Lesson Objectives

In this section we will learn about the following:

• Starting Tasks: Starting Engine, Engine Operation and Starting Maintenance Procedures
• Vehicle Operating Space: Front, Rear, Corners, Sides of the Vehicle (visible and hidden)

Starting Tasks

• Ensure parking brake is firmly set before starting the vehicle
• Place and keep right foot on the brake pedal
• Place key in ignition
• Gear selector should be in “Park” or “Neutral” if standard transmission
• Turn key position to “ON”
• Check alert lights and gauges
• Start engine
• Release the key immediately when the engine starts

After starting the engine, but before driving…

• Check the dash instrument panel for symbols, alert lights and warnings. As previously discussed these symbols alert the driver to the mechanical condition of the vehicle and warn of potential problems.
• Set Accessories. Turn on or adjust any needed accessories such as heat or air conditioning, headlights, wipers, defrosters, radio, etc.

Vehicle Operating Space

Vehicle operating space is the area around a vehicle, which is visible and not visible, from the driver's seat. Because this area is so large, all drivers must use reference points in order to judge a vehicle's operating space.

A driver can normally see the pavement or ground one car-length to the front, two car-lengths to the rear, one car-width to the left, and two car-widths to the right. To get a better understanding of the footprint of the vehicle and vehicle operating space, try this exercise.

Try This Exercise

To get an idea of the vehicle operating space, take some colored plastic cups to an empty parking lot. With the engine off, a beginning driver should sit in the driver's seat while the instructor stands outside the vehicle. The instructor should stand close to the vehicle, facing the driver, at various spots to the front, rear, corners, and sides of the vehicle. The instructor should back up until the student can see the instructor's feet. (The student can wave when they can see their feet.) Mark the spots with plastic cups.

This exercise will assist the student in determining the vehicle's operating space while driving and to help the student driver utilize reference points for both visible and non-visible areas around a vehicle.

Reference Points

Reference points are used to see some part of the roadway with a point on the vehicle, giving the driver an accurate picture of the vehicle's position. Using reference points effectively is a skill and technique for successfully maneuvering any vehicle in and out of traffic situations.

Factors to consider when determining reference points:

• Speed of the vehicle
• Seat position
• Speed at which the steering wheel is turned
• Vehicle type
• Driver height

Tracking

New drivers often struggle with “tracking” or the location of their vehicle in relation to the road. To stay in the center of the lane, a driver must find and use a reference point on the vehicle (like the front left headlight) to visually align with the centerline of the road.

It is important for the driver to look at a distance and avoid “staring” at the hood of the car or directly in front of the vehicle. Scanning the road ahead and to the sides helps maintain a steady lane position. “Tracking” issues should improve with practice.