Neil Brown Driving Tuition
Setting up the controls
DSSSM is an easy way to remember how to do this properly. DSSSM stands for Doors, Seat, Steering, Seatbelt, Mirrors.
Doors, it is important to make sure that ALL doors are closed properly, BEFORE moving off. To do this properly, look at the doors (both front and rear, depending on the car) to make sure they are all closed correctly.
Seat, the driver's seat should be moved into a position, where you can reach ALL the controls and be able to see properly all round.
To do this properly, move the seat backward or forward (you should be able to push the clutch to the floor, comfortably, with your left foot), move the seat up or down (you should be able to see out the windscreen clearly), move the seat-back backwards or forwards (you should be able to reach the whole of the steering wheel comfortably), adjust the head restraint properly (the head restraint should be level with the top of your head)
Steering, you should be able to reach the whole of the steering wheel comfortably, most cars have adjustable steering wheels, if this needs to be adjusted.
Seatbelt, are for your protection and the protection of any other passengers, in your car. Make sure your seatbelt is on BEFORE starting the engine, it's correctly adjusted, there are no twists in the belt, make sure any other passengers in your car have their seatbelt on and be careful when taking your seatbelt off.
Mirrors, starting with the main mirror (interior mirror), adjust the main mirror to allow you good vision out the back window (you should see the top of the back window running along the top of the main mirror, the bottom of the back window should be running along the bottom of the main mirror.
The door mirrors should be adjusted to allow good vision to the sides of the car (you should be able to see some of the side of your car, the front door handle and a good view of the road should be clear).
Using the Foot Controls
Accelerator, known as the "gas" pedal. This is the pedal on the right, it is operated by your right foot, it is very sensitive and only requires a light, gentle pressure.
Footbrake, the pedal in the middle this pedal is operated by your right foot, the footbrake only requires a light, gentle pressure. Pressing the brake will light up the brake lights at the rear of the car.
The Clutch, is the pedal on the left, it is operated by your left foot, pressing the clutch down separates the clutch plates, raising the clutch brings the clutch plates closer together.
The bite point is found, when the clutch plates are close to each other, but not close enough to move the car off, the clutch is raised about halfway (this will vary in different cars).
