a Speedometer, which indicates speed in both miles and kilometers per hour.
a Tachometer, which indicates the engine rotation in revolutions per minute (RPMs).
an Odometer, which indicates the total number of miles your car has been driven since it
was manufactured.
a Fuel gauge, which shows the fuel level in your car's fuel tank.
an Oil gauge, which shows oil level.
Warning lights are provided on your car's instrument panel. They light up in case of a serious
problem. There are three kinds of warning lights:
Oil Pressure Warning Light
Temperature Warning Light
Battery Low Warning Light
Temperature Warning Light/Gauge: This light activates when the engine
temperature or the radiator's coolant is too hot. In some vehicles, a needle gauge
indicates the temperature rising in the warning zone of HOT.
If this warning light goes on while you are driving, STOP as soon as possible at a
safe place and shut the engine off.
NEVER REMOVE THE RADIATOR CAP TO CHECK THE COOLANT LEVEL WHEN THE
ENGINE IS HOT. The coolant is at boiling temperature and under pressure. If the cap
is released, the hot coolant will release with pressure and can cause severe burns if
you are standing too close.
Oil Pressure Warning Light: This light goes on when the engine oil is not circulating at the
required pressure. Some vehicles have an oil pressure gauge that reads LOW when the engine's
oil pressure drops. If you see an oil pressure warning while driving, STOP immediately at a safe
place and turn off the engine.
Battery Low Warning Light: When this light goes on or the battery gauge reads LOW, the
power needed for your car starter is limited.
The steering wheel is located directly in front of the driver's seat. Turning the steering wheel
transmits force, which turns the wheels to determine the direction of travel. Whichever way you
turn the steering wheel, left or right, is the direction your car will travel.
The ignition is located either on the side of the steering column or on the
dashboard. It is a multifunction switch, into which you insert your key and turn to
energize the electrical circuits and activate your starter motor. Ignitions usually have
three positions or "notches," which serve different purposes. You turn your key clockwise to go
to a higher position, and counter-clockwise to deactivate it.The first position, which is closest to
you, is the off position. The second position causes the dashboard instruments to activate. The
final position starts your engine.
The accelerator is the far-right pedal located on the floor under the steering wheel.
This pedal controls the amount of gas being fed to the engine, which determines the
speed of the vehicle.
With your heel resting on the ground, use your right foot to push the accelerator.
Do not rev the engine. Push the accelerator gradually while your car speeds up.
The brake pedal is located on the floor to the left of the accelerator. When pressed, it applies the
brakes, causing the vehicle to slow down and/or stop. You must use your right foot (heel on
ground) to press the pedal and cause the brakes to engage. If your vehicle has standard brakes,
the pedal will move a little bit before it resists. If you have power brakes, you do not need to
apply as much pressure on the pedal to bring the car to a stop. The parking brake can be a pedal
operated by your left foot, a lever under the dashboard, or a lever to the right on the floor.
The parking (or hand) brake uses a cable directly connected to the brake mechanism to bring the
car to a stop if the regular hydraulic or air brake system fails. Most often, youll use it to keep
your car in place when parked.
The gearshift is either a lever protruding from the right side of the steering column or a lever on
the floor to the right of the driver. The gearshift changes gears to maintain proper speed. It
immobilizes the power train when parked. On cars with a manual transmission, the gear shift is
actually a stick shift (a handle with a knob at the top). When using a stick shift, you must learn to
synchronize gear shifting with pushing the clutch pedal, which prevents gear clashing when
shifting, building up speed, or slowing down.
The clutch pedal is found only in cars with manual transmission. The clutch pedal is located on
the floor to the left of the brake pedal. When pressed, it disengages the clutch which eliminates
the transmission of power from the engine to the transmission. When released, it smoothly
applies power through to the transmission. The clutch must be operated with your left foot,
again, with your heel resting on the ground.
The horn is usually located in a pad at the center of your steering wheel, but in some cars youll
find it as a button on the steering wheel, on the dash, or on the signal lever. Make sure your horn
is fully functioning and can be heard at a distance of 200 ft.
Your vehicle is equipped with both rear view and side mirrors. Make sure your mirrors are
properly adjusted before driving. The rear view mirror is located at the top center of your
windshield. It is rectangle-shaped and allows you to see what is happening behind you. You must
be able to view the highway at least 200 ft to the rear. The side mirrors are located on the car
door exterior of your vehicle on either side and allow you to view periphery traffic.
Lights are important because they allow you to see your surroundings, give others a way to see
you, and indicate to other road users your next move. Cars are required to have certain lighting
fixtures, and these generally have luminosity regulations. Make sure that your vehicle has these
fixtures in place and that they are fully functional.
Vehicles must be equipped with low-beam as well as high-beam headlights. Low-beams must be
turned on when it gets dark or in any moment of low visibility due to bad weather.
Your vehicle must be equipped with:
High-beam headlights (bright lights). Objects 450 ft ahead should be visible with use.
