Car Care Booklet

The State of Delaware’s In case of Emergency Guide to

IN CASE OF AC MALFUNCTION, THIS BOOKLET CAN BE USED S a f e ly AS A FAN. Navigating 1. Hold booklet in hand. 2. Move to and fro. the Road 3. Fast. Ahead

This booklet made courtesy of the Delaware 1st Edition Office of Highway Safety— to help guide you through the many twists and turns For use on all highways, on the road. byways, roads & streets.

Delaware Office of Highway Safety Ru le s o f t h e Ro a d

This manual

is filled with Safety tip tips, tricks, suggestions and s some helpful hints to help you stay safe Th e s and make the most of

your driving experience ce n ic r ou te on Delaware’s highways, byways, side streets, cul-de-sacs and occasional roundabouts. C ar Mai n te a ce

Rules of the Road Safety tips The scenic route Car Maintenance

of the

ROAD

S LE RU Safety tips The scenic route Car Maintenance

Tailgating Running red lights red Running Not using turn signals using turn Not lines or in a no passing zone or in a no passing lines Failing to yield to other drivers other yield to to Failing Speeding Ignoring other traffic signs and signals traffic Ignoring other Passing on the right or over double yellow double yellow or over on the right Passing Running stop signs stop Running ggressive Driving ggressive Unsafe lane changes (cutting off other drivers) other off (cutting lane changes Unsafe A and almost day, every driving happens Aggressive not might You aggresively. driven has everyone driver, an aggressive considered are you realize the following of any done ever have but if you consider might enforcement while driving, law continuous in committing, you witnesses If an officer violations, moving those of or more three conduct, driving. That aggressive for you cite he or she can six points to $1,000, up with fines comes ticket driver and a mandatory license driver’s on your course. behavior you an aggressive driver. driver. an aggressive you

. . ee:

ch, r u u ag s m ide i n’t yo $480 premiums. ld $6,300 You’ll lose your your lose You’ll driver’s license. driver’s u Interlock device (at a (at device Interlock cost to you of $480). of you to cost higher auto insurance insurance higher auto $6,300 in fines, court $6,300 in fines, You’ll pay significantly significantly pay You’ll r cheape much Wo A cab r You’ll pay an average of of an average pay You’ll costs and attorney fees. and attorney costs You could get an Ignition get could You

aw $900 TheL instant $7,000 You’ll have an have You’ll $10,000 criminal record. jail time. You’ll do mandatory You’ll you around $7,000. around you you about $10,000. you You could possibly do possibly could You (at a cost of about $900). of a cost (at Your third DUI will cost DUI will cost third Your Your second DUI will cost DUI will cost second Your alcohol and drug counselingalcohol Delaware’s blood alcohol content (BAC) legal legal (BAC) content alcohol blood Delaware’s .08 below are think you if you Even limit is .08. happen to is what could here drive, to and okay driving impaired: for arrested are if you you You probably already know, but drinking and drinking and but know, already probably You but unacceptable, only socially not driving is could You dangerous. and very illegal also Remember, kill—someone. injure—or seriously Driving is Drunk Driving. Buzzed ui Laws Dui Safety tips The scenic route Car Maintenance

: : go to or more information Up to 100 hours of community service service community of 100 hours Up to $550 up to Fines suspension License istracted driving with

Completion of a traffic safety course safety a traffic of Completion aw Law Users ulnerable F www.ohs.delaware.gov/cellphone V D electronic handheld devices communication from drivers bans phone law cell Delaware’s communication handheld electronic using any with a talk may driving. You while device offenses. subsequent for $300 and up to on January 2, 2011, effect into went the law Since issued have officers enforcement law Delaware statewide. phone tickets cell than 20,000 more hands-free device only. No texting! only. device hands-free offense, the first $106 for are and fees Fines 1 1 1 The Vulnerable Users Law increases the the increases Law Users Vulnerable The who cause drivers distracted for penalties pedestrians, cyclists, injury to physical serious road vulnerable mopeds or other motorcyclists, include: guidelines sentencing law’s The users. 1

