Chapter 2 · You and your vehicle

(Learn to Drive Smart, March 2026 edition)

This chapter is about knowing the vehicle you drive: setting it up to fit you, the controls, and the checks that keep it safe.

Set up before you move. Adjust the seat, head restraint and mirrors before starting the engine, and never adjust the seat while the vehicle is moving. Sit upright, and keep at least 25 cm between you and the airbag in the steering wheel. Raise the head restraint until its top reaches at least the top of your head, and bring it close to the back of your head. Set the side mirrors so their blind spots are as small as possible.

Seatbelts and children. Wearing a seatbelt is the law in B.C.; the lap belt goes low over the hips and the shoulder strap across the chest, never under the arm. Children move through four stages, from a rear-facing seat to the adult seatbelt alone; a booster seat is required until age nine or a height of 145 cm, whichever comes first. A rear-facing seat must never sit in front of an active airbag.

Controls. Use your right foot for both the brake and the accelerator. High beams are for unlit roads at night with no one ahead or approaching. Daytime running lights do not turn on the tail lights, so they are no substitute for headlights at night. Keep cruise control for good conditions on the highway.

Checks. A quick walk-around before each trip covers lights, tires, glass, mirrors and the area around the vehicle; a fuller check every few weeks covers fluids, belts and hoses. Check tire pressure cold, against the vehicle's door sticker or owner's manual rather than the tire wall; a space-saver spare is limited to 80 km/h. Before winter, fit four snow tires and practise putting on chains.