•D

Driving Safety and Maintenance

Windshield Wipers

  • Most cars have the windshield wiper lever to the right of the steering wheel.
  • To spray windshield wiper fluid:
    • Pull the lever towards you.
    • The windshield wipers will automatically start wiping a few times.
  • OFF position: Windshield wipers are off.
  • Mist mode:
    • Push the lever up.
    • The windshield wipers will go a few times.
    • Flick it up and release.
    • Can hold it up to keep them going until you release.
  • AUTO:
    • Automatically detects rain and turns on the windshield wipers.
  • INT (Intermittent):
    • Windshield wipers go with breaks in between each wipe.
    • Lever changes the speed.
      • Towards the plus sign: smaller break, faster pace.
      • Towards the minus sign: longer break, slower pace.
  • Low and High:
    • Continual wiping of the windshield wipers.
      • Low: slow speed.
      • High: faster speed.

Sun Visors

  • Can be moved up and down or turned to the side to prevent the sun from shining in the driver's eyes.
  • Sunglasses are highly recommended.

Defroster

  • Most cars have a front defroster for the windshield.
  • Some cars also have a rear defroster for the back window.
  • Clears moisture or frost from the front, rear, and side windows.
  • Heat from the defroster can also make it easier to scrape off ice from the windows.
  • Controls are usually on the dashboard.

Mirrors

  • Rearview mirror:
    • Adjust so that it shows the entire back window.
    • Should only have to move your eyes, not turn your head.
    • Day/night switch on the bottom to eliminate glare from high beam headlights.
      • Push the tab forward to tilt the mirror and reduce glare.
  • Side view mirrors:
    • Adjust to reduce side and rear quarter panel blind spots.
    • Blind spots are not eliminated, so you still need to turn your head to check.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

  • Automatic Braking System (AEB):
    • Detects an impending forward crash.
    • Helps avoid or minimize the crash.
    • First alerts the driver to take corrective action.
    • If the driver's response is not sufficient, the system may automatically apply the brakes.
  • Rear View Camera System:
    • Increases rear blind zone visibility an average of 45%.
    • Required on all new vehicles under 10,000 pounds as of May 2018.
  • Blind Spot Monitor:
    • Detects other vehicles located to the driver's side and rear.
    • Warnings can be an audible beep or a vibration in the steering wheel.
  • Lane Departure Warning System:
    • Warns the driver when the vehicle begins to move out of its lane, unless a turn signal is turned on in that direction.
    • Designed to minimize accidents by addressing driver error, distraction, and drowsiness.
  • Telematics:
    • A method of monitoring a vehicle by combining a GPS system with onboard diagnostics.
    • Can record and map where the car is, how fast it is traveling, and how the car is behaving internally.
  • Examples of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems:
    • Adaptive Cruise Control
    • Blind Spot Monitoring
    • Cross Traffic Detection
    • Driver Alertness Monitoring
    • Forward Collision Systems
    • Automated Emergency Braking
    • Lane Departure Systems
    • Night Vision
    • Parking Assistance
    • Communications
    • Vehicle to infrastructure communications
  • 20 carmakers have committed to making automatic emergency braking systems a standard feature on virtually all new cars sold in the US by 2022.
  • Backup cameras should supplement, not replace, visual checks.

Pedestrian Detection

  • AAA warns pedestrian detection systems don't work when needed the most.
  • Each technology must have a plan:
    • What purpose does it have?
    • What will it do?
    • What limitations does it have?
    • What won't it do?
  • Drivers need to be able to navigate the vehicle without the technology in case it breaks.

Safety Belts

  • Reduce the chances of injury.
  • Reduce the risk of serious injury and death by 50%.
  • Sit in an upright position.
  • Position the belt low over your pelvis.
  • Take up any slack.
  • Adjust the shoulder height so it isn't cutting across the neck.

Airbags

  • Work with safety belts to save lives.
  • Deploy in about three quarters of a second.
  • Hands should be at 9:00 and 3:00 to avoid injury from airbag deployment.
  • Some vehicles have side curtain airbags and outside airbags underneath the cowl of the windshield.
  • Secure cargo in the trunk to prevent it from becoming a projectile in a crash.

Door Locks

  • Manually operated locks on each door or electric locks controlled by the driver.
  • Childproof rear door locks are generally an option.

Head Restraints

  • Reduce the risk of whiplash from a frontal or rear end collision.
  • Adjust so that a line from the corner of your eye to the back of your head is centered on the headrest.

Driving Strategy

  • Organize your brain.
  • Decide and act.
  • Read the right speed for right now.
  • Eyes up, brain on.
  • Anticipate their next move.
  • Always have a big donut of space.

Assessing Surroundings

  • Pay attention to other vehicles, brake lights, and potential hazards.

Anti-Theft Devices

  • Ignition buzzer: buzzes if you leave your keys in the ignition.
  • Door locks: keep the doors locked in a crash.
  • Steering column lock.
  • Lock on your gas tank.
  • Factory installed or aftermarket alarms.

