speedometer, to tell you how quickly the vehicle is travelling in miles and kilometres per hour. It’s usually a dial, with a needle showing the speed, but it may be a digital display
direction indicator repeater light(s)
fuel gauge
high-beam indicator light (usually blue)
rev counter (on some vehicles), to tell you the engine speed in revolutions per minute (rpm)
warming-up coil indicator light (on diesel engines) • temperature gauge (may be a warning light).

Cruise control

This is a device, usually electronic, which enables the driver to select and maintain a fixed speed on the open road.

Use cruise control on your vehicle if it’s fitted. The sophisticated electronics in the engine management system precisely measure the amount of fuel the engine needs to work most efficiently for a given speed. If you use this where you can, it may reduce your vehicle’s fuel consumption.

Cruise control relieves the driver of the physical effort involved in keeping an even pressure on the accelerator pedal for long periods. It’s only suitable where changes of speed are unlikely to be required.

Normal control can be resumed immediately should the need arise. In most cases this happens as soon as the driver uses the accelerator, clutch or footbrake.

Adaptive cruise control

This technology uses radar to detect other vehicles ahead. Unlike normal cruise control, this system can automatically adjust your vehicle’s speed in order to maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle in front. This technology shouldn’t be relied upon, and a driver should use their judgement in maintaining a safe separation distance.

Speed limiter

This technology operates in a similar way to cruise control and allows the driver to set a maximum speed for the vehicle.

Like cruise control, it’s normally operated using simple switches mounted on the steering wheel. Whereas cruise control maintains a constant speed, a speed limiter prevents you from accelerating beyond the selected speed. You can slow down by taking your foot off the accelerator, as normal.

On some vehicles (particularly commercial vehicles), the maximum speed is fixed and the speed limiter can’t be adjusted by the driver.

Warning lights

Function

These lights help you to

drive safely
monitor the performance of the engine
protect your engine and other equipment against damage • see the functions selected.

Types of light

Many different types of light may be fitted, including

oil pressure light (often red) – this shows if the oil level is dangerously low or the oil isn’t circulating as it should be. It should light up as you turn the ignition on, but go out as the engine starts
ignition warning light (usually red) – if this comes on when the engine is running, it shows you have a problem with the electrical charging system
ABS warning light – this should light up as you turn the ignition on and may not go out until the car is travelling at 5–10 mph
brake condition warning light
water temperature light (or gauge) – this tells you if the engine is overheating • ‘doors open’ and/or ‘boot lid unlocked’ light • ‘parking brake applied’ light
airbag failure warning light – this indicates a problem with the system and is a safety risk, as the airbag may not operate in a collision
four-way hazard warning lights
rear fog light warning light
rear window heater indicator light
seat belt warning lights
fog lights/headlights/sidelights indicator lights
tyre pressure warning light – this tells you if the tyre pressure is below the recommended setting.

Choke

All vehicles with petrol engines have some form of choke. This reduces the amount of air in the air/fuel mixture, and helps to start the engine from cold. Most cars have an automatic choke but some older cars may have a manual choke. The further you pull the control out, the richer the mixture. You must push in the control as soon as the engine warms up.

A pre-heating device is incorporated in some vehicles with diesel engines. The starter should only be operated when the indicator light goes out (where fitted).

Previous Lesson

Back to Module