Vehicle Operation Basics

Chapter 5

Automatic Transmission◦ Selector Lever Positions

Shift Indicator shows the gear position Park (P) Reverse (R) Neutral (N) Drive (D) Low (L1 and L2 or 1 and 2)

◦ Starting the Engine Make sure parking brake is set Make sure car is in Park If car has Fuel Injection, keep foot off the accelerator Turn ignition switch to ON, continue turning the key to start the engine, release the key as

soon as the engine starts Check gauges, warning lights, and fuel supply

5.1 Starting the Engine

Manual Transmission◦ Stickshift Gears

Neutral (N) – Used for Standing still or starting the engine

First (1) – Used to start the vehicle moving to a forward speed of 10-15 mph

Second (2) – Used to accelerate to a speed of 15-25 mph

Third (3) – Used for speeds of 25-40 mph

Fourth (4) – Used for highway driving. Speeds above 35 mph

Fifth (5) – Used for highway driving at speeds above 45 mph

Reverse (R) – This gear is used for backing

Starting the Engine

Manual Transmission◦ Friction Point

Point at which the engine engages the transmission

Downshifting – Shifting from a higher gear to a lower gear. Used to gain added control or gain extra power.

Riding the Clutch – Habit of resting your foot on the clutch pedal while driving. This cause clutch wear and can lead to expensive repairs.

Steering To control a vehicle’s direction of travel

◦ Hand Position 9 o’clock & 3 o’clock Two hands at all times gives you optimum control of

the vehicle◦ Tracking

A method of steering that allows you to keep your vehicle on the intended path of travel.

Look toward the center of the lane ahead and make slight movements with the steering wheel

5.2 Steering

Oversteering◦Turning the steering wheel too much

Steering

Understeering◦Do not turn the

wheel enough to keep the vehicle in the planned path.

Steering

Hand-Over-Hand◦1. Left Turn --- Opposite of right turn

◦2. Right Turn◦3. Getting the wheel back to driving

position

Steering

5.3 Backing Up

Backing Left and Right• Backing left - visual search pattern is

over left shoulder• Backing Right - visual search pattern is

over right shoulder• Steps to follow:

1. Before backing, check traffic

2. Back into your lane

3. Begin to unwind the steering wheel back to a straight position

Steering Straight Backwards Hold brake and shift to Reverse1. Turn body to the right and look backwards.2. Put Left hand on the top of the wheel. 12:00

o’clock position3. Release pressure from the brake just enough to

creep back slowly.4. Turn the wheel in the direction you want to go5. Keep foot over the brake at all times checking

traffic

Backing up Things to remember

◦ The front wheels have a greater turn radius than the back wheels The front will swing out farther than the back

◦ Backing up to the left or right, turn steering wheel in the direction you are backing Backing left, turn wheel left Backing right, turn wheel right

Driving Test◦ You will have to:

Back up within your lane Stay in lane Back up smoothly Look out rear windshield

Back around a corner (Turnabout)

Backing up

http://tosh.comedycentral.com/video-clips/parallel-parking?xrs=share_copy

Four Basic types of Parking◦ Curb◦ Parallel◦ Perpendicular◦ Angle

Entering and Exiting Parking Spots◦ Always check traffic ahead of you and behind you

Check mirrors and blind spots◦ Signal!

Other drivers need to know your intentions

5.4 Parking

Curb Parking◦ Easiest to perform

◦ Parking alongside a curb with no surrounding vehicles

◦ More room to maneuver

◦ Don’t have to back up to exit your parking space

◦ Park close to the curb so other vehicles don’t hit you

5.4 Parking

Parallel Parking

◦ Parking alongside a curb between two already-parked vehicles

◦ Extremely difficult

◦ Good steering and speed controls are essential

5.4 Parking

How to parallel park

◦ Pull up alongside the vehicle Rear bumper to rear bumper

◦ Turn wheel sharply to the right and begin to back up Aim car to the rear right corner of the parking space

◦ When your steering wheel is even with the front vehicle’s rear bumper, straighten out. Keep looking behind you but make repeated glances to make sure you front

bumper is clear

◦ Turn wheel sharply to the left when your front bumper meets the rear bumper of the car in front

◦ Slowly back up until you are parallel to the curb Make sure you are in the center of the parking space

Parallel Parking

ParkingParallel

Parking Pullout

Perpendicular & Angle Parking

◦ Most often found in parking lots and garages, and on some wide streets

◦ Choose a space with as much room as possible between other vehicles

5.4 Parking

Parking on hillsParking on a Hill Facing Up Hill

When parking up hill turn your wheels toward the centerline of the road.

Why?  If the vehicle would slip

out of gear the car would roll backward and stop

against the curb. If there is no curb turn the wheels toward the side of

the road.

If there is no curb turn the wheels toward the side of the road.

Parking on hills

Why?  If the vehicle would slip out of gear the

car would roll backward swinging

outward and roll out of the street.