Instrument Panel Warning Lights

  • Tire Pressure Warning Light (TPMS): Pressure in one or more of your tires is too low or too high. Usually, tire pressure should be between 30 and 35 PSI.
  • Oil Pressure Light: Issue with your car's oil pressure system.
  • Traction Control Light: Vehicle's traction control system is activated.
  • Engine Temperature Warning: Engine is overheated.
  • Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light: Something is wrong with the anti-lock brake system.
  • Traction Control Malfunction: Vehicle's control system might have a broken or damaged sensor or some other malfunction.
  • Engine Warning/Check Engine Light: May appear for a variety of reasons.
  • Battery Alert: Issue with the vehicle's charging system.
  • Low Fuel Indicator: Running low on gas.
  • Automatic Shift Lock or Engine Start Indicator: Trying to shift gears or start your ignition without engaging the brake.
  • Seat Belt Reminder: Reminding you or your passenger to buckle up.
  • Airbag Indicator: Something is wrong with one of your airbags or the system as a whole.
  • Security Light: Something could be malfunctioning with the anti-theft system.
  • Fog Lamp Indicator: Fog lights are on.
  • Washer Fluid Indicator: Low on washer fluid.
  • Speedometer: how fast you are going in miles per hour

Instrument Panel Gauges and Indicators

  • Tachometer:
    • Measures engine speed in revolutions per minute (RPM) x 1000.
  • Electric Stability Control indicator: Shows whether the system is on or off.
  • Parking brake indicator: Shows when the parking brake is engaged.
  • Traction control indicator: Shows when traction control is off.
  • Safety belt reminder: Prompts you to put on your seat belt.
  • Battery light: Indicates a problem with the electrical system.
  • Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) indicator: Indicates whether your car has ABS.
  • Water temperature gauge:
    • H means it's overheating.
  • Fuel gauge:
    • E means empty.
  • Low fuel warning light: Indicates low fuel level.
  • Fuel port indicator arrow: Shows which side of the vehicle to put the gas in.
  • Cruise control indicator
  • Average speed
  • Compass
  • Odometer: Shows the number of miles the car has traveled.
  • Gear selection indicator (P, R, N, D, etc.)

Communication Devices

  • Headlights (low and high beams): Flash to yield the right of way or signal a truck driver.
  • Directional signals: Communicate your intention to turn.
  • Taillights: Enable other drivers to see you.
  • Emergency flasher signal device: Warn other drivers that your vehicle has stopped, is disabled, or is moving slowly.
  • Parking lights: Allow other drivers to see you when you're stopped along the side of the road.
  • Brake lights: Indicate when you're braking.
  • Backup lights: Turn on when your car is in reverse.
  • Horn: Alert other drivers, not to express yourself.

Exhaust System

  • Emits carbon monoxide, which can kill you.
  • Have it checked regularly.

Vehicle Maintenance

  • Know the location of:
    • Coolant reservoir
    • Engine dipstick
    • Air filter assembly
    • Drive belts
    • Battery
    • Windshield wiper fluid reservoir
    • Brake fluid reservoir
    • Automatic transmission dipstick
    • Engine filler cap
    • Power steering reservoir
    • Engine coolant reservoir
  • Check belts and hoses for loose connections, cracks, and frays.
  • Check wires for broken, loose, or disconnected wires.
  • Make sure battery cables are tightly connected and free of corrosion.
  • Regularly inspect:
    • Cooling system
    • Electrical safety brake system
    • Tire system
    • Suspension system
    • Fuel system
    • Exhaust system
    • Lubrication system
  • Visually check for:
    • Under-inflated and flat tires
    • New dents, scratches, or damage
    • Windshield breakage, cracks, and pits
  • Inspect exterior lights:
    • Headlights
    • Brake lights
    • Turn signals
    • Tail lamps
    • Backup lights
    • Plate lamp
    • Side markers

Tires

  • Made of grooved surface treads designed to grip the road.
  • PSI (pounds per square inch) stamp on the side of the tire indicates the recommended inflation pressure.
  • Properly inflated tires grip the road evenly.
  • Under- and over-inflated tires reduce traction and the ability to steer, accelerate, and decelerate.
  • If you have a new car, the PSI will be on the inside of your door panel.
  • Check the PSI with a tire gauge.
  • Tires are a composite made from fossil fuel.
  • Use your tire gauge at least once a month to check the pressure.
  • Check them when they are cold.
  • Keep a tire pressure gauge in your vehicle.
  • Have two thirty seconds of an inch of tire tread.
  • To test your tires for depth of tread:
    • Take a penny, place it upside down into the tread groove.
    • If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, you need to replace your tires.
  • AAA recommends four thirty seconds of an inch of tire tread.
    • Use a quarter. If you can see the top of Washington's head, AAA recommends you replace them.
  • Bald tires provide little or no traction on wet, icy, and snow-covered roads.
  • There is a uniform tire quality grading system.
  • Racing slicks are designed to provide superior grip on dry surfaces.
  • Smooth tires do double the risk of hydroplaning on wet surfaces.
  • Smooth tires are more likely to blow out.
  • Bald tires are twice as likely as new tires to go flat.

Checking Oil

  • Make sure your vehicle is on a flat surface.
  • Take the oil dipstick out, wipe it off, and put it back in.
  • Do this when the car has been standing still for at least ten, fifteen minutes.
  • Take the dipstick out, wipe it off, put it back in, count to three or five, pull it out, and look at the end of it.
  • If you look at the very end that went way under the engine, it'll say add or full, or it'll say safe or danger.
  • Find out what kind of viscosities of oil your car takes.
  • Find out what weight or viscosity of oil you need in your, owner's manual. It will also be on the engine oil cap.
  • You also should check your brake fluid, your windshield washer fluid, and your antifreeze coolant level.