Vehicle Controls, Handling and Basic Maintenance
Knowing the controls cold
You should be able to operate every control without looking: steering wheel, indicators, wipers, lights, horn, handbrake and pedals. In a manual vehicle, the clutch is the left pedal, brake the middle, accelerator the right. Understand the friction point for smooth starts on steep gradients, and use the handbrake to prevent rolling back.
Handling on gradients and bends
On a steep descent, select a lower gear to use engine braking and avoid riding the brakes, which can overheat and fade. On bends, slow before the corner, then accelerate gently through it. Do not brake hard mid-corner on gravel. Keep both hands on the wheel; do not coast in neutral downhill.
Basic maintenance checks
Before a long trip check tyres (pressure, tread depth, no cuts), engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, lights and wipers. Tyres need adequate tread to clear water; worn tyres cause aquaplaning and poor grip on gravel. Know how to change a wheel and where the jack and spare are. Warning lights on the dashboard - oil pressure, temperature, battery, brake - mean stop and investigate.
Breakdown procedure
If you break down, move off the carriageway if possible, switch on hazard lights, place a warning triangle behind the vehicle on a straight section where it can be seen, and wear a reflective vest if available. On narrow mountain roads, get passengers to a safe place away from the carriageway.
Traps in exam questions
- Coasting downhill in neutral saves fuel but is dangerous and wrong.
- Riding the brakes downhill is not the correct technique; use a lower gear.
- A red oil-pressure light means stop the engine, not "continue to the next town".
- The warning triangle goes behind the vehicle, on the road, not on the roof.
Rule of thumb
Gears for going down, brakes for stopping. On any long descent, drop a gear before you need it.