cargo or objects cargo Retrieving unsecured unsecured Retrieving aw Eating, drinking or smoking Eating, Shaving, putting on makeup on makeup putting Shaving, way in any yourself or grooming Texting on your cell phone cell on your Texting Deciphering a road map, reading reading map, Deciphering a road a novel or taking notes or taking a novel TheL CD or MP3 f A Focusing attention on children or pets on children attention Focusing Engaging in arguments with passengers Engaging in arguments istracted driving, Changing the radio, Changing the radio, aggressive/reckless driving aggressive/reckless There are all kinds of driving. However, some of of some However, driving. all kinds of are There D careless/inattentive driving, of which all penalties, and with fines them come 41— 21 Chapter Title Code in Delaware outlined are his/her give to who fails Anyone the Road. of Rules while lookout proper a and maintain full attention driving. inattentive of guilty be found driving can while the following of doing any are if you So first— that driving comes remember driving, please wait. can the rest Safety tips The scenic route Car Maintenance never behind the back never behind the arm never laying back in the seat WEAR TO BELT

SEAT not

HOW you keep is, (that best work belts Seat wear only when you or worse) injury from them properly: YOUR

s aw www.ohs.delaware.gov/seatbelt TheL not properly secured by a seat belt. So make make So belt. a seat by secured properly not up—including kids. buckles everybody sure If pulled over, the driver will receive an an will receive the driver If pulled over, is found in the car if anyone ticket $83.50 Lap and shoulder belts must be worn. be worn. must belts Lap and shoulder behind be placed cannot Shoulder belts or under the arm. the back Everyone in the vehicle, including backseat backseat including in the vehicle, Everyone their wear must and children, passengers properly. belts seat

a helmet. helmets riders all motorcycle requires law Delaware to have a DOT-approved helmet on their bike. on their bike. helmet a DOT-approved have to be two must there riders, two are if there So under if you’re However, on the bike. helmets the helmet. be wearing actually to have 19 you if you even But, as well.) protection, eye (And wear too that you prefer would we 19, over are 1 1 Delaware Seat Belt law Belt Seat Delaware or killed in a crash by around 50%, it’s the law. the law. it’s 50%, around by or killed in a crash one at that. good And a pretty 1 Besides the fact that wearing a seat belt belt a seat wearing that the fact Besides injured being seriously of risk your decreases CLICKIT OR TICKET

Safety tips The scenic route Car Maintenance

tips

safety

The scenic route Car Maintenance

2230 Hessler Blvd. Hessler 2230 18006 Coastal Hwy. s | 18006 Coastal STATIONS iner L f on DMV | FITTING 303 Transportation Circle Transportation ver DMV | 303 OHS that came with the instructions Frustrated it take then just Well, seat? car with your Stations. Fitting Seat one our OHS Car to hel S Use by their seats protect try to parents Many can This seat. car under the a towel putting as putting as dangerous Not be dangerous. seat, car the beneath or firecrackers vipers between much space too creates but a towel it and makes seat, the vehicle and seat the car position. slide out of to seat the car for easier rubber shelf of using a sheet try Instead, are sheets These the dollar store. liner from a good gripping provide thin, and extremely seats. on leather especially surface, about or concerns questions any have If you please seat, car your of or fit the snugness tech. Station Fitting a consult help. to happy just We’re No charge. Wilmingt 1 p.m. 9 a.m. to from & Thursdays Tuesdays 8 p.m. 4 to from Wednesdays 302.434.3234 Do 8 p.m. 4 to from Wednesdays 302.744.2749 Lewe P Troop 7— DS month each One Saturday 302.387.2324 you nearest Station the Fitting call Please appointment. an for

not across the neck or face. or face. the neck across not The shoulder belt should lie belt should lie shoulder The the shoulder and chest, across the lie across belt must lap The the stomach. not upper thighs,

