1. Basic Vehicle Operation
Driver’s Education Ch. 3
Basic Vehicle Operation

2. Ch. 3 Vocabulary Steering Wheel- Adjustable Steering Position-
 Shift Lever-
 Cruise Control-
 Accelerator Pedal-
 Brake Pedal-
 Parking Brake-
Shift indicator-
 Park-
 Reverse-
 Neutral-
 Drive-
 Safety Belts-
 Head Restraints-
Adjustable Steering Position-

3. Ch. 3 Vocabulary Continued
Mirror’s blind spots-
 Horn-
 Hazard-Flasher Control-
 Turn-Signal Lever-
 Windshield Wipers and Washers-
 Light Switch-
 Hood Release Lever-
 Heater, Air Conditioner and Defroster-
 Sun Visor-
 Seat Adjustment Lever-
 Fuel Gauge-
Temperature Light or Gauge-
 Oil Pressure Warning Light or Gauge-
 Alternator Warning Light or Voltage Meter-
 Brake System Warning Light-

4. Ch. 3 Vocabulary Continued
Speedometer-
Tachometer-
Odometer-
Antilock Braking System Light-
Safety Belt Light-
Air Bag Warning Light-
Turn-Signal Indicators-
High-Beam Indicator-
Check Engine Light-
Message Center-
Key fob-
Target-
Braking point-
 Wheel lock-up-
 Transmission-
Clutch-
Semi-automatic transmissions-

5. 3.1 Controls, Devices, and Instruments

6. Owner’s Manual and Instrument Panel
Read the owner’s manual to learn the location and operation of the devices for safety, comfort, and communication.
The characteristics and locations of vehicle controls vary from one model to another.
No matter where these gauges and lights are located their purposes are the same.

7. This is what controls the Front Wheels and to steer you need speed control.

8. Shift Lever and console
The shift lever is used to select a gear.
It is commonly located on the steering column or the console.
The console is the compartment mounted between the front seats in a vehicle.
Cruise Control is a device that lets you maintain your desired speed without keeping your foot on the accelerator.

9. The accelerator
The accelerator pedal is located to the right of the foot-brake pedal.
It is pushed down to increase speed.

10. The Brake Pedal
Pushing down on the foot-brake pedal slows or stops the vehicle.
Depressing this pedal also turns on the brake lights.
The parking brake keeps the vehicle in place when it is parked.
Push this pedal down with your foot to set the parking brake.

11. Picture of the Parking Brake

12. Shift Indicator
The shift indicator shows the gear positions of an automatic transmission.
P or Park locks the transmission.
R or Reverse gear is used for backing up.
N or Neutral allows the car to roll forward without engine power.
D or Drive is used for moving the vehicle forward.
1,2, L1, and L2 positions allow the engine to send more power to the wheels at lower speeds.
You should use these when you are towing heavy objects or going up and down steep hills.

14. Seat Belt/Head Restraints
Always wear your safety belt when your vehicle is in motion.
Some States require all passengers to wear safety belts.
Florida DOES! What is the fine?
Head restraints are padded devices on the backs of front seats.
Head Restraints help reduce whiplash injuries in a collision, especially if the car is struck from the rear.

15. Mirrors
The inside mirror shoes the view through the rear window of the vehicle.
The outside mirrors show views to the side and rear of your vehicle.
Even when these mirrors are adjusted properly there are areas around your car you cannot see called blind spots.
Glance over your shoulder to check your blind spots.

16. Horn and Windshield Wipers
The horn is usually located on the steering wheel.
In some areas, two taps on the horn convey a friendly message.
On the turn lever signal is the windshield wipers and the washers.
One switch usually operates both of these. The light switch is usually a knob or switch located on the left of the instrument panel or on the turn-signal lever.

17. Hood Release/Defroster/Sun visor
The hood release lever is located on the left side under the instrument panel and it releases the hood so you can check your engine.
Then you have to get out and pull a second lever to open your hood.
The defroster keeps the windshield and windows free of moisture.
Sun visors are located above the windshield. Pull the visor down or to the left to help reduce glare from a the bright sun.

18. Hazard or Flasher Lights
When your hazard flasher is on, both front and rear turn-signal lights flash at the same time. It is located usually at the top of the steering wheel column

19. Seat Adjustment Lever
The seat adjustment lever is usually located at the lower front or left side of the driver’s seat.
In vehicles with electric seats, the controls are usually on the lower left side of the driver’s seat or mounted on the door.

20. Instrument Panel/Fuel Gauge
The instrument panel contains gauges, warning lights, and sometimes a message center.
It is the panel directly in front of the Driver’s seat.
The Fuel Gauge shows the amount of fuel in the gas tank.
Temperature light or gauge warning light or gauge warns you when the coolant or the engine is too hot.
Oil Pressure Gauge or warning light warns you when the oil is not circulating at the proper pressure.

21. Alternator Warning Light
Alternator – a generator that produces electricity to power a vehicle’s electrical system.
Your vehicle’s electrical system is in trouble if this light comes on or the gauge shows “discharge.”
The alternator warning light or gauge warns that the battery is being drained.
The more electricity used the sooner the battery will be dead.

22. The Braking system
The braking system warning light warns you of two things.
1. The light reminds you to release the parking brake before moving the vehicle.
2. If the light comes on while you are driving it is telling you that all or part of the brake system is not working properly.

23. (Speed and Tach)ometer
Speedometer – a gauge that indicates how fast a vehicle is traveling in miles and /or kilometers per hour.
Tachometer – a gauge that measures an engine’s Revolutions Per Minute (RPM)
Damage may occur if the needle enters the red zone.

24. Odometer and Fuel Gauge
Odometer – a gauge that displays the total number of miles/kilometers that a vehicle has been driven since it was manufactured

25. ABS and safety belt light
Antilock Braking System Light tells you if the Antilock Braking System is functioning properly.
The ABS allows you to lock your brakes up and still turn the wheel.
Safety Belt Light reminds you to fasten your safety belt before moving the vehicle.
The air bag warning light tells you if the air bags are in proper working condition.
They come on when the vehicle is turned on.

26. Turn-Signal Indicators
These indicators tell you the direction you have signaled to turn.
The turn signal lever is located on the left side of the steering wheel column.
Push down to turn left and up to turn right.
The high-beam indicator light glows when the high- beam headlights are on. It is a blue light and to turn them off simply pull back on the turn signal lever.

27. Check engine/message center/ key fob
If your check engine light comes on you should have your vehicle checked by a service technician. Many vehicles have a message center light that provides drivers with important information. Typical reminders include change oil soon, low-washer fluid, and door ajar. A key fob is a hand-held control, you can lock or unlock your vehicle’s doors from a distance.

28. Inspection and entering
Inspect your vehicle and the area around it before you get in to drive.
If you get in your vehicle from a side street walk around the front of the vehicle toward the back.
Adjust the seat so you are at least 10 inches back from the bottom of the wheel.

29. Before Opening the Door
Checks to make:
1. Have your keys in your hand.
2. Look under the vehicle.
3. Look at and around the vehicle.
4. Look at the tires.
5. Check the Windshield, Windows, and Headlights.
6. Look inside the Vehicle.

30. Six steps for Starting the Vehicle
1. Set the parking Brake.
2. Make sure shift lever is in park.
3. Place your right foot on the brake pedal
4. Insert key and turn car on.
5. Check the gauges, warning lights, and fuel supply.
6. Turn on headlights if needed or they don’t come on automatically.

31. Steering
Steering is not just a matter of pointing the vehicle in the direction you want to go.
The two recommended hand positions are 9-3 and 8-4.
Steer toward your target.
Your target is a fixed object far out in the distance that appears to be in the center of the path you intend to drive.

32. Hand over Hand Steering
Hand over Hand steering is the best method to use when you need to make right turns, or to make quick steering actions to correct a skid.
Six Steps are:1. Begin with hands at 9-3.
2. For a right turn move right hand down to 5.
3. Move the left hand to 12 and pull it down to 5.
4. Cross the right hand over the left to the 12 and then 5.
5. Straighten the wheel.
6. To make a left turn do the opposite starting with the left at 9.

36. Braking Point
A vehicle’s braking point is the point at which the brakes begin to work and slow the vehicle.
Wheel lock up occurs when the brakes are applied with such force that the wheels stop turning and the tires begin to slide.

37. Transmission
The purpose of a transmission is to convert engine speed into power and to turn the wheels of a vehicle.
The purpose of the clutch is to connect the rotating engine shaft to the gears in the transmission.

38. Semi-Automatic Transmission
Many auto manufacturers are producing semi-automatic transmissions.
In these vehicles the clutch is being replaced with electronics that allow the driver to shift gears manually by merely moving the shift lever.

39. Always lock your car up!!