Basic Vehicle Control

Chapter 3

Ford Taurus Instrument Panel

Instruments, Controls &

DevicesInstrument Panel – directly in front of you pg 41• gauges/warning lights• Varies from car to car

Speedometer – mph & kilometers per hour

Tachometer – indicate rpm’s – revolutions per minute

Odometer – indicates total number of miles driven

Fuel Gauge – amount of fuel in tank• Minimum ¼ tank except in winter min ½ tank

Temperature Light – warns you if engine is too hot

Oil Gauge – warns if oil is not circulating at proper pressure

• Does not tell you amount of oil in engine

Instruments, Controls &

Devices - continued Alternator Warning Light – warns you if problems in autos electrical system – battery may be drained

Brake System Warning Light – remind you to release parking break or braking system may not be working

Antilock Braking System Light (ABS) – keeps brakes from locking – light indicates problem with system

Safety Belt System – fasten your seat belt

Air Bag Warning Light – air bag system not working properly

Turn Signal Indicator

High Beam Indicator -

Vehicle ControlSteering Wheel

Steering Wheel Adjustment Lever

Selector Lever – used to change gears (P-R-N-D) automatic transmission

Gear/Shift Lever – manual transmission

Ignition –

Cruise Control allows drivers to drive at a constant speed

to cancel, tap brake

Parking Brake

Clutch Pedal – to the left of the brake

Brake Pedal – push pedal or pull handle

Accelerator Pedal

Lock (when the ignition switch is turned to lock, the steering wheel and gear lever are locked.

Vehicle Controls continued

Head Restraints (Padded devices on the backs of front seat/reduce whiplash)

MirrorsOutside Mirrors

Rear View MirrorBlind Spot

Horn

Hazard Flasher – located on steering column• Warn others that you are in trouble

Turn Signal Lever ( Right Up, Left Down)

Windshield Wiper / Washer (use windshield washer solution)

Light Switch

Hood Release

Heating / Air Conditioning

Seat Adjustment

Ready to Drive?

Outside ChecksObjects in path of tires

Oil /water marks

Tires (make sure they are properly inflated)

Direction of front wheels

Clear windshield, windows, mirrors, headlights, taillights

Check inside (unwanted passengers)

Ready To Drive?

Inside ChecksLock all doors

Adjust Seat (approx. 10” from steering wheel)

Adjust head restraint (middle of back of your head)

Adjust rearview mirror

Adjust side mirrors

Fasten Safety Belts and ask passengers to do the same

Driving with Automatic

TransmissionSelector PositionsPark – locks the transmission

Should be in park before you start driving and you should put it in park every time you stop driving

NEVER shift into park when the vehicle is movingMost vehicles can’t remove the keys until the car is in park

Reverse – used for backingAlways come to a complete stop before shifting to reverse

Back Up Lights come on (White in Color)

Drive – Keep pressure on the brake while shifting to drive

Overdrive – D with a circle around it - most cars automatically shift to overdrive at 40-45 mph

Driving in overdrive saves fuel and can be used in all normal forward driving.

Driving with Automatic

TransmissionSelector Positions – continuedLow (L1 – L2 or 1 – 2)

Send more power to wheels at slower speeds

L1 – going up or down steep grades or pulling heavy loads

L2 – driving in snow

Driving with Automatic

TransmissionStarting The VehicleMake sure the parking brake is set

Make sure you are in parkIf the engine has stalled – you may start it in Neutral

Fuel Injection Cars – keep foot off the accelerator

Turn the ignition on – Release when you hear engine start

Check Gauges, Warning Lights, Fuel Supply

If you are unsure about whether or not the vehicle has started, press the accelerator once lightly.

Driving with Automatic

TransmissionHand PositionBALANCED

9 & 3

8 &4

Keep knuckles out some say thumbs out

Steering PointsDon’t aim right in front of you – Pick a target that is far

Don’t use road lines

Driving with Automatic

TransmissionMoving (parked against right curb)Foot on brake

Shift to Drive

Release Parking Brake

Check traffic ahead, rearview mirror

Put on left turn signal

Check ahead, mirrors, blind spotRelease pressure on brake pedal and gently accelerate

Check Blind Spot again

Adjust speed to match flow of trafficRest heel on the floor and pivot from brake to accelerator

ALWAYS come to a full stop before changing gears

Driving with Automatic

TransmissionStoppingCheck traffic before slowing

Ease up on the accelerator

Tap on brake lightly (signals intention to stop)

Gradually, press on brakeEase up just before stopping

Securing The VehicleShift to park

Set parking brake

Turn off ignition – remove keys – release brake

Lock doors

Driving with Manual

TransmissionMust learn to coordinate using the clutch with the accelerator and gear selector

Key: Engage the clutch smoothly and control the friction point

Friction Point – Where you feel the engine take hold and car starts to move

Most 4 or 5 speed Reverse – either upper left or far upper or lower right or left

Driving with Manual

Transmission

Guidelines: Read owners manual

4th-5th gear – for speeds over 35-45 / highway driving

Neutral – standing still or starting the engine

1st gear – start vehicle – 10-15 mph

2nd gear – 15-25 mph

3rd gear – 25-40 mph

Shifting from a higher gear to a lower gear is known as “Downshifting.”

Driving with Manual

TransmissionUsing the ClutchAlways push the clutch to the floor before starting or before coming to a stop

Do not get in the habit of “Ridding the Clutch”Happens when you rest your foot on clutch while driving.

Wears down the clutch

StartingParking brake on

Clutch to the floor

Gear selection in Neutral