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Holiday Info How to Drive your American Car
 Starting
Depress and hold the brake pedal down while turning the key to the "start" position. Engage the starter for 3-5 seconds at a time until the engine starts.
Automatic Transmission
Your car will almost certainly have automatic gears unless you have ordered a specialist car. The gear lever ("gear-shift") will either be mounted by the steering wheel, or between the front seats (console-mount). Console mounted gearshifts include a "thumb button" required to be pressed to allow movement of the lever.
Using Your "Gear Shift"
Most cars normally have 6 gear positions: P (Park), R (Reverse), N (Neutral), D (Drive), 1 (first gear), and 2 (second gear). The last two gears are designed for use when crossing difficult terrain or climbing steep hills. Drive is the normal driving position, and the gears will automatically adjust as the car changes speed. The gears will automatically change down when the car needs extra acceleration to overtake or drive up a hill.
Mirrors
Many cars have remote control side mirrors. The controls are normally toggles or "joy-sticks" that are located either on each door, on a control panel on the driver's door, or on the dash panel.
Headlights
The headlights on your car may be turned on by one of the following methods:
- Pull or rotate knob located on lower lefthand dash panel.
- On most Chrysler cars the pull/push headlight knob is also the dimmer switch for interior lights (speedometer etc). Please make sure you turn the knob "OFF" or you could drain your battery.
- Rotate indicator lever forward.
- Press button/lever on upper left hand dash panel
- Push lever mounted on right side of the steering column upward. You can normally flash your lights by pulling or pushing your indicator lever.
Hazard Warning Lights
They are normally found either on top or below the steering column.
Windscreen Wipers
Most windscreen wipers controls are found on the indicator lever. Rotate the lever to the required speed. Press in the lever to activate the washer.
Fuel Tank Filler Release
If your car has a locking petrol cap the release is normally a button or switch located in the glove compartment or on the floor between the driver's seat and floor. If you can't find it look for an emergency release cable which may be in the boot on the side wall nearest the petrol cap. Pull to operate.
Automatic Boot (Trunk)
Some larger grade cars have "automatic" boots that slowly close themselves when you push them shut. Please do not force them!
Boot (Trunk) Release
If your car is equipped with an interior boot release it may be located on the floor, between the driver's seat and door. Pull the lever to activate the release. Some models have a release button located in the glove compartment, on the dashboard or the driver's door.
Hand Brake (Parking Brake) Release
Some cars have a foot operated parking brake located next to the brake pedal. Operate as follows: a release lever or pull tab may be located on the lower left dash panel. Pull to release. If no release lever is found, press the parking brake pedal a second time to release.
Cruise Control
Many cars are fitted with cruise control and the controls are usually on a lever attached to the steering column. To set the speed that you wish to "cruise" at turn the cruise control button "ON". Once the desired speed is reached, press the "SET" button. To disengage simply tap the brake pedal or turn the cruise control button "OFF".
Documentation
Don't forget to bring your driving licence and carry it with your rental documents in the car at all times.
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