Module 2: Vehicle Operating Procedures

Steps to include in pre-driving procedures:

-Have your keys in hand as you approach your vehicle. -Look underneath your car for problems. -Look around your vehicle. -Check the driveway, parkway, or street for children before backing up. -Look inside your vehicle. -Glance at your tires for issues -Make sure you'll be able to see clearly. Check the headlights, taillights, windows, and windshield. -Keep your eyes open for pedestrians and vehicles. -Make sure other drivers can see before you try to enter your vehicle.

Starting a vehicle is not rocket science, it's an essential step to driving. You won't be getting very far without the performance of a running engine. The following basic steps will help guide you through the process:

-Make sure the parking brake is set. -Verify that the shift is in the PARK position. -Put your foot on the brake pedal. -Insert the key and turn the ignition switch, releasing once the engine starts. -Glance at your dash, checking the gauges and warning lights. -Turn your headlights on. These above steps are for automatic transmission, there are a few other considerations for manual transmissions.

Common warnings and gauges:

-Safety belt light: This light serves as a reminder to buckle up before moving the vehicle. -Speedometer: Informs you of your vehicle's speed -Brake system warning light: This alerts you if the parking brake is still set -Fuel gauge: This shows how much gasoline is left in the tank. -Oil pressure gauge: When oil is not circulating at proper pressure in the engine, this light warns you. -Odometer: Usually located near the speedometer, this indicates the total number of miles on the vehicle.

Common warnings and gauges (2nd part)

-Turn signal indicators- These blinking lights flash to show which direction you have selected to turn. -High-beam indicator- Often shown in blue, this lights up when ignition is turned on, but then goes off, if the light stays on, this means something is wrong with the airbags. -Check engine light- Whether this light is blinking or steady, a technician should check it out. -Take a bit of time to find each of these devices and symbols in your car. It's also good to become familiar with the owner's manual for your vehicle as the manual will outline any information that is specific to the make and model that you are driving.

What keeps the windows free of moisture?

A defroster.

Abruptly, stopping should be avoided

If at all possible, it can be very dangerous. In an emergency situation where you must brake quicker than usual is an exception. In a normal situation, it is best to depress the brake pedal gradually.

What happens if you gradually accelerate?

It allows the engine to transition gears smoothly.

What is the purpose of the instrument panel?

It contains warning lights and gauges.

As soon as you enter a vehicle, the first step is to buckle up.

Make sure the safety belt is not twisted, but lays flat against you. In automatic cars, the shift lever has park, reverse, neutral, and drive as options. Usually just shifting the vehicle into park is enough to keep the car in place. However, a parking brake is used both in automatic and manual transmission vehicles to keep the vehicle stopped. Some parking brakes are located on the floor near the other foot pedals or in between the two front seats. If driving a car with a manual transmission, you should always engage the parking brake when parking.

What is operating space?

Operating space is the space around your vehicle to the front, rear, corners, and sides. Any space which your vehicle could potentially occupy is considered operating space. Before you begin driving, it is important to be aware of this space and if it is currently occupied. If another vehicle, object, or obstruction is already in the space, there would be no room for your vehicle to proceed into it. Before taking off out of a parked position, you should be able to accurately determine if you can safely move into a planned space in your path of travel. You should be aware that there are 2 kinds of operating space: Visible and hidden.

What are pre-driving procedures?

Tasks performed before and after entering your vehicle.

As soon as you touch the brake pedal,

The brake lights will turn on, alerting the drivers behind you that you are slowing down. Avoid following other vehicles too closely which will cause you to "ride the brakes". This refers to constantly or frequently applying the brakes. If you follow at a safe distance, you should have enough space between you and the vehicle in front of you to allow your vehicle to slow gradually by just releasing the gas pedal. Obviously, you should still use your brake as needed.

How do properly positioned mirrors help the driver?

They help the driver see all around the car.

What is the goal of pre-driving procedures?

To prepare yourself, your vehicle, and any passengers for travel.

How to reduce glare and identify blind spots?

To reduce glare when driving at night, change the inside mirror to the night setting. Flip up the lever at the bottom, which shifts the angle of the mirror and deflects glare from vehicle headlights. When you properly align outside mirrors, reflection from headlights won't be directed into your eyes.

What signal lever alerts other drivers of your intention to turn or change lanes?

Turn signal

How can you accelerate and stop efficiently?

When starting from a stopped position, it is vital to ease your foot on the accelerator pedal instead of "flooring" it. Gradually gaining speed will save on gas and allow the engine to transition gears smoothly. The tachometer indicates how many revolutions per minute (RPM) are occurring in the engine. If you often floor the gas pedal, you could raise the RPM's too high and cause damage to the engine.

Temperature light:

Will come on if your engine is running at an unsafe temperature. The coolant could be too hot, or there may be a leak. One way to prevent the light from coming on is to make sure there is enough coolant in your vehicle. Maintaining the coolant level, the radiator, the fan, and the water pump and hoses will help prevent your vehicle from overheating. Typically, when you go in for an oil change, these things should be checked as well.

Are pre-driving tasks really necessary?

