Basic Vehicle Control

1. Basic Vehicle Control Chapter 3

2. Ford Taurus Instrument Panel

3. 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

4. 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 -

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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.”

17. 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