Unit 3 Getting to Know Your Vehicle
Dec 15, 2015
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
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
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*