Low-beam headlights, which must show objects 150 ft ahead.
Two red taillights mounted on the rear, which must be visible from 1000 ft.
A white light that illuminates the license plate and makes it visible from 50 ft.
Two red stop/brake lights, which should activate when the brake is pressed and be seen
from 300 ft in the day.
High-beams are also located at the front of your vehicle and have a higher
luminosity for greater distance. High-beams are to be used when visibility is low.
However, you must not use high-beams in fog, as they only reflect the dampened
air and blind other drivers.
The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles lists the following requirements for
lighting on vehicles:
All vehicles must have at least one white light in front that is visible from at least 1,000 ft
away.
All vehicles must have two red lights at the rear that are visible from at least 1,000 ft
away, or one red light at the rear visible from 1,000 ft and two red reflectors visible from
600 to 1,000 ft.
Your car is equipped with turn signal lights on its four corners. On your dashboard, these turn
signals usually appear as green arrows pointing in the direction of the intended turn.
On most cars, the turn signal lever is located to the left of the steering wheel. Shifting the lever
up indicates a right turn and shifting it down indicates a left turn. Once the car turns, the signal
should turn off automatically, but if it doesnt, turn it off manually as soon as possible.
Your hazard lights warn other drivers of an emergency situation you may be encountering. All
four turn signal lights turn on when you activate the hazard lights. Consult your owners manual
for the exact location of the hazard light switch in your car.
Windshield wipers are very important because they allow you to see in rain or snowfall.
Functioning windshield wipers are critical in bad driving conditions.
On most vehicles, the windshield wipers are activated by a lever to the right of the
steering wheel. Usually, you can adjust the speed of your wipers to optimize
performance for the driving conditions.
Almost always, you can use the windshield wiper lever to dispense windshield wiper
fluid, which removes dirt obstructing your view. Using the windshield wiper fluid
lever allows you to clean the windshield while driving to immediately improve
visibility.
Although every driver needs some general knowledge of engine components, its still a
complicated machine that can be intimidating. Indeed, some engine comparments can be outright
confusing.
However, you should take a look under the hood and be familiar with some of the parts covered
here. And, you should have a general sense of responsibility for car maintenance. Your car
owner's manual will provide information about periodic maintenance schedules important to the
life and health of the engine.
Although all cars are not the same, here are some basic engine parts and their location. Check
your owner's manual to find out about the different features and functions of these components.
Seat belts are defined as active restraints because they work ONLY if you are wearing them.
The driver and front seat passengers must wear seat belts. Laws regarding seat belts apply to cars
manufactured from 1968 on and trucks manufactured from 1972 to the present.
Drivers are responsible for all passengers under 18 years of age. It is against the law to operate a
vehicle unless every passenger is restrained with a seat belt or child restraint seat. If a passenger
over the age of 18 fails to wear a seat belt, he or she will be charged with the violation.
According to the Florida Driver Handbook, the only exceptions to the seat belt law are:
Any person certified by a physician as having a medical condition that makes seat belt
use inappropriate or dangerous
Drivers delivering newspapers
School buses
Buses used for transportation of persons for compensation
Farm equipment
Trucks with a net weight of more than 26,000 pounds
Motorcycle, moped, or bicycle operators
Myth: Seat belts can trap you inside a car.
Fact: It actually takes less than a second to take off a seat belt. This myth is due to
the common fear of being trapped in a car that catches on fire or sinks in deep
water. However, a seat belt may keep you from being knocked out in a collision, and
your chances of escape will definitely improve if you are conscious.
Myth: Sat belts are good on long trips, but I don't need them if I'm driving around town.
Fact: Half of all traffic deaths happen within 25 miles of home. Don't take chances with your life
or the lives of your passengers. Buckle up every time you drive.
Myth: Some people are thrown clear in a collision and walk away with hardly a
scratch.
Fact: Your chances of surviving a collision are five times better if you stay inside the
car. A seat belt can keep you from being thrown out into the path of another car.
Myth: I'm only going to the store. My little brother or sister doesn't need a child's car
seat, anyway. It's too much of a hassle.
Fact: Car collisions are the number one preventable cause of death for children.
Buckle them up in an approved safety seat. It's worth it, and the law requires that
you do.
Most new vehicles have air bags to provide vehicle occupants extra protection in a
collision. They provide a protective cushion between the person and the steering
wheel, dashboard, and windshield. Note that seat belts and air bags are designed to
work together, and injuries may occur if seat belts are not used in air-bag-equipped
vehicles.
Air bags are passive restraints. They are stored in the steering wheel or dashboard
and inflate during a serious crash, usually a front collision that occurs at over 10
mph. To do its important job, an air bag comes out of the dashboard at up to 200
mph. This is faster than the blink of an eye. They take about 10 inches of space to
inflate. The force of an air bag can hurt those who are too close to it.
Air bag related injuries can be prevented by following these safety tips:
Driver and front seat passengers should sit as far back as practical, particularly people of
short stature. It is recommended that you sit at least 10 inches away from the air bag.
