Vehicle Operation, Safety Features, and Pre-Trip Inspection
The pre-trip walkaround
A defensible pre-trip covers tires (tread at or above 2/32 inch, correct cold pressure, no bulges or exposed cord), fluid levels, lights including brake and reverse lamps, horn, wipers and washer fluid, mirrors and glass, seat belts, and the ground beneath the car for leaks. Inside: a firm brake pedal that does not sink, minimal steering play, gauge warning lights, and a clear view. Verify registration and inspection sticker before a road test.
Set-up protects the student
Seat position with a slight knee bend and roughly 10 inches between chest and steering wheel, head restraint top level with the top of the ear, mirrors adjusted to minimize blind spots, and belts properly routed. Child restraints must match height and weight and be installed tightly; a booster is not a substitute for a harness for a small child.
Safety features and their limits
ABS prevents wheel lockup - press firmly and steer, never pump. Electronic stability and traction control cut throttle and brake individual wheels but cannot exceed available traction. Airbags are supplemental and are dangerous to an unbelted or too-close occupant. ADAS features such as forward collision warning, lane keeping, and blind spot monitoring are assistants with documented blind spots, sensor fouling, and false positives.
Traps
Pumping ABS, quoting 4/32 inch as the legal tread minimum, or assuming a warning chime replaces a physical check. Watch for items implying a backup camera removes the need for a shoulder check. Rule of thumb: if a safety feature is named in a question, the correct answer usually states what the feature cannot do.