Read the diagram from the operator’s position
Read the light-vehicle diagrams from the driver’s seat. The steering wheel is on the right in these examples. Use the numbered diagram with the component table: photographs of different vehicles show that switches and levers need not have identical shapes or positions.
Compare manual and automatic layouts
In the illustrated manual layout, the three pedals are clutch 8 on the left, brake 9 in the middle and accelerator 10 on the right. Gear lever 6 and parking brake 7 are separate controls. A pedal’s position is not its function: learn both.
The automatic layout has brake 9 and accelerator 10, but no clutch pedal 8. Its gear selector operates differently from a manual gear lever. Do not add a missing clutch to an automatic diagram simply because the control numbers continue from 7 to 9.
The source notes that some vehicles have a foot-operated parking brake. “Parking brake” describes the function; “hand brake” does not guarantee that every vehicle uses a hand lever. The pedal or lever must be distinguished from service brake 9.
The numbered controls and their functions
- 1 - Centre rear-view mirror: observe traffic behind through the interior mirror.
- 2 - Windscreen wiper: clears the front windscreen, including when rain reduces visibility.
- 3 - Exterior rear-view mirrors: observe traffic to the rear and sides; choose the right-hand mirror when checking the right rear side.
- 4 - Steering wheel: changes the direction of the vehicle.
- 5 - Indicator switch: communicates an intended left or right turn or change of direction.
- 6 - Gear lever or selector: selects the gear; a manual gear change also involves clutch 8.
- 7 - Parking brake: holds a parked vehicle stationary.
- 8 - Clutch: assists engagement or disengagement of a gear in a manual vehicle; it is absent from the automatic layout.
- 9 - Service brake: the foot control that reduces speed or brings the vehicle to a stop.
- 10 - Accelerator: the foot control that increases speed; it is not a hand control.
- 11 - Horn: warns other road users to help avoid a collision.
Changing gears and controlling speed
In a manual vehicle, gear changing uses gear lever 6 and clutch 8 together. The lever selects a gear while the clutch assists engagement or disengagement. The light-vehicle sample also identifies the clutch as the control used to avoid stalling immediately before a complete standstill.
Check the centre mirror 1 before changing speed or applying the brake, as the source’s light-vehicle examples require. Brake 9 slows or stops the vehicle; accelerator 10 increases speed. Looking behind helps you understand the traffic situation before that change.
Stopping and parking
Use service brake 9 to slow or stop a moving vehicle, including the source’s emergency-stop identification question. Use parking brake 7 to keep the vehicle stationary after parking or when leaving it unattended. Do not confuse stopping the vehicle with holding it parked.
Stopping distance becomes longer on a wet road and at a higher speed. A passenger or load also increases the stopping distance in the source examples. Do not assume the same stopping distance after changing any of these conditions.
Observation, signalling and changing direction
Before changing direction, observe through the relevant mirrors and use indicator 5 to communicate the intended direction. Steering wheel 4 then changes direction. Centre mirror 1 and exterior mirrors 3 together cover the source’s rear-and-side observation requirement.
For a sharp turn in the manual light vehicle, the source lists 1, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 10: centre mirror, steering wheel, gear lever, clutch, brake and accelerator. Learn what each contributes. The list is not a command to press every pedal at once.
Visibility, instruments and warning other road users
The speedometer displays speed; the accelerator changes speed. The wiper lever operates the windscreen wipers; the indicator lever signals direction. The horn warns other road users. These controls can sit near the steering wheel without serving the same purpose.
Worked situations and recap
Example: rain begins while you need to slow down. The wipers 2 address the windscreen, mirror 1 supplies rearward information, and brake 9 reduces speed. The wet surface also makes stopping distance longer. One control cannot perform all four jobs.
Example: you move from the manual diagram to the automatic diagram. The missing control is clutch 8. Brake 9 and accelerator 10 remain, and the parking brake still has a separate holding function.
Recap: locate every numbered control, explain manual versus automatic pedals, distinguish service and parking brakes, and match observation, signalling, visibility and gear changing to the correct controls. Apply the stopping-distance conditions to the complete situation.