drivers ed


Chapter 3: Basic Vehicle Controls



Instrument Panel / Dashboard

  1. Speedometer:tells you the speed in both miles per hour and kilometers 

  2. Tachometer:indicates engine revolutions per minute. Engine damage may occur if enters the red zone 

  3. Odometer:indicates total number of miles vehicle has been driven

  4. Fuel gauge:shows amount of gas in the tank. try to keep tank ½ full in cold weather to help prevent fuel line freezing  (occurs when moisture condenses and freezes inside tank ,can block flow of fuel) 

  5. Temperature light / gauge:this light warns you when the coolant in the engine is too hot 

  6. Oil pressure warning light:warns you when the oil is not circulating at the proper pressure , does not tell you the amount of oil in engine 

  7. Alternator warning light:electrical system in trouble , battery is being drained, examples of this are leaving car light on 

  8. Brake system warning light: two purposes , light reminds you to release parking brake before moving the vehicle , uf comes when driving or pressing foot brake , part of all of system in not working properly 

  9. Anti Lock braking system:keeps wheels from locking if driver brakes hard , if light comes on it indicates something is wrong with the system 

  10. Safety belt light: reminds you to fasten seat belt 

  11. Air bag warning light: informs you if airbags are in proper condition 

  12. Turn – signal indicators: tells the direction you are turing 

  13. High beam indicator: glows when high beams are on. 




Vehicle Controls:

  1. Steering wheel- controls the direction of the front wheels 

  2. Steering wheel adjustment- tilted up or down for better comfort

  3. Selector lever-used to go forward or reverse , located on the steering wheel or console. 

  4. console- compartment between the sheets 

  5. Gear shift lever(manual transmission) - in stick shift by moving shift lever to desired position 

  6. Ignition and starter switch-where the key is placed  

  7. Cruise control- lets you maintain your desired speed without keeps foot on accelerator 

  8. Parking brake- keeps you in place where parked, usually located on the far left, push down to set it and release it. 

  9. Clutch pedal- located in stick shift vehicle , located left of the foot brake pedal 

  10. Foot brake pedal- allows you to slow or stop the vehicle 

  11. Accelerator pedal- allows you to increase/decrease  the speed of vehicle