safety and your vehicle Flashcards
cars pollute; consuming fuel is bad; using less fuel is good.Give 3 examples of the effects on the environment
air pollution
Damage to buildings
using up natural resources
What things increase fuel consumption
Under inflated tyres
Harsh braking
Harsh, rapid acceleration
A roof rack
Over-revving in low gear
Carrying unecessary weight
What can you do to reduce fuel consumption
Plan you journey
Use gently, steady acceleration
Get your car serviced regularly
Reduce your speed
Watch traffic and plan ahead
Avoid very short car journeys
Miss out some gears when conditions allow
Environmental facts
Driving at 70mph uses 30% more fuel than driving at 50mph.
Catalytic Converters are part of exhaust system. They reduce toxic exhaust emissions.
Road transport is 20% of all emissions.
Red routes in cities exist to help the traffic flow.
Light Rapid Transit (LRT) systems are environmentally friendly because they are powered by electricity, so don’t emit toxic fumes.
A roof rack fitted to car = increased fuel consumption.
Servicing your car regularly will help give you better fuel economy.
Eco-safe driving = improved road safety and helps the environment by reducing exhaust emissions.
Missing out some gear changes can help save fuel by reducing the amount of time you are accelerating.
How to avoid congestion
plan your route before starting
avoid driving at times when roads will be busy, as you are less likely to be delayed
allow plenty of time for your journey.
plan by looking at a map
using sat-nav equipment
checking for road works with a motoring organisation
using a route planner on the internet.
Security tips
Never leave vehicle documents in a car.
Etching the car number on the windows may deter car theft, as does adding an immobiliser.
Car maintenance
Check tyre pressure when tyres are cold.
Dispose of used car battery + engine oil by taking them to a garage or local authority site.
The fluid used to top up a car battery is distilled water. fill to just above the cell plates.
Uneven or excessive tyre wear can cause faults in the braking system, wheel alignment and the suspension.
Low levels of brake fluid can cause you to crash.
Brake fade caused by overheating brakes - makes your brakes less effective.
Consult a mechanic immediately if your anti-lock brake light stays on or your vehicle pulls to one side when braking.
The legal minimum depth of tread for car tyres over 3/4’s of the breadth is 1.6mm.
The law requires you to keep headlights, windscreen and seat belts in a good condition.
Too much oil in the engine = oil leaks.
Dry steering (steering whilst the car is stationary) can cause damage to the tyres and steering.
Unbalanced wheels on a car can cause the steering to vibrate.
under-inflated tyres means that
Fuel Consumption
make the steering seem heavy
Braking
seatbelt safety
responsibility of the driver to make sure anyone under 14 who is a passenger in the car wears seatbelt.
A child under 1.35 metres tall who is a passenger in the back seat of your car must wear a suitable child restraint. If such a restraint isn’t available then they must use an adult seat belt.
Make sure any front passenger airbag is deactivated when carrying a child in the front passenger seat using a rear-facing baby seat
In a collision a properly adjusted head restraint helps reduce the risk of neck injury.
parking
On front of a property entrance.
At or near a bus stop.
Near the brow of a hill where the limited view of the road ahead makes it difficult to see whether it’s safe to pass the obstruction.
At a dropped kerb, as this is the place for wheelchair and mobility scooter users to get onto the road or pavement.
On the zigzag lines at a pedestrian crossing.
When parking you car at night on a road with a speed limit of 40mph or above you should leave the parking lights on.
other safety facts
dont sound your horn between 11.30pm and 7am in a built-up area.
Before a long journey check the engine’s oil levels. Too much oil in the engine = oil leaks.
Red routes introduced in major cities to help the traffic flow.
Road humps, chicanes and narrowings are traffic calming measures. When you encounter them you should slow down
You should only sound your horn in a built-up area between 7am and 11.30pm.
When parking on the road at night, park in direction of the traffic. Use your parking lights if the speed limit is over 30mph.
Planning your journey before you start out will result in you having a more pleasant and easier journey, it will also help to ease congestion. Plan an alternative route just in case your preferred route is blocked.
Wear suitable shoes when driving as this will help you maintain control of the pedals.