Yes. These tasks are designed to prepare yourself, your vehicle, and any passengers for travel.

A blinking check engine light

means that immediate attention is needed. If the check engine light stays on, this does not necessarily indicate an emergency, but you should still get it checked out. It can mean some things, so it would be wise to have a qualified mechanic inspect it.

By regularly maintaining your vehicle, and bringing it in for normal checkups,

you can prevent serious damage and add years to its life.

What is involved in securing your vehicle?

Locking your doors, closing windows, and making sure your vehicle won't move.

It is advantageous to learn the "ins and outs" of a car before beginning to drive. You should be familiar with a vehicle's warning symbols and control devices. That way you'll know what action to take when a warning light comes on. Knowing the safety and control devices will equip you better as a driver. -All vehicles, from "beaters" to luxury cars, are operated with similar controls. Note some of the common vehicle controls and their locations:

1.) Accelerator pedal- This is located on the floor of the driver's side, to the right of the other pedals, and is used to accelerate the vehicle. 2.) Brake pedal- You will find this pedal on the floor of the driver's side, to the left of the accelerator pedal, it is used to slow the vehicle down or to stop completely. 3.) Steering wheel- As the name implies, this turns the front wheels, either slightly for lane change or a greater extent for a complete turn. 4.) Parking brake- Your parking brake keeps the vehicle in place when it is parked- the location of the parking brake depends on the vehicle. 5.) Shift lever- This lever selects a gear. This can be on the steering column or the console between the front seats. 6.) Cruise control- You may come to love this control on long trips. It allows you to maintain your speed without using the accelerator pedal.

A car can hydroplane in as little as...

1/10 of an inch of water.

Every vehicle is different and each driver's view is unique. This means you must become familiar with your particular vehicle's unseen boundaries.

Adjust your seat and steering wheel before adjusting your mirrors. Each driver's height is different and will affect his view of the road.

To properly manage operating space, during starting procedures you must _______.

Adjust your vehicle's mirrors.

Vehicle symbols:

Alerts drivers when something needs attention.

Blind spots

Areas of the road that are blocked from your view by your vehicle or mirrors. These spots are tricky because, while you think you see everything, the reality can be quite different. Correctly adjusting the outside mirrors as indicated above makes it almost impossible for a car to hide in blind spots. That way your eyes stay on the road. For the sake of safety, you should still glance over your shoulder to make a final check before making any lateral move.

You must also secure your vehicle from moving.

As a driver, it is your responsibility to make sure your vehicle does not harm other people or damage property. One way to do this is to make sure it will not move after you leave it. This involves setting the parking brake. Whether you are driving a manual or automatic transmission, this step will prevent your vehicle from moving or rolling. As a backup, it is wise to shift the gear to PARK. Now you can confidently leave your vehicle, knowing it will still be in the same spot when you return.

To use your steering wheel properly,

Be aware of your speed. If you are changing lanes, a slight, steady move of the wheel is enough to transition smoothly. However, if you are turning, you will need to crank the wheel farther, clockwise or counter-clockwise. Speed plays a factor in how well you can execute a turn. Always slow down as you are approaching a turn so you can gradually turn a wheel and not lose control around the corner.

What is the difference between visible and hidden operating space?

Keeping the space around your vehicle open will give you a cushion, or escape route, should an unexpected situation arise. when determining what space is truly open, you should consider space that is both in plain sight and highly visible to you, as well as the more hidden dangers that could be lurking in your blind spots. Not all space is equally visible, and you will have to learn how to check all possibilities before putting your vehicle in gear. Note the following visibility guidelines to help you: -Your visible space should include the ground 12-15 feet in front of your vehicle, 1.5-2 car widths to the right, and 0.5-1 car widths to the left. -Blind spots can include any space that is hidden due to your vehicle's design or sizes, such as narrow windows or extended trunks.

What switch controls the headlights and taillights?

Light switch

How can you position mirrors correctly?

Mirrors are adjustable. The inside mirror gives you the widest view and should be positioned so you can see the rear window of your car. The outside mirrors should be positioned so you can see the vehicles beside you. To align the outside mirrors properly, sit in the driver's seat, lean to the left, and rest your head against the window. Adjust the driver's mirror so you can see the left rear corner of your car. Now for the passenger mirror: Lean to the right and adjust the mirror so you can see the right rear corner of your car.

If the oil pressure light stays on, what does it mean?

Oil is low or the pressure relief valve is stuck.

Locking your doors

Protects you from intruders and also helps protect against ejection in the event of an accident.

