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.