Controls, gauges and warning lights

By the end of this topic you can

• You can find and use the accelerator, brake and parking brake.
• You can operate lights, signals, wipers, washers, heater and defroster without looking away from the road.
• You can read the speedometer in km/h.
• You can explain what common warning lights mean and what to do.
• You can describe your car's driver-assist features and their limits.

What you need to know and understand

• Use your right foot for both the accelerator and the brake.
• In Ontario, headlights must be on from half an hour before sunset to half an hour after sunrise, and whenever you cannot clearly see people or vehicles 150 metres ahead. Other provinces word the hours a little differently, so check your own handbook.
• Daytime running lights are not a substitute for headlights in poor light, because they may not light up your tail lights.
• Warning lights come on briefly when you start the engine, then go out. One that stays on, or comes on while driving, needs attention.
• Red warning lights usually mean stop safely and check now. Amber or yellow usually means get it checked soon.
• Driver-assist systems such as lane-keeping or adaptive cruise help you, but you are still in control and responsible.

Controls you use every drive

• Accelerator (right pedal): controls speed. Press gently.
• Brake (middle or left pedal in an automatic): slows and stops the car.
• Parking brake: holds the car when parked.
• Gear selector: P, R, N, D in an automatic, or a gear lever and clutch in a manual.
• Turn signal lever: signals your intentions.
• Light switch and high-beam control
• Wipers, washers, heater and defrosters for front and rear windows
• Horn: a short tap to warn others

Common warning lights

• Oil pressure (oil can symbol, red): stop safely and switch off the engine. Low oil pressure can wreck the engine.
• Engine temperature (thermometer, red): stop safely and let the engine cool. Do not open a hot radiator cap.
• Battery or charging (battery symbol): the charging system has a fault.
• Brake system (often the word BRAKE or a circle with an exclamation mark): check the parking brake is off. If it stays on, get the brakes checked.
• Check engine (engine outline, amber): get the car checked soon.
• Tire pressure (horseshoe with exclamation mark): check and correct tire pressures.

Know your car before you need it

In a Canadian winter, you may need the front and rear defrosters, wipers and heater all at once, sometimes in the dark. Practise finding each one while parked. Learn what each driver-assist feature does and when it might not work, such as when sensors are covered in snow.

Common mistakes

• Looking down at the controls while driving.
• Relying on daytime running lights at dusk or in snow.
• Driving with the parking brake partly on.
• Ignoring a red warning light because the car still seems to drive normally.
• Trusting driver-assist features to drive the car for you.

Test yourself: Controls, gauges and warning lights

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.