Knowing how to respond will add longevity to your vehicle. Before you drive any vehicle, it is to your advantage to read the owner's manual. There are many symbols that, when lighted, indicate that something is wrong with the vehicle. In these instances, it is important to take your car to a technician to determine the root of a problem. Note some examples of common symbols:

Safety belt light: This stays on until you latch the safety belt. Alternator warning light: If you see this light, it means that there is not enough electricity to run the vehicle- the electricity is being used from the battery, which will eventually go dead. Anti-lock braking system (ABS) light: An illuminated ABS light tells you that there is a problem with the system. (If a driver brakes hard, ABS keeps the wheels from locking.) Airbag warning light- If the light stays on, this means something is wrong with the airbag. Fuel light- Will come on when it senses that your fuel tank is getting low. You should fill up when the fuel gauge reaches a quarter of a tank. Oil pressure light- Warns you when oil is not circulating at the proper pressure in the engine. It could mean the oil is low, that something is wrong with the oil pump, or that the pressure relief valve got stuck. A low or high reading is dangerous and you should not drive the vehicle until you have the problem fixed. It's important to get the vehicle checked out by a mechanic to determine the issue so you do not do any arm to the engine. A qualified mechanic can also figure out what is wrong if the temperature light comes on. When this happens, it means the coolant is too hot in the engine. Check engine light- Could blink or stay on, depending on what the sensors have detected. It is normal for the brake system warning light to be on if the parking brake is still set. However, if you are driving and it comes on, something is wrong with the brakes. If any of these lights stay on, they should be checked out by a technician to determine what is wrong.

What are some devices used for safety and comfort?

Safety belts are to keep you as safe as possible in the event of a collision. They restrain the body from being a projectile upon impact with another vehicle or stationary object. Head restraints are attached to the seats to reduce whiplash. Most seats have adjustment levers to position you in the best spot to drive. -Horns should only be used when necessary. They are to signal other drivers or pedestrians of danger. It is important that the vehicle's windshield wipers are in good working order. Your visibility is important whenever you drive, but especially in inclement weather. Mirrors are also for your safety, and not just looking at yourself. You should use them to see behind you and beside you on the road. The turn signal lever alerts other drivers of your intention to turn or change lanes. A light switch controls the headlights and taillights. Most vehicles come with switches to operate the heat or air conditioning in the vehicle. A defroster keeps the windows free of moisture.

What is the difference between an automatic and a manual transition?

The job of a transmission is to convert engine speed into power to turn a vehicle's wheels. There are several ways this conversion can take place. Gears inside are shifted automatically to provide optimum power and speed to the wheels in an automatic transmission. This is done using a clutch in manual transmission vehicles. This device connects the engine shaft to the gears. The engine must be separated from the transmission in order to skip the gears. This is accomplished by pressing down on a clutch pedal, and the driver can then select the correct gear. When the clutch is released, the engine and transmission can work together to apply the selected power to the wheels. -When starting a vehicle that has a manual transmission, these differences account for some changes in the process. One of these changes is which gear the vehicle should be in when starting. First, make sure you push down on the clutch. Then, instead of selecting PARK, you should shift to Neutral. This position will disengage the engine from the wheels. Making sure to press down the clutch again, you can now put the key in the ignition and turn to start the engine. -Make sure the parking brake is always engaged when starting, it'll help keep your vehicle from rolling when you are in neutral. It is good to remember that no matter which transmission your vehicle is, using the parking brake will keep your vehicle in place until you're ready to drive.

If an alternator warning light comes on, you may need a new battery.

The light indicates electricity is being used from the battery and soon you may be stranded with a "dead" battery. A technician can check your battery as part of your regular check-ups.

What does the alternator warning light mean?

The vehicle may need a new battery.

What determines your stopping distance?

The weight and size of your vehicle as well as the speed that you are traveling.

Before driving, what tasks will help you to be ready?

There are additional pre-start tasks that you should complete to ensure an enjoyable and safe journey. After you enter your vehicle, you should consider the following tasks: 1.) Lock all the doors. 2.) Put the key in the ignition, so you don't misplace it and have both hands free to make adjustments. 3.) Clean or defrost the windows as needed. 4.) Secure any loose items that could become projectile damages during an accident or quick stop. 5.) Adjust your headrest. 6.) Adjust your seat so you can comfortably reach the controls. 7.) Check and adjust all the vehicle's mirrors. 8.) Adjust air vents, windows, and temperature controls. 9.) Buckle up and make sure any passengers have fastened their seatbelts as well.

What type of maintenance may be needed?

You should check your oil on a regular basis to make sure you have enough. Changing the oil regularly is necessary. Check your owner's manual to see how often it should be done. If the oil pressure light stays on even after you have checked your oil, take your vehicle to a qualified mechanic to determine why the light stays on.

Whether accelerating, braking, or steering, knowing how to operate your vehicle's devices will help to make you a good driver.

You will also be more prepared in an emergency situation.

How does operating space relate to starting procedures?

Your vehicle comes equipped with tools to help successfully deal with the variables of visible and hidden space, your rearview and side mirror. By taking time to adjust your mirrors correctly, as part of your starting procedures, you can gain an almost complete view of the space around your vehicle. Your rearview mirror will aid you to see objects behind your vehicle, while the side mirrors can help reveal vehicles that may be hidden in blind spots to the sides or corners. Remember that even well-adjusted mirrors do not eliminate all blind spots, so always double check by looking over your shoulder. -Try practicing these procedures in a vacant parking lot. This will help you to become comfortable with mirror, blind spot, and over the shoulder checks.

When driving,

it's vital to know what's going on behind your vehicle. This is where the essential role of mirrors comes in. Your mirrors help you see what's around you.