Performing Basic Vehicle Maneuvers Mr. Millar PE II Steering your vehicle only requires minor adjustments. What is does it mean to over steer? ◦ Turning your steering wheel too much! ◦ Over steering will cause your vehicle to weave from side to side! What is under steer? ◦ Not turning your steering wheel enough! ◦ May continue too far in one direction before correcting! (onto shoulder of road!) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Hold the brake pedal down and shift to reverse. Turn your body to the right, and put your arm over the back of the passenger seat. Look back through rear window. (p.110 picture) Put your left hand at top/12 o’clock on wheel Release pressure on the brake just enough to allow the vehicle to creep backward slowly. Move wheel in direction you want car to go Keep foot on the brake as you back up! Right turn Right? Left? Stop? When would these signals be useful? Drivers must be able to execute the lane-change manuever smoothly and safely before they learn to pass other vehicles. Changing lanes helps you get a better view of the road ahead. Do not oversteer when changing lanes. You may lose control. See Picture on p. 112 for good and bad lane changes. 1. 2. 3. 4. Check traffic in the front and left-front zones. Check rear zones through the rearview mirrors. Signal and make a blind-spot check over left shoulder to check traffic. Increase your speed slightly as you steer smoothly into the next lane when clear. Cancel your signal and adjust your speed. Complete Chapter 6 Skills and application activity's 1. Use the diagrams 2. Pick the Hand and Arm Positions Making Turns and Turning the Vehicle Around What is hand over hand steering? ◦ Pulling the steering wheel down with one hand while your other hand crosses over to pull the wheel farther down. Steps to making a left turn: 1. Begin turn with balanced hand position. 2. Pull down with left hand. Right pushes the wheel towards the left. 3. Release left hand from wheel and cross it over the wheel at about 1 o’clock. 4. After making turn, relax grip. Either allow wheel to return to position or move it back manually. Push wheel up with one hand Pull it down with the other hand Benefit? ◦ Allows driver to keep both hands on wheel at all times! 1. 2. 3. Look for pedestrians and oncoming vehicles. Check rear zones for vehicles about to pass you. Plan turns well in advance. Be in correct lane to turn a block before you turn. Obey all traffic signs, signals, and roadway markings. Remember to YIELD to oncoming traffic. 1. 2. 3. 4. Position vehicle in correct lane. Signal ½ block before turn. Brake early to reduce speed. Check front zones for vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles. Slow down to 10mph before intersection. 5. 6. 7. Right turn – when bumper is even with curb Left turn – just before vehicle reaches center of intersection. Check blind spots. Turn into same lane you left. What is it? ◦ Turning lanes made midblock from center lane ◦ WATCH for oncoming traffic using lane. YIELD! 1. 2. 3. Check for traffic, pedestrians, parked vehicles, and other objects. Turn head to direction you will be backing. Keep both hands on wheel. Turn wheel RIGHT to go RIGHT. LEFT to go LEFT. Back up slowly. Unwind steering wheel to finish in straight position. What is a turnabout? ◦ Manuever for turning your vehicle around to go in the opposite direction! (U-turn) High risk manuever ◦ Must cross or back into traffic. Tips: ◦ Be sure local laws permit! ◦ Not near hills, curves, or traffic 1. Midblock U-turn 2. Back into driveway on right side 3. Pull into driveway on left side 4. Pull into driveway on right side 5. 3 point turnabout Consider these factors: Backing into alley or driveway is usually safest. Allows you to enter traffic forward. Only use 3-point turn when you are on dead-end street or on rural road with no driveways. ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Legal in the area? (many intersections ban U-turns. Amount of traffic Types of driveways available Need to enter traffic lanes forward or backward Lots of space to enter traffic Number of traffic lanes to cross 1. Test your knowledge 2. Identify the turnabout 3. Complete the Statements on Turning Procedures. Parking Requires: ◦ Speed control ◦ Steering control ◦ Accurate judgment 1. 2. 3. 4. Find space with lots of room for vehicle Avoid end spaces due to greater risk of being struck by other moving vehicles Avoid spaces near poorly parked vehicles Use reference points (part of car compared to outside of car) when executing parking maneuvers. Reference Point: ◦ Some part of the outside or inside of the vehicle that relates to some part of the roadway. Standard Reference Point: ◦ Point on vehicle typical for most drivers. ◦ Ex. Mirrors, center of hood Personal Reference Points ◦ Reference points on your vehicle you use that help you personally. May be different than standard. ◦ Ex. Wipers, door handles, or rearview mirrors. Parking diagonal to the curb ◦ Used in many shopping center parking lots. Right angle to curb (90 degrees) Parking parallel to curb Steps: ◦ 1. Stop 2-3 feet from front vehicle with bumper even ◦ 2. turn wheel 1.5 times ◦ 3. Straighten wheel when drivers mirror passes rear of front car. ◦ 4. When nose clears front vehicles bump turn wheel sharply. ◦ Cover brake at all times! Always turn the front wheels and use parking brake Wheels are different depending on uphill or downhill and with a curb or without. Always think about vehicle rolling away from traffic! Complete use the picture on p.24 of skills and applications