Most of your parents probably use Issues –Arms sometimes cross –Sometimes, only one hand is gripping the wheel –Forearms are directly in front of wheel, in danger of being broken if airbag deploys –Steering is often jerky, rather than smooth

23. Push Pull Slide Steering How is it done? Why use? –Reduces excessive steering –Reduces oversteering in emergency situations –Reduces chance of injury during frontal crashes because arms do not cross in front of the air bag

24. Click it or Ticket Put on seat belt Make sure all passengers are buckled in also. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure everyone is following the law. – If a passenger who should be buckled is found to be unbuckled, the driver gets the ticket.

25. Child Safety Seats All children under age 8 must be secured in a child safety seat or booster seat. – Again, driver is responsible Children from birth to 1 year ride facing the rear. Children age 1-7 ride facing forward in a child safety seat or booster seat ** The safest place to install a child safety seat is the center of the back seat.

26. Starting Tasks: Adjusting Mirrors Rearview Mirror – Should frame back window, not look into backseat Side View Mirrors – Should shine out into blind spots, not at vehicle’s side. – BGE mirror settings Driver‘s Side – Place your head against the driver’s side window and adjust the driver’s side mirror so you can barely see the driver’s side of your car. Passenger Side – Move your head as close to the center of the car as possible and adjust the passenger’s side mirror so you can barely see the passenger’s side of your car.

27. Advantages of BGE Settings Visible space in the mirror doesn’t overlap – More space can be seen without turning your head Allows you to monitor the adjacent lane Blind spots are made smaller – Only need a quick glance into blind spot Greatly reduces glare from headlights of following vehicles

28. Traditional Mirror Settings Right Side Mirror View Left Side Mirror View Rear Mirror View

29. Right Side Mirror View Left Side Mirror View 15º Topic 3 Lesson 3 BGE Settings

30. Starting Tasks: Checking Warning Lights Turn key in ignition to ON. (Do not start car.) All lights on instrument panel should light up. Turn ignition to START. Check warning lights and gauges – If a warning light stays on, there’s a problem.

31. Ignition Switch

32. Starting Tasks: Final Steps Adjust climate control. Put your foot on the brake. Check parking brake: ensure that it’s off. – Either hand brake or foot brake Put vehicle in gear.

33. Automatic Transmission Vehicle changes gears on its own when it needs to. P: Park R: Reverse N: Neutral D: Drive 2: Low gear 1: Lowest gear

34. Manual Transmission Driver changes gears for the vehicle. Shifting patterns vary from vehicle to vehicle. 1: lowest gear R: Reverse