This section underlines and explains various essential control devices when operating a motor vehicle.

It is vital to know these components and their car locations so that they are easily accessible while driving.

Steering Wheel:

Typical Location: In front of the driver.

Controls the vehicle's direction; turning the steering wheel corresponds to turns in the wheels.

Steering wheel adjuster:

Typical Location: Under or to the side of the steering wheel.

To accommodate drivers of different heights and sizes, use the adjustors to extend or contract the steering wheel or tilt it up or down to fit the best.

When seated, the top of the steering should not be any higher than the shoulders.

Accelerator:

Typical Location: the foot pedal on the furthest right.

Controls the fuel reaching the engine and, as a result, the vehicle's acceleration. The driver must know the pedal's sensitivity before driving on major roads. Different cars require different amounts of force.

Clutch Pedal:

Typical Location: In a manual car, only – the foot pedal to the furthest left.

Pressing the clutch pedal disengages the transmission power, allowing it to switch gears.

Some cars will require the clutch pedal to be pressed before starting.

Brake Pedal:

Typical Location: left of the accelerator.

It applies the brakes and slows the car to a stop.

Parking Brake:

Typical Location: The parking brake can be a foot pedal on the furthest left, an electronic button on the dashboard or a lever on the center console between the driver and passenger.

The parking brake holds the car once the vehicle is stopped or parked. Alternatively, slow down the car if the brake pedals fail.

If the emergency brake is a foot pedal, push it inwards until a click sounds.

If the lever is in the center console, pull it upwards until it clicks. Moreover, to disengage it, push the button and lower the lever back down.

Gear Selector Lever:

Typical Location: In an automatic car, it can be behind the steering wheel or center console. In a manual car, it will be in the center console.

The gear selector allows the driver to select the gear.

Automatic cars have gear:

• D (Drive) - Puts the car in drive mode
• P (park) - puts the car in park mode and enables a weaker parking brake.
• L/2 (Low gears) - used when you need high torque, such as climbing or towing a load.
• M (manual) - allows the car to be towed or pushed by disengaging the transmission.
• Manual vehicles, on the other hand, have gears labelled 1-6 and Reverse on them.

Ignition switch:

An ignition switch or a physical button is on the right side of the steering wheel.

This switch enables the driver to start or off the engine and use various electric components in the car. Manual cars usually have four positions: Lock, Acc, On and Start.

Some newer cars offer keyless entry or push-to-start functions with a key fob.

Horn:

Typical Location: center of the steering wheel.

Horn allows the driver to alert other road-users of dangers on the road or presence.

Cruise Control:

Not all vehicles have cruise controls. If they do, they are typically located on a stalk to the right of the steering wheel or integrated into the steering wheel itself. Once activated, cruise control takes over the vehicle's acceleration and braking to maintain a constant speed set by the driver.

Here’s how it works:

Maintaining Speed: The system automatically adjusts the throttle to keep the car at the desired speed without the driver needing to press the accelerator.

Adjusting for Hills: When going uphill or downhill, cruise control adjusts the throttle to maintain the set speed, increasing power when climbing and reducing it when descending.

Braking: Some advanced cruise control systems, especially adaptive ones, can also apply brakes if necessary to maintain speed or adjust for traffic conditions.

Driver Overrides: The driver can temporarily override cruise control by pressing the accelerator or brake pedal. Cruise control will resume once the pedal is released, provided it remains activated.

Deactivation: The system can be turned off by pressing a designated button, stepping on the brake pedal, or switching off the car.

By handling speed control, cruise control allows drivers to focus more on steering and traffic conditions, enhancing comfort during long drives. However, remaining attentive and ready to take control when needed is essential.