1 1 Children must always ride facing ride facing always must Children No matter No exceptions! the rear. cute! how ride to continue should Children reach they until rear the facing rear- for limit weight and height the means This on that seat. use facing rear the ride facing kids may some age 2 or older. they’re until in a forward- children Keep the to with a harness seat facing limit and weight maximum height transition Then the seat. by allowed seat. a booster them to seat in a booster children Keep until they meet the criteria for for criteria the meet they until belt: seat in a appropriately fitting

eat safety eat

es es es ge of ag ag ag r s ca a 2–3 4–7 the Up to two 8–12 for your child? child? your for Well, more specifically, which car seat is right is right seat car which specifically, more Well, Which seat car or you? for right is The scenic route Car Maintenance

night)

n ai R in the snow driving for advice the same of A lot use slower, Drive in the rain: driving to applies a light touch on the brakes, don’t floor it, etc. etc. floor it, don’t on the brakes, touch a light when driving in the rain danger biggest The is hydroplaning. on a happens when the tread Hydroplaning handle. than it can water more encounters tire under water forces pressure water resulting The And the road. of lift off it to causing the tire, good at all. good. Not not that’s do? what do you So, down. Slow braking. And no hard in the tire drive try to On the highway, you. of in front the car by left tracks headlights your use always to And remember or night. day in the rain, The main reason for using your headlights in in headlights using your for main reason The see, help you much to so is not conditions these you. see drivers help other but to high beams Using your in fog. beams low your Use reflect to headlights your from the light will cause see. to making it harder at you, and back the fog off f o dark the in (besides

In the rain, snow, fog and dusk fog snow, In the rain, ive safeive r Anytime you are using your wipers using your are you Anytime ever is one, turn on your headlights) on your turn is one, ever

When use to your headlights d During dust storms (true, there aren’t a a aren’t there (true, storms During dust w lot of dust storms in Delaware, but if there but if there in Delaware, storms dust of lot All-wheel drive (AWD) does not make you you make not does (AWD) drive All-wheel help can AWD conditions. winter impervious to help but it doesn’t snow, going in the get you Before going up a hill, get some momentum momentum some going up a hill, get Before floor middle! And don’t in the stop going. Don’t the wheels spin it! Flooring it will only make backwards. you and send a slippery turn. or go around on ice stop you This may seem obvious, but do not use cruise cruise use but do not obvious, seem may This highway. on a snowy control oing oing G cautiously. and turns curves Approach or— a spin or a ditch into you send can fast too car. worse—another Use a light touch on the brakes to prevent prevent to on the brakes touch a light Use an intersection. the middle of skidding into your tires spin. And spin. And spin. And spin. spin. spin. And spin. And spin. And tires your Accelerate s-l-o-w-l-y. It’s slippery out there. out there. slippery It’s s-l-o-w-l-y. Accelerate make quickly will only Applying the gas too Sno Assorted weather driving tips driving The scenic route Car Maintenance

or motorcycles for www.motorcyclesafetyde.org ook out out ook you encounter an an encounter you When driving behind or near a motorcycle, a motorcycle, driving behind or near When distance and following space your increase often Motorcyclists the motorcyclists. around the off rolling or merely down-shifting by slow Allow light. the brake activating thus not throttle, seconds. or four three distance, following more slow may a motorcyclist predict intersections, At visual warning. without down the is nearly motorcycles for distance Stopping makes but slippery pavement cars, as for same following more Allow quickly. stop to it difficult can’t you because behind a motorcycle distance a dime.” “on stop always L If driver aggressive on the road get to attempt every make foremost, and First gestures. Ignore contact. eye make Don’t own. do so. safely can 911 as you Call as soon number if possible. plate and a license travel of farther in a crash is involved driver If an aggressive the crash from distance a safe stop the road, down the and report arrive to the police for wait scene, witnessed. that you driving behavior out of the driver’s way. Do not challenge him or challenge him or Do not way. the driver’s out of hold your to up or attempting speeding her by the better. sooner The description with a vehicle dispatchers police Provide direction doors), number of model, size, make, (color,

