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Before driving off in your car try the following routine. Developed by police drivers to help them adjust to the varied types of vehicles they could end up driving, it also provides some important checks prior to moving off.

THE VEHICLE
Today I am driving a (VEHICLE MAKE & MODEL.)The vehicle has a (ENGINE SIZE) carburettor / fuel injected / turbo charged engine driving the front / rear wheels through a four / five-speed manual gearbox / OR three / four / five-speed automatic/ Tiptronic gearbox.

Vehicle Peculiarities (If Any.)
For Example:
The vehicle has a peculiarity of design in that it has a clutch rod rather than a clutch cable, this sometimes results in a “clunk” sound which sounds as though the clutch has not been properly depressed in gear selection particularly with second and third gears
.
OR
The vehicle has day running head lights that switch on automatically when the ignition key is turned, etc.

THEN
Describe the features and controls. Start on the left and work across to the right, top to bottom. (Nearside door handle/locks round to the Driver's door mirror, door latch and locks.

ALSO, if you have a passenger, Inform them of the controls they could use, window open/close, door locks and, if necessary, seat belts and point out the air bags.

SEAT & THREE MIRRORS; DOOR SHUT
My seat is adjusted to my liking and all three mirrors are adjusted to afford me a good view to the rear.

My door is shut.

Could you please check that you door is shut and that your seat is adjusted correctly. (Adjustments for the back-rest to your seat are located to the left side of your seat together with a lumber support adjustment. Ensure the head restraints are in the correct position. )

SEAT BELTS
I am fastening my seat belt and am satisfied that the inertia reel system locks effectively from a static test (DEMONSTRATE).

to a passenger ~ Could you please confirm that yours is fastened and operational?

GEAR LEVER, HANDBRAKE & BRAKE PEDAL
The handbrake is applied and the gear lever is in neutral/park.

STATIC BRAKE TEST
I have firm pressure on the brake pedal.

Releasing the handbrake and keeping the brake pedal depressed, there is no movement of the foot brake pedal under pressure indicating that the braking system is working correctly.

I will be conducting a running brake test at the first safe opportunity to do so.

STAGE ONE IGNITION
Switching to stage one ignition I have an array of warning lights while system checks are going on.

I am now left with Oil, Battery and Parking Brake warning Lights.

Depressing the clutch (only for manuals!)...
I am now depressing the clutch to - relieve the load from the starter motor and - to guard against false neutrals.

STAGE TWO IGNITION ~ STARTING THE ENGINE
Choke ~ The vehicle does / does not have an automatic choke.

If Vehicle Has Manual Choke Then Add:
It is therefore often necessary with this vehicle to use the manual choke facility to help as the engine through the warm up period until it reaches its normal working temperature. I am therefore pulling the choke out slightly.

(For Automatics leave in Park (P) or Neutral (N)

START ENGINE
With the Foot brake depressed, turning further on the ignition or pressing the 'start' button while the engine fires successfully.

Warning Light Go Out With Exceptions...
I note that all the warning lights with the exception of the parking brake light (day running light warning light and choke light) have gone out. I can see that I have sufficient oil pressure, the battery is receiving a charge and the engine temperature is cold / normal, as expected. The fuel gauge is climbing and I have sufficient fuel for my journey. Note that the foot brake peddle has sunk down, indicating the servo is operating.

MOVING OFF
I am now ready to move off so I am selecting first gear (selecting the Drive mode if in automatic), searching around the vehicle for other road users then releasing the handbrake.
I note that the handbrake warning light goes out showing that all maintained functions are working correctly.

RUNNING BRAKE TEST
From running brake test I now know the pressures to slow and stop the vehicle. The vehicle pulls up firmly and no adverse effect on the steering (done at about 20~30 MPH on a clear road). AND, on that occasion, I did not feel the seat belt locking but I am satisfied that it will lock from the static check that I did earlier.

Stewart Rivers Chief Observer NET RoADA

Stewart Rivers is a Superintendent with the Metropolitan Police and their most senior practicing Class 1 driver