Unit 3Getting to Know Your Vehicle

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

Instrument Panel●Speedometer (1)

● 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??

Instrument Panel●Fuel Gauge (4)

●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.

Instrument Panel●Oil Pressure Light (6)

● 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.

Instrument Panel●Brake System

Warning Light (8)●Warns you to release

parking brakeAND/OR●If braking and the

light comes on: part or all of your braking system is not working properly.

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.

Instrument Panel●Safety Belt Light (10)

●Reminds you to fasten your seat belt

●Air Bag Warning Light (11)●Tells you if your air bags

are working properly.

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

Instrument Panel

●High Beam Indicator (13)●Indicates high beams on

Vehicle Controls●Vehicle controls characteristics and

locations vary from one vehicle to another

●Each control does the same thing in each

vehicle

Vehicle Controls●Steering Wheel

Adjustment (2)●Tilts the steering

wheel up or down

●Selector Lever (3)●On the steering

column or console ●Gear Selector●Automatic or Stick Shift

Vehicle Controls●Ignition and Starter Switch

pg. 42 (4)●Start vehicle

●Cruise Control ●Maintain speed

without keeping your foot on the accelerator

Vehicle Controls●Parking Brake (5)

●Keep the vehicle in place when parked

●brake-release or lever or pedal

Vehicle Controls●Foot Brake Pedal (7)

●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

Stick Shift1. Accelerator Pedal2. Foot- Brake Pedal3. Clutch Pedal (6) – lets you

shift gears

1

3

2

More Devices●Head Restraints

●Padded devices on the backs seats

●Help reduce whiplash injuries

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

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

More Devices●Horn (9)

● 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

More Devices

●Seat Adjustment Lever●Located at the lower

front or left side of driver’s seat

*Could be lever in front*

●Sun Visor●Located above the

windshield to help control sun glare

More Devices●Windshield Wipers and

Washer (12)● 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

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.

Gearshift Indicator

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)

Park (P) locks transmission. Car should be in PARK when start engine.

Reverse (R) used for backing the car

Neutral (N) the 0ut-of-gear position, used when car idling. The wheels are free to roll.

Drive (D) is the forward gear. Normally use while driving.

*Overdrive allows the engine to run more slowly and fuel efficiently at higher speeds*