ety oad Don’t hitchhike. hitchhike. Don’t people get killed this way.) people get with signals or traffic signs. with signals or traffic ff the r ing law trian cross and as far off the road as possible. the road off and as far s be a pedestrian happen to If you Cross only at crosswalks or intersections or intersections only at crosswalks Cross Do not walk under the influence of drugs of drugs under the influence walk Do not or alcohol. (You’d be surprised how many many how be surprised (You’d or alcohol. when walking at night. No ninja costumes. No ninja costumes. at night. when walking If there isn’t a sidewalk, walk facing traffic traffic facing walk a sidewalk, isn’t If there O n & Carry a flashlight or other reflective items items reflective other or a flashlight Carry edestrianf sa o Pede are not paying attention. They’re all on vacation all on vacation They’re attention. paying not are the to getting of thinking more and sometimes traffic. to attention than paying attraction next within pedestrians yield to must Motorists a into step not may Pedestrians a crosswalk. an immediate will cause if doing so crosswalk to yield must Pedestrians traffic. to hazard unmarked at an the road if crossing motorists crosswalk. or unmarked intersection If you are driving in a beach or tourist town, town, or tourist driving in a beach are If you them of some Because everybody. look out for If you are driving in a neighborhood, slow down down slow driving in a neighborhood, are If you dart to tend They kids. for and be on the lookout nowhere. out from P The scenic route Car Maintenance

stop on cycling in in on cycling

OR turn ight Right ETY

t f bicycle hand signals or more information le turn Anyone under the age of 18 must wear wear 18 must age of under the Anyone helmet. a bicycle ensuring that for responsible are Parents and traffic all safety follow their children with hand signals should indicate Cyclists the hand see (Please when making turns. hand signaling proper for signal diagram technique.) Cyclists must ride with traffic and never and never with traffic ride must Cyclists all traffic follow and must traffic against and signals. laws on the roads. when riding their bikes laws

F Delaware, please visit the Delaware Bicycle Bicycle visit the Delaware please Delaware, www.deldot.gov/information/ at Council community_programs_and_services/bike 1 1 1 CYCLING SAF ride to a license need don’t though you Even along that go rules a few still are there a bike, one. with operating 1

riving BICYCLE A

icycle safety

B If you can’t achieve a three-foot (3´) passing passing (3´) a three-foot achieve can’t If you ten at least speed by your reduce distance, speed the posted per hour below (10) miles the bicycle. pass to attempting limit before When approaching a bicyclist traveling in in traveling a bicyclist approaching When (3´) a three-foot leave direction, the same vehicle motor your between distance passing and the bicycle. rowsy D

Never drive while tired. If you find yourself yourself find If you while tired. drive Never area a rest to while driving, pull over off dozing the roadway). on the side of (not lot or parking refreshed. feel to catnap a quick little Take you take up and pick you to someone Or call destination. at your wind up safely You’ll home. a ditch. in upside-down of Instead Stay Awake! Stay D 1 1 Did you know that Delaware is one one is that Delaware know Did you bicycle-friendly 10 most top the of means Which in the union? states a few encounter to likely you’re you’ll means Which travels. on your pedalers a cyclist. pass safely to rules need these PASSING The scenic route Car Maintenance

D L E I Y D L E I Y D L E I Y D L E I Y Yield to vehicles that are already in the in the already that are vehicles to Yield might you cases, And in some roundabout. turn. your and wait stop to have Ready to exit? Well, then put on your blinker blinker then put on your Well, exit? to Ready and do so. Enter the roundabout. Once inside, do not stop. stop. do not inside, Once the roundabout. Enter way. of the right have you Now Slow down. Fifteen mph or less is plenty fast fast is plenty mph or less Fifteen down. Slow the roundabout. entering for ow to drive through through drive to How roundabout a they confusing, seem may roundabouts While going are you where get to you allow actually intersections make they quickly because more efficient. and more safer counter- drive in a roundabout All vehicles going turns going in, right turns Right clockwise. properly to is how Here be scared. don’t So, out. turn: a roundabout execute 1. 2. 3. 4.

