Chapter Introduction

Airline pilots always perform a pre-flight inspection before takeoff. As a driver, you should approach your vehicle the same way. A quick check and proper setup before driving will not only make you more comfortable, but will significantly improve your ability to react in an emergency situation.

Tires

What’s the air pressure in your tires? Chances are you don’t know. But consider this—your tires are the only thing connecting you to the road.

Each tire has a small area of contact with the pavement called the contact patch. The size of that contact patch directly affects how much traction your vehicle has. Proper tire pressure allows the tire to maintain the largest possible contact patch and perform at its best.

Under-inflated tires are the leading cause of tire failure and can increase the risk of a rollover. They reduce traction by lifting the center of the tread off the road and softening the sidewalls. Over-inflated tires have the opposite shape but the same result—reduced contact and reduced traction.

Tire pressure should always be checked when the tires are cold. Keep in mind that tires naturally lose air over time, and changes in temperature can affect pressure as well.

When checking for proper tire pressure, always refer to the sticker located on the inside of the driver’s door or the vehicle’s owner’s manual—not the number listed on the tire itself. The number on the tire represents the maximum pressure the tire can safely hold, not the recommended operating pressure for your vehicle. The correct tire pressure is determined by the vehicle manufacturer and is based on the weight, handling, and performance characteristics of that specific vehicle.

Seating Position

Proper seating position is critical for both control and safety.

Adjust your seat so that when your right foot fully depresses the brake pedal, your knee still has a slight bend. Your left foot should rest comfortably on the footrest to help stabilize your body.

The seat back should be positioned so that with your shoulders against the seat, your wrists can rest on top of the steering wheel while maintaining a slight bend in your elbows. This allows for maximum control without overreaching.

Hand Position

While many drivers use one hand on the wheel, proper control requires two. The recommended position is 9 and 3 o’clock. Many vehicles produced today even provide “notches” on the steering wheel at nine and three to rest your thumbs.

This position allows for quicker reaction time and better control during emergency maneuvers. It also reduces the risk of injury in vehicles equipped with airbags, which deploy at extremely high speeds.

Keeping both hands on the wheel gives you the best chance to respond effectively when something unexpected happens.

Shuffle Steer

Steering the vehicle properly is critical. As stated earlier, most people drive with only one hand on the wheel. However, in an accident avoidance or performance situation, professional drivers use what is called “shuffle steer”.

With shuffle steer, each hand is responsible for half of the steering wheel; your right hand from 12 to 6 and your left from 6 to 12. For example, in making a right hand turn your right hand would turn the wheel down to the 6 o’clock position (from the starting 3 o’clock position), then the left hand would continue turning the wheel back up to the 12 o’clock position. By allowing the wheel to shuffle or “ratchet” through your hands, you are constantly keeping two hands on the wheel and you are able to turn left or right at any moment, unlike steering hand over hand, or crossing your arms. Also, by not crossing your arms or turning hand over hand, you avoid placing your arms in front of the airbag, which helps protect you from injury in a collision.

Seat Belts

It gets pounded into your skull every day that seat belts save lives. However, seat belts do a lot more than help prevent injury or the loss of life in the case of a collision. They also help keep the driver firmly behind the wheel. This is essential whether you are in a performance or an evasive driving situation. The more firmly you’re strapped in behind the wheel, the better feel you have for the vehicle. Not only does it increase your driving confidence and ability, but it also allows you to feel those ever-changing driving conditions sooner, which can help to prevent a possible collision situation from ever occurring. Not wearing your seat belt is like playing a sport with your shoes untied or too loose. It’s something that you would never do because you lose stability and control. Wearing your seatbelt not only helps to protect you in a collision, but it may also provide you with the extra stability and control needed to help you avoid the collision in the first place.

Mirrors

The position of your mirrors is another important element of being a better, safer driver.

The inside mirror should show the entire rear window. You should not see any of your own reflection in the mirror.

The side mirrors should be adjusted outward until the side of your car just disappears from view. This allows you to maximize your peripheral vision and eliminate as many blind spots as possible. If your side mirrors are properly adjusted, you will have to lean your head a little to see the reflection of your own vehicle.