1. Getting to Know Your Vehicle
Unit 3

2. Basic Vehicle Control
The instrument panel is the panel directly in front of you as you sit in the driver’s seat.
Location of the gauges and warning lights varies from one vehicle to another

3. Instrument Panel Speedometer (1) Tachometer (2) Odometer (3)
Speed you are traveling (mph and km)
Tachometer (2)
Engine’s revolutions per minute.
Odometer (3)
Total number of miles the vehicle has been driven
Trip odometer??

4. Instrument Panel Fuel Gauge (4) Temperature Light (5)
Amount of fuel in the tank
*Try to keep at least half full in cold weather.*
Temperature Light (5)
Warns you when the coolant in the engine is too hot.

5. Instrument Panel Oil Pressure Light (6) Alternator Warning Light (7)
Warns you when the oil is not circulating at the proper pressure.
*Check oil level now and then*
Alternator Warning Light (7)
Warns that the battery is being drained, not generating enough electricity to run the vehicle.

6. Instrument Panel Brake System Warning Light (8)
Warns you to release parking brake
AND/OR
If braking and the light comes on: part or all of your braking system is not working properly.

7. Instrument Panel Anti-Lock Braking System Light (9)
Tells you if your anti- lock braking system is working properly.
ABS keeps the wheels from locking (allowing you to steer) if you brake hard.

8. Instrument Panel Safety Belt Light (10) Air Bag Warning Light (11)
Reminds you to fasten your seat belt
Air Bag Warning Light (11)
Tells you if your air bags are working properly.

9. Instrument Panel Turn-Signal Indicator (12)
Tells others the direction you have signaled to turn
Use them when you are turning, change lanes or entering or exiting a parking space
It’s The Law

10. Instrument Panel
High Beam Indicator (13)
Indicates high beams on

11. Vehicle Controls
Vehicle controls characteristics and locations vary from one vehicle to another
Each control does the same thing in each vehicle

12. Vehicle Controls Steering Wheel Adjustment (2) Selector Lever (3)
Tilts the steering wheel up or down
Selector Lever (3)
On the steering column or console
Gear Selector
Automatic or
Stick Shift

13. Vehicle Controls Ignition and Starter Switch pg. 42 (4) Cruise Control
Start vehicle
Cruise Control
Maintain speed without keeping your foot on the accelerator

14. Vehicle Controls Parking Brake (5)
Keep the vehicle in place when parked
brake-release or lever or pedal

15. Vehicle Controls Foot Brake Pedal (7) Accelerator Pedal (8)
Slows or stops the vehicle
Turns on brake lights in the back of the car
Accelerator Pedal (8)
Located to the right of the foot-brake, it increases and slows a vehicle's speed.
BRAKE
ACCELERATOR

16. Stick Shift Accelerator Pedal Foot- Brake Pedal
Clutch Pedal (6) – lets you shift
gears 2 1 3

17. More Devices Head Restraints Padded devices on the backs seats
Help reduce whiplash injuries

18. More Devices Inside and Outside Rearview Mirrors
Rearview mirror adjust to see completely out the rear window
Left outside mirror
view to the left and rear
Right outside mirror view to right and rear

19. More Devices Turn-Signal Lever (10)
Located on the left side of the steering column
Up to signal a right turn or lane change
Down to signal a left turn or lane change

20. More Devices Horn (9) Hazard Flashers (11)
On the steering wheel and used to communicate with other roadway users
Hazard Flashers (11)
Located on steering column or instrument panel
Warn others that your vehicle is a hazard
Both front and back turn signals flashing

21. More Devices Sun Visor Seat Adjustment Lever
Located above the windshield to help control sun glare
Seat Adjustment Lever
Located at the lower front or left side of driver’s seat
*Could be lever in front*

22. More Devices Windshield Wipers and Washer (12) Light Switch (13)
Clean the outside windshield
Located often on the turn signal lever
Light Switch (13)
Controls headlights, tail lights, parking lights, instrument panel, license plate, dome light and high beams

23. More Devices Hood Release (14)
Located on the left of the instrument panel or to the left of the driver’s seat
Heater, Air Conditioner and Defroster (15)
Control the temperature inside your vehicle
Located on the right side of the instrument panel.

24. Gearshift Indicator
Drive (D) is the forward gear. Normally use while driving.
Park (P) locks transmission. Car should be in PARK when start engine.
Reverse (R) used for backing the car
*Overdrive allows the engine to run more slowly and fuel efficiently at higher speeds*
Neutral (N) the 0ut-of-gear position, used when car idling. The wheels are free to roll.
Low (L or 2 and 1) allows engine to deliver more power to wheels at slower speed.
Use to drive up and down steep hills (L1)
Used to drive in snow (L2)