1. Chapter 3
Basic Vehicle Control

4. Fuel/Gas Gauge Instrument used to indicate the amount of fuel in a fuel tank.

5. Temperature Gauge
designed to indicate the temperature of your engine’s coolant
If it is too high, then the engine is overheating

6. Oil must circulate through the engine at proper pressure
Oil Pressure
There is something in the engine that is causing an obstruction. Its important to check your engine
Oil must circulate through the engine at proper pressure

7. Alternator Gauge/Voltage meter
If this light comes on
You do not want it to be over over 15 you will want to get it checked
If its under, your car might not have enough charge to start
Monitor electrical system voltage as you drive

8. Brake system warning light
Release the parking brake before moving
If the light comes on while you are driving, it is notifying you that something is malfunctioning
Brake to a stop, and have the car towed.

9. SPEEDOMETER measures and displays the instantaneous speed of a vehicle May not always be correct!!

10. TACHOMETER instrument that measures the working speed of an engine (especially in a road vehicle), typically in revolutions per minute.

11. ODOMETER Shows miles driven instrument for measuring the distance traveled by a vehicle. It’s a felony to mess with the gauge

12. Antilock Braking System (ABS)
ABS Prevents the wheels from locking up (ceasing rotation) and avoiding uncontrolled skidding.
If the light goes on ABS is not working.
If brake light & ABS light goes on you are NOT safe to drive!

13. Safety Belt Light
You must fasten your seatbelt

14. Air Bag Warning Light
Airbag will NOT deploy!

15. Turn Signal Indicator
Hazard Light

16. High Beam Indicator
High beam is on! High beam should not be on unless you are in dark rural areas away from other drivers (you do not want to blind people!)

17. Blinking light -- severe engine issue (must check immediately!)
Check engine light
Blinking light -- severe engine issue (must check immediately!)

18. Tire Pressure

19. Cruise Control Maintain desired speed for highway or expressway driving

20. Ignition
turn the key once, you power up the battery. This allows you to run the stereo, headlights, wipers etc.
turn the key twice, you connect the spark plugs in the engine to the battery and the ignition coil.
turn the ignition of the car all the way to the end, it powers the electric motor.

21. Getting into the vehicle
Walk around the front of the vehicle toward the back.
Do not open the door if there is oncoming traffic if you are entering from the street
Check tires for proper inflation (cuts and wear & tear)
Check behind vehicle for stuff on ground (or children)
Check for fluid leaks (Gear oil, Motor oil, ATF, Water)

22. These steps will be important during the behind wheels exam!
Inside vehicle checks
These steps will be important during the behind wheels exam!
Lock all doors
Adjust the seat
Head restraint
Rear view and side mirrors
Fasten safety belts – snugly!
Make sure your instructor sees you check your mirrors!

23. Fun Fact!

24. Hazard flasher
Let other drivers know that your vehicle might be malfunctioning or breaking down
Hazard Light

25. Steering Positions 10 & 2 O’clock 9 & 3 O’clock
Hand-Over-Hand Steering (wider turns)
Push Pull Steering
Turn your head (and gaze) to the direction you want to steer
Shift indicators

27. Steering Positions
Why do you think?
Shift indicators

29. Selector Lever Positions
P-Park
R-Reverse
N-Neutral
Disconnects transmission from the wheel
D-Drive
L1, L2 (Lower gears)
Towing (pulling a car) or going up and down steep hill
Icy/ snowy road
Park locks the transmission
When should you start the car?

30. Identify the gear! P,R,N,D,L1&L2
Backing out of a parking space:
Driving on a leveled road:
Leaving a vehicle in a garage:
Driving in the city in snowy conditions:
Driving down a very steep hill:
Towing your car:

31. Transmission
The transmission make sure that the right amount of power goes to your wheels to drive at a given speed. It works by shifting gears

32. Manual Transmission
Engage the clutch smoothly by controlling the friction point- the point where the transmission and engine engage and the vehicle begins to move.
Brake pedal
Parking Brake
Clutch petal is pressed down allows the driver to change gear selections in the transmission
You want to use your left foot for the clutch
Accelerator pedal
Gear Shift Indicator
Clutch (change gears)

33. overdrive
Overdrive is the highest gear (6th gear) This allows the vehicle to achieve better fuel efficiency

34. Semi-automatic Transmission
You can change gears manually without the use of a clutch

35. Chapter 3 Skills and Applications
Pages 9 and 12
Use your knowledge and your textbooks to complete the worksheets