Everyone should wear both lap AND shoulder belts and remove any excess slack in the
belt.
Children 12 and under should ride buckled up in the rear seat.
If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward. This points the air bag toward your
chest instead of your head and neck.
Never place a rear-facing infant in the front seat if the air bag is turned on.
Types of Air bags:
1. Frontal air bags inflate to prevent vehicle occupants from hitting the interior of the vehicle in
moderate to severe head-on collisions.
2. Side air bags inflate to protect your head and/or chest when your vehicle is hit from the side.
There are of three main types of side air bags: chest, head, and head/chest combination. Side air
bags are designed to protect your head and/or chest in a severe side-impact collision. Unlike
frontal air bags, some of the side curtain air bags may stay inflated for several seconds during a
collision to provide additional protection in case your car rolls over.
Myth: Airbags are always safe.
Fact: The force of an airbag deploying at 200 mph can cause serious injuries and
even death if the occupant is sitting less than 10 inches from the steering wheel or
dashboard.
Myth: Airbags take the place of seat belts.
Fact: Airbags are designed to supplement the effectiveness of seat belts. They are
not designed to be used alone. Wearing a lap belt keeps you anchored to the car
seat. Your shoulder belt keeps your upper body from pitching forward and hitting the
airbag as it deploys.
Myth: Airbags cause more harm than good.
Fact: Although some deaths have been attributed to airbags, collision statistics
show that the death rate in vehicles equipped with airbags is 23 to 24% lower than
in comparable vehicles equipped with only seat belts.
Vehicles are equipped with head rest cushions (head restraints) at the top of the
seats which protect your neck and head in case of a collision. These provide support
to the neck and keep your head from going back forcibly.
Always make sure that the head restraints are properly adjusted. For maximum
protection, make sure that the upper head restraint is at least at eye level or above
ear level to avoid serious neck injury in a rear collision.
It is the responsibility of the driver transporting children to ensure that each child is properly
protected. A child restraint is a child seat with a safety harness which is fastened by vehicle seat
belts per the manufacturer's instructions.
Florida laws states that every driver, even if his or her vehicle isnt registered in the state, needs
to properly secure children five years old and under in a child restraint device
According to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles:
Infant carriers or child car seats must be used for children three years of age and younger.
A separate carrier, an integrated child seat, or a seat belt may be used for children ages
four through five.
For safety purposes, children should sit in an appropriate child restraint system in
the back seat. This eliminates the possibility of airbag-related deaths or injuries.
Studies show that children are up to 29% safer in the back seat.
Myth: My child is safest in my arms.
Fact: Children are never safe riding in the arms or lap of an adult. The force of a
collision pulls the child away from the adult. The adult's body can also crush the
child against the dashboard.
Myth: I should put my infant in the front seat, so I can keep an eye on him or her at
all times.
Fact: For many parents this is a concern, but the fact is that the back seat is the
safest place for a child of any age to ride. If your child has a health condition, then
two adults should be in the car when the infant is traveling, so that one can devote
their full attention to the road.
Children can be at risk if left unattended or unsupervised in a car, especially if the
car is running.
The interior of a car can heat up to dangerously high temperatures. Conditions like
this can cause injury or even death.
An Antilock Braking System simply keeps your base brakeswhether drum or
discfrom locking up. In vehicles not equipped with ABS, the driver can manually
pump the brakes to prevent wheel lockup. In vehicles equipped with ABS, the
driver's foot remains firmly on the brake pedal, allowing the system to automatically
pump the brakes.
The theory behind antilock brakes is simple.
A skidding wheel has less traction than a non-skidding wheel. If your brakes lock up
on wet and slippery roads or during a panic stop, you lose steering control and your
vehicle can spin. By keeping the wheels from skidding while you slow down, antilock
brakes benefit you in two ways: you'll stop faster, and you'll be able to steer while
you stop.
Rear wheel ABS prevents wheel lockup so that your car stays in a straight line. If your car has
ABS control on all four wheels, you also keep steering control. If you have steering control, it is
possible to avoid a collision by steering around hazards if a complete stop cannot be
accomplished in time.
The ABS engages when a wheel speed sensor detects impending wheel lock-up and prevents
skidding during emergency braking. When the ABS engages, your car will feel a slight
"shuddering"resist the impulse to take your foot off of the brake when this happens. The ABS
is working, and your job is to steer.
This computer program tracks a drivers steering with where the vehicle is actually going. When
ESP senses a disparity between the two, it selectively applies any one of the vehicles brakes to
reduce the discrepancy and help the driver retain control and stability.
These are designed to activate brake sensors that do not allow the wheels to spin. By controlling
wheel spin, the vehicle stability, steer-ability, and acceleration are improved. The process is
basically the reverse of anti-lock brakes and allows acceleration without loss of vehicle balance.
Also since the brakes can be applied to the drive wheels individually, engine torque can be
transferred through the differential from one wheel to another.
