1. UNIT 2 Basic Vehicle Control
Chapter 4:
Systems and Checks Prior to Driving

2. Lesson 1 – Comfort and Control Systems
Devices which can be adjusted and help make driving comfortable so you are able to concentrate on driving include:
Seat-position controls:
Change before you drive
Vehicles with an airbag sit at least 10 inches away
Steering wheel
Air conditioner and heater
Air vent

3. Control System Ignition switch – starts the engine (key)
Five positions:
Accessory
Lock
Off On
Start
Accelerator (gas pedal) – moves vehicle forward and control its speed
Press harder to go faster; ease foot off to gradually slow down
Brake pedal – enables you to slow or stop your vehicle
Power brakes require less foot pressure

4. Steering wheel – controls the direction of your car
Gear selector lever (gear shift) – lever used to switch gears with an automatic transmission
Attached to transmission
Located on steering column or center console
Car will only start in park or neutral
Five standard gear selections are:
Park – when not moving
Reverse – baking up
Neutral – car needs to be towed
Drive – moving forward
Low/overdrive gear – allows the engine
to run more slowly and fuel efficiently
at high speeds

5. Gearshift for manual transmission (stick shift)
Clutch – third foot pedal located to the left of the brake pedal
You must be able to work the gas pedal, brake pedal and clutch in order to manually switch gears
Gearshift may have anywhere from three to six forward speed positions
Parking brake (emergency brake) – keeps a vehicle from rolling away after it is parked
Small pedal on the floor or a hand lever in center console
Used when car is in park or when parking on a hill
Cruise control – lets you maintain a constant speed without keeping your foot on the accelerator
Only use during the day on clear, dry roads with little traffic
Often leads to a person being less alert

6. Lesson 2 – Visibility and Protective Systems
Lights:
Headlights, Taillights, Brake lights, Side marker lights, Dashboard lights, Daytime running lights (automatically come on and stay on when the engine is running), fog lights
Help you see or helps you be seen by others
Mirrors:
Rearview mirror – located in the car and allows you to see out the back window
Side view mirrors – located on the side of the car and help you see along the sides of your car
Neither mirror allows you to see in your blind spot

7. Other devises which aid visibility:
Blind spots - Areas of the road that you cannot see while driving in the vehicle:
When planning a lane change you must:
Check your rearview and side view mirrors
Check over your shoulder (towards the lane you want to change to) and check your blind spot
Limit yourself to a quick glance to detect the presence of objects
Other devises which aid visibility:
Windshield wipers and washer
Sun visors
Defroster/Defogger – clear moisture from the windows

8. Features That Protect You
Active safety devices – Require the driver and passengers to take action to protect themselves
Seatbelts – keep you from being thrown from the car
Head restraints – protect you against a neck injury (whiplash)
Door locks – keep your door closed in a crash, keep people from breaking in to your car and keep children from accidentally opening the door
Passive safety devices – operate without the user having to do anything
Airbags – inflate automatically in a frontal crash
Antitheft devices – help ward off thieves (alarm)

9. Lesson 3 – Information and Communication Systems
Speedometer – shows how fast you are going
Odometer – shows number of miles the vehicle has been driven
Fuel gauge – shows fuel level
Alternator warning light – shows there’s a problem with the cars electrical system and you should turn off all unnecessary electrical devices (alternator provides electricity to keep the engine running)
Other warning lights – temperature warning light (engine is overheating), oil pressure warning light, brake warning light

10. Antilock Brake System (ABS) – designed to keep a vehicle’s wheels from locking when the driver brakes abruptly

11. Communicating With Other Drivers
Taillights – come on with the headlights and are always red
Directional signals –turn signals or blinkers
Emergency flashers – hazard lights
Turn signals flash at the same time
Used to warn other drivers that your vehicle is stopped on or near the roadway or that you are moving very slowly
Parking lights
Horn –used to alert drivers, pedestrians or cyclists to your presence or to warn them of danger

12. Lesson 4 – Checking Your Vehicle Before Driving
Surrounding area – children, animals, objects, fluid leaks
Wheels – tires, which way your front wheels are turned
Car body – damaged or missing parts, snow or ice on lights, mirrors and windows