Purpose

To familiarize students with routine maintenance, seasonal maintenance, recognition of indications of trouble, and subsequent corrective action. It should be remembered, this is not a mechanics class. This is an area, for example, vehicle checks, where parental involvement should be encouraged, particularly because it involves the family vehicle.

Duration: 120 minutes.

Learning Objectives

Performance Objectives

Actively participate in discussions and group work.

Knowledge Objectives

Know how to:

• start the vehicle;
• operate the windshield wipers;
• change a tire;
• carry out a vehicle check;
• conduct a vehicle check;
• prepare for winter;
• prepare for spring;
• interpret warning lights and take corrective action;
• diagnose common vehicle faults;
• jump-start a vehicle;
• tow and be towed;
• conduct the routine of vehicle familiarization; and,
• extricate a stuck vehicle.

Teaching Points

1. Good drivers maintain their vehicles well.
2. Good drivers know how to deal with minor mechanical problems.
3. In order for you to be able to drive safely and well, your vehicle should be properly checked and maintained at all times.

Content

1. Vehicle check - see Driver's Handbook.
   • Tires - tread depth, tread condition, sidewalls, inflation, radial/bias, tire mixture, and tire bead.
   • Fluids - levels (how to read and rectify), frequency of required changes of oil, filters, engine coolant, transmission and brake fluid, windshield washer, battery and power steering fluid.
   • Belts and hoses - tightness and condition, how to check for cracks and leaks.
   • Lights - bulbs working, how to replace, how to aim headlights.
2. Preparation for winter - see Driver's Handbook.
3. Preparation for spring.
4. Understanding and reacting to warning lights.
5. Diagnosing brake failure, engine failure, power assist failure, battery or alternator problems, etc.
6. Jump-starting a vehicle.
7. Towing a vehicle and being towed.
8. Extricating a "stuck" vehicle.
9. Visibility of signals - see Driver's Handbook.

Assignments

1. Find the warning lights on the vehicle you will be driving and plan what you would do if each of these warning lights came on.
2. Carry out a vehicle check on your vehicle.
3. List what you are required to do during each season (IL).
4. Develop a maintenance schedule for the vehicle you will be driving specifying what you will do, and what will be done by a mechanic or other qualified person.
5. Find the Owner's Manual for your vehicle and read it from cover to cover (COM).
6. Carry out the vehicle check on at least one vehicle and bring the results back to the next class.

Instructional Approaches

• If possible, use a real vehicle for part of this lesson.
• Make extensive use of slides, overhead transparencies, and worn or cracked belts, hoses, etc.
• Question and answer. Fill in the gaps.
• Assign questions.

Special Requirements

Materials

• Slides, overhead transparencies, vehicle components.

Equipment

• Vehicle (if possible), slide projector, overhead projector.

Notes: