Starting the engine: driving skills

 ALL DRIVING SKILLS 

Starting the engine

Before turning the ignition key it is important to make the safety checks of 

‘parking brake and neutral’. You must make sure the car is secure and that it 

won’t move when you switch on the engine. If your car is in gear or if the 

handbrake is not properly set, when you switch on the engine you could 

move unexpectedly. Check that the parking brake is on firmly. Now check 

that the gear lever is in the neutral position. When you move the gear lever 

from side to side, it should feel quite free. If you are driving an automatic, 

check that the selector lever is in the P (park) or N (neutral) position.

The starter or ignition switch is normally on or near the steering column and usually combines an anti-theft steering lock. Most cars have an ignition switch with three positions. The first releases the anti-theft lock, the second position switches electrical power to the car’s instruments and controls, and the third position operates the starter. 

Place the ignition key in the switch and turn it to release the anti-theft steering lock. You may need to turn the steering wheel slightly whilst you do this.

Turn the key until you see some red warning lights appear on the instrument panel. The battery symbol is the ignition warning light. It only illuminates when the battery is not being charged by power from the engine. 

This light should go out soon after you start the car. The oil can symbol is the oil pressure warning light. It should 

also go out soon after you start the engine. If the red lights do not go out you should switch off and investigate. 

Driving with any red light displayed on the dashboard usually indicates a 

mechanical fault that could damage the engine or compromise your safety.

If your car runs on diesel, you may have to wait until the pre-heater warning light goes out before you can switch on 

the engine.

Turn the key gently to operate the starter. When the engine starts release the key. If the engine does not start you might need to gently squeeze the accelerator pedal and try again. Do not pump the pedal, as this can flood the engine and make starting even more difficult.

Most modern cars have an automatic choke. This allows more fuel to flow into the engine in cold weather to help it 

start. If you’re in an older car, you may need to pull the choke out manually, but remember to push this in once the 

engine is warm.

Once started, the engine should run smoothly without you having to press 

the accelerator pedal. The engine is said to be running at tick-over speed.

To stop the engine, simply turn the key anticlockwise. If you were leaving 

your car you would then remove the key and set the anti-theft lock by turning 

the steering wheel slightly until the lock engaged. READ MORE 

CLICK 👉 provisional licence

CLICK 👉 Reducing the risk of accidents

CLICK 👉 Key points

CLICK 👉 The driving test

CLICK 👉 The practical test

CLICK 👉 The Highway Code

CLICK 👉 Safe driving for life

CLICK 👉 Documents

CLICK 👉 vehicle roadworthy

CLICK 👉 Practising safely

CLICK 👉 The cockpit drill

CLICK 👉 Starting the engine

CLICK 👉 Moving off and stopping

CLICK 👉 Using the clutch to manoeuvre at slow speed

CLICK 👉 Moving off

CLICK 👉 Stopping on the left

CLICK 👉 Changing gear

CLICK 👉 Stopping smoothly at a fixed point

CLICK 👉 Signals by indicator

CLICK 👉 Brake light signals

CLICK 👉 Unnecessary use of signals

CLICK 👉 Warning others of your presence

CLICK 👉 Going uphill

CLICK 👉 Going downhill

CLICK 👉 Hazards on hills

CLICK 👉 stop in an emergency

CLICK 👉 Skidding

CLICK 👉 Skids caused by acceleration

CLICK 👉 Planning ahead to avoid danger

CLICK 👉 How to drive into a parking space between two vehicles

CLICK 👉 How to turn the car in the road

CLICK 👉 How to reverse into a side road on the left

CLICK 👉 How to reverse into a road on the right

CLICK 👉 Making a U-turn

CLICK 👉 Lane discipline at junctions

CLICK 👉 One-way streets

CLICK 👉 Dual carriageways

CLICK 👉 Dealing with pedestrian crossings

CLICK 👉 Zebra crossings

CLICK 👉 How to approach traffic lights

CLICK 👉 Turning at crossroads

CLICK 👉 Dealing with roundabouts

CLICK 👉 Procedure on approach to roundabouts

CLICK 👉 Mini-roundabouts

CLICK 👉 Driving along dual carriageways

CLICK 👉 Turning right on to dual carriageways

CLICK 👉 Dealing with level crossings

CLICK 👉 Breakdowns and accidents at level crossings

CLICK 👉 Accidents cost lives

CLICK 👉 Make good use of the mirrors

CLICK 👉 Be sensible with your speed

CLICK 👉 Be patient

CLICK 👉 Common dangers at junctions

CLICK 👉 Changing lanes in heavy traffic

CLICK 👉 Avoiding accidents with vehicles to your sides

CLICK 👉 Dealing with buses

CLICK 👉 Dealing with emergency vehicles

CLICK 👉 Avoiding accidents on country roads

CLICK 👉 Avoiding accidents at night

CLICK 👉 Driving in windy conditions

CLICK 👉 Driving through floods and fords

CLICK 👉 Avoiding aquaplaning

CLICK 👉 Planning your journeys

CLICK 👉 Lane discipline

CLICK 👉 Reducing the risk of breakdowns

CLICK 👉 Regular checks – at least once a week

CLICK 👉 Changing a wheel

CLICK 👉 Reducing the risk of fire

CLICK 👉 Breakdowns in tunnels

CLICK 👉 Dealing with road works

CLICK 👉 Vehicle security

CLICK 👉 The driver and the environment

 

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