1. Control Devices & Instruments
NV Driver Education Curriculum
Unit 3: The Driving Task
Presentation 2 of 7
TOPICS:
-Vehicle Controls
-Instrument Panel
-Gear positions

2. Essential Question… Discuss with your group for a couple of minutes.
Describe the safety checks you should perform before driving and why it is important to do so.

3. Be Advised
Location and description for all instruments and features are located in the Vehicle Owner’s Manual.
Car image from:
Manual image from:
Retrieved: 12/02/09

4. Vehicle Controls Locations may vary. Horn Turn Signal & Head Lights2 3 1
Locations may vary. 4
Horn
Turn Signal & Head Lights
Turn left, push down
Turn right, push up 1 2
Windshield Wipers
Adjust speed of wiper
Cruise Control
Set cruise (speed) control 3
Headlights image from:
Wiper image from:
Steering Wheel image from:
Retrieved: 12/02/09 4

5. Floor Pedals Accelerator Brake Clutch Dead Pedal Parking Brake
Far right, speed control
Brake
Left of accelerator, slow/stop
Clutch
Manual shift vehicles
Dead Pedal
Far left (or flat spot), to rest left foot
Parking Brake
Under dash (foot pedal) or by seat (hand lever) A B C P D
Floorboard image from:
Parking brake image from:
Retrieved: 12/01/09 P

6. Comfort Control Devices (HVAC)
Ventilation system controls interior climate
Temperature
Fan Speed
Air Conditioning (A/C)
Defrost
Recycle Air
Air Flow 1 2 3 1 6 5 4 2 3 4
Image from:
Retrieved 12/01/09 5 6

7. Other Devices Hazard Flashers Hood Release Trunk Release1 2 3 5 4
Hazard Flashers
Usually red in color
Hood Release
Sometimes confused with brake release
Trunk Release
Floor lever or dash button
Fuel Door Release 1 3 2 4
Brake/hood image from:
Gas/truck image from:
Hazard image from:
Retrieved: 12/02/09 5

8. Instrument Panel Speedometer Techometer Fuel Gauge Temperature1
Speedometer
Techometer
Fuel Gauge
Temperature
Odometer & Trip Odometer
Oil Pressure
Turn Signal Indicator Light
High Beam Indicator Light 1 2 3 4 2 3 5 4 5
Image from:
Retrieved: 12/02/09

9. Warning Lights ABS Alert Airbag Alert Alternator Charging
Brake System Alert
Check Engine
Low Tires
Open Door Alert
Seatbelt Alert
Image from:
Retrieved: 12/02/09

10. Symbols & Controls A. B. C. D. E. N. F. G. H. I. J. L. K. M. O. P. Q.
See Worksheet
THEFT A. B. C. D. E. N. F. G. H. I. J. L. K. M. O. P. Q. R. S. T.
Slide from Montana Driver Ed Curriculum
Answers:
A. Air-Bag ON/OFF Switch
B. Air-Bag Readiness
C. Anti-lock Brake System
D. Antitheft System
E. Auxillary Power Source (cigarette lighter)
F. Battery Charging System
G. Braking System Warning
H. Caution Possible Injury
I. Climate Control System
J. Door Lock/Unlock
K. Engine Oil Pressure
L. Engine Temperature Gauge
M. Fasten Safety Belts
N. Fog Lamps
O. 4-Wheel Drive Low/High
P. Fuel Gauge
Q. Fuses
R. Hazard Flashers
S. Headlamp Control Switch
T. Daytime Running Light indicator

11. Symbols & Controls NN. U. V. W. X. GG. Y. Z. AA. BB. CC. EE. DD. FF.
See Worksheet
NN. U. V. W. X.
GG. Y. Z.
AA.
BB.
CC.
EE.
DD.
FF.
HH.
II.
JJ.
KK.
LL.
MM.
O/D
OFF
ETS
Slide from Montana Driver Ed Curriculum
Answers:
U. High Beam Indicator Light
V. Hood Release
W. Horn
X. Ignition Switch
Y. Instrument Panel Dimmer Switch
Z. Lighter
AA. Master Lighting Switch
BB. Overdrive “Off”
CC. Parking Lights
DD. Power Side View Mirrors
EE. Power Windows
FF. Rear Window Defroster
GG. Electronic Traction System “off”
HH. Tilt Steering Wheel lever
II. Trunk Release
JJ. Turn Signal Indicator Lights
KK. Windshield Defroster
LL. Windshield Washer
MM. Windshield Wipers
NN. Cruise Control

12. Shift Indicator Positions
The shift indicator shows the gear position of an automatic transmission
Steering column
Instrument Panel
Console (show here)
Common positions are P, R, N, D, L P R N D L
Image from:
Retrieved: 12/03/09
*May also see:
2, 1; D2, D1; or L2, L1

13. Park (P) P = PARK Locks the transmission
Can only remove the key from the ignition when the lever is in PARK P R N D L
Image from:
Retrieved: 12/03/09

14. Reverse (R) R = REVERSE Used for backing up
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into REVERSE P R N D L
Image from:
Retrieved: 12/03/09

15. Neutral (N) N = NEUTRAL Allows the wheels to roll without engine power
If engine stalls while driving, must shift into NEUTRAL to restart the engine while moving P R N D L
Image from:
Retrieved: 12/03/09

16. Drive (D) & Low (L) D D = DRIVE For moving forward
Some with overdrive, shown as a D with a circle or square around it.
L = LOW*
For moving forward, in lower gear rations
For towing or going up and down steep hills D P R N D L
Image from:
Retrieved: 12/03/09
*May also see:
2, 1; D2, D1; or L2, L1

17. First cars with electric starters
Did You Know?
Final Thoughts
In 1902, Henry Leland created the Cadillac Motor Car Company.
After the wife of a friend was killed crank-starting her car, Leland began putting electric starters in the 1912 Cadillac models.
Ad Image from:
Retrieved: 12/02/09
Crank image from:
Retrieved: 01/04/10
1912 Cadillac (7 models)
First cars with electric starters