Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Foreword
1
ESSENTIALS
RULES AND REGULATIONS
FIT TO DRIVE
Disabled drivers
SELECTING A CAR
Size
Economy
Performance
New or secondhand?
Where to buy
Inspecting a used car
Test drive
Documentation checks
LEGAL PAPERWORK
Registration Documents
Road tax
Insurance
SURVIVAL KITS
2
SAFE DRIVING
SAFE CAR
Accident prevention:
Mirrors
Lights
Horn
Anti-lock brakes
Stability
Four-wheel drive
Crash protection:
Seat belts
Child restraints
Airbags
Steering wheels and columns
Head restraints
Side-impact bars
Bull bars
Load restraints
SAFE DRIVER
Alertness:
Alcohol
Drugs
Medical conditions
Stress
Fatigue
Distractions
Awareness
Attitude:
Road rage
Speeding
Tailgating
Anticipation
SAFETY CHECKS
SAFETY IN THE GARAGE
3
VEHICLE SECURITY
CAR CRIME
ANTI-THEFT DEVICES
Alarms
Immobilizers
Tracking/recovery systems
Mechanical devices
Locks
DETERRENTS
Etching
Vehicle watch
BASIC PRECAUTIONS
PARKING
VANDALIZED!
STOLEN!
SECURITY CHECKLIST
4
BAD-WEATHER DRIVING
ADVERSE CONDITIONS
Be prepared!
See and be seen
FOG
NIGHT
BRIGHT SUNSHINE
VEHICLE HANDLING
SKIDDING
Why skids occur
Skid prevention
Correcting skids
Skid pans
SNOW AND ICE
Preparing for winter
Winter motoring survival kit
Stuck in snow
Stranded!
RAIN
Driving in rain
Aquaplaning
FLOODS
Driving through flood water
HIGH WINDS
Coping with crosswinds
Rules for bad-weather driving
5
MAINTENANCE
ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Vehicle components
Service intervals
FIRST PARADE
WEEKLY SERVICE
Tool kit
Garage hazards
Exterior checks
Engine compartment checks
Winter maintenance
KEEPING IT CLEAN
Automatic car washes
Manual car wash
Chips and scratches
Waxing
Rust prevention
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE
Choosing a garage
DIY servicing
Preparing for the MOT
FAULT FINDING
Diagnosing faults
6
EMERGENCY!
BREAKDOWNS
Vital equipment
Action plan
Parking in a safe place
Motorway breakdowns
ROADSIDE REPAIRS
Fuel system
Overheating
Low oil pressure
Punctures
Changing a wheel
EMERGENCY STARTING
Jump leads
Push start
Towing
Brake failure
Jammed accelerator
Windscreen shattering
Fire
Submerged in water
Stuck on a level crossing
ACCIDENTS
FIRST AID
INSURANCE CLAIMS
7
PERSONAL SECURITY
REDUCING THE RISKS
Basic precautions
Security on the move
UNDER ATTACK
Hitch hikers
Being followed
Forced to stop
Joy riders
Caught in a crowd
BREAKDOWNS AND ACCIDENTS
Being a good Samaritan
BE STREETWISE
Using reasonable force
Offensive weapons
8
DEFENSIVE DRIVING
MOTORING DRILL
HAZARD RECOGNITION
Visual skills
Signalling
Risk evaluation
A driving plan
COURSE
SPEED
STEERING
GEAR CHANGING
DEALING WITH HAZARDS
Cornering
Overtaking
COMMON ACCIDENT SCENARIOS
Reversing
Parked cars
Cyclists
Pedestrians
Junctions
Roundabouts
Avoiding a head-on collision
9
EVASIVE DRIVING
TARGET SELECTION
COUNTERING THE THREAT
High security
A top security vehicle
Searching the vehicle
SURVEILLANCE & COUNTER-SURVEILLANCE
RISK LIMITATION
Securing the route
UNDER FIRE
Attack recognition
Countering surprise
Vehicle escort drills
Breakdowns
AMBUSHED!
Evasive manoeuvres:
Two-point turn
J-turn
U-turn
Handbrake turn
ESCAPE ROUTES
TAKEN HOSTAGE
10
LONG JOURNEYS
MOTORWAY DRIVING
HOLIDAY TRAVEL
Sunburn and heat exhaustion
Motion sickness
LOADING THE CAR
The luggage compartment
Roof racks
Loading a roof rack
Roof boxes
CARAVANS AND TRAILERS
The towing vehicle
Weight limits
Loading the caravan
Caravan safety tips
Hitching up
Unhitching
TOWING TECHNIQUES
Changing direction
Snaking
TRAVELLING ABROAD
Red tape
Planning your trip
Essential accessories
Hire cars
Ferries
DRIVING ON THE WRONG SIDE
11
OFF-ROAD DRIVING
BECOMING AN OFF-ROADER
KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
Transmission systems
Locking hubs
Ground clearance
DRIVING A 4WD
ROUGH TERRAIN
Mud
Driving in wheel tracks
Fording deep water
Dust and sand
Subkah
Steep hills
Pinnacles
Tobogganing
Rocky ground
RECOVERY
Winching
EXPEDITIONS
Supplies and equipment
12
READING THE SIGNS
PLANNING YOUR JOURNEY
Maps
Motorway travel
Route cards
Lost!
Route planners
Navigating
READING THE ROAD
Road markings
TRAFFIC SIGNS
Road layout
Priority signs
Speed restrictions
Hazards
Level crossings
LOOKING FOR CLUES
Accessible Table
Acknowledgements
Other Books By
About the Publisher