When there there When

ffic Even though you have have though you Even t. ns o the open space. Check your mirrors. Be aware aware Be mirrors. Check your

. atio itu Before merging onto the highway, the highway, onto merging Before

Put on your turn signal to let drivers drivers let signal to turn Put on your our blind spo icky s Useless cocktail party trivia: trivia: party cocktail Useless was roundabout in the USA modern first The in 1990. Nevada, in Summerlin, constructed tr ccelerate int ccelerate around you know your intentions. Seeing your your Seeing intentions. your know you around will adjust on the highway signal, the drivers their lane position to allow you on the highway. you allow to their lane position front of you. Be nice. Wait until the vehicle merges merges the vehicle until Wait nice. Be you. of front need absolutely if you it on the left and then pass going in such a hurry anyway? you are Where to. And if you’re already on the highway, don’t speed speed don’t on the highway, already And if you’re in merge that is trying to a vehicle pass up to Remember, vehicles already on the highway have have on the highway already vehicles Remember, And big, diesel-smoke-belching way. of the right way. of the right have really really, 18-wheelers is space for you on the highway, merge into that that into merge on the highway, you for is space speed highway up to vehicle bringing your space, as quickly as possible. A k y Chec Signal. Speed up. around Look erging into tra into Merging checked your mirrors, double-check your blind blind double-check your mirrors, your checked the highway. toward head your turning by spot be a motorcycle. might there in case Just you need to be driving near highway speed. If the speed. If the highway be driving near need to you to accelerate lane is long enough, acceleration on the highway. the vehicles the speed of match of nearby vehicles, especially those next to you you to next those especially vehicles, nearby of your is blocking vehicle If a you. and behind that you so down slow the highway, to entrance in behind it. merge try to can The scenic route Car Maintenance

the dead car’s positive battery terminal, terminal, battery positive car’s the dead Start the booster car’s engine and let it idle it idle engine and let car’s the booster Start minutes. a few for marked with a “+.” marked Clamp the red jumper cable (the positive cable) cable) positive (the jumper cable Clamp the red to Clamp the black jumper cable (the negative cable) cable) negative (the Clamp the black jumper cable terminal, battery negative car’s the booster to with a “–.” marked Clamp the other end of the red jumper cable to the the to jumper cable the red end of Clamp the other marked also terminal, battery positive car’s booster with a “+.” Start the dead car’s engine and let it idle for it idle for engine and let car’s the dead Start a few minutes. a few Clamp the other end of the black jumper cable to to the black jumper cable end of Clamp the other car. the dead on the engine of surface metal a bare grounding provides This be a bolt or a screw. can This metal bare find a cannot (If you the jump-start. for the to the black jumper cable then clamp surface, marked also terminal, battery negative car’s dead with a “–.”) If the dead car still doesn’t start, well, the problem the problem well, start, doesn’t still car If the dead out truck, break a tow Call Sorry. the battery. isn’t a granola bar from your emergency kit, have a a have kit, emergency your from bar a granola snack and wait. Disconnect the black jumper cable from the once- the from cable the black jumper Disconnect the black jumper disconnect Then engine. dead car. the booster from cable Turn off both engines. both off Turn

Disconnect the red jumper cable from the booster the booster from jumper cable the red Disconnect car. Then disconnect the red jumper cable from from jumper cable the red disconnect Then car. the once-dead car. the once-dead 8. 9. 7. 6. 5. Find a car to serve as the booster car. car. as the booster serve to 1. Find a car other. each touch do not that the cars sure 2. Make 3. 4. ow to use jumper cables cables jumper use to How with will be confronted you life, in your point some At happen when it will likely And most battery. a dead running late. already are you 11. 10. 12.

Flashlight First aid kit First Protein or energy bars or energy Protein Blanket or sleeping bag or sleeping Blanket if you have a small child have if you Baby formula and diapers and diapers formula Baby and emergency messages and emergency Flares or reflective triangle or reflective Flares jacket and an extra change of clothes change of and an extra jacket Bottled water Bottled AM/FM radio to listen to traffic reports reports traffic to listen to AM/FM radio Jumper cables s ncie rge eme Warm clothes, gloves, hat, sturdy boots, boots, sturdy hat, gloves, clothes, Warm Cat litter or sand for better tire traction tire better for or sand litter Cat Shovel and ice scraper and ice Shovel for anything. anything. for This list is for a totally spec’d out, grand deluxe deluxe grand out, spec’d a totally is for list This in a snowdrift, stuck Flat tire, kit. emergency be ready this kit you’ll alien invasion—with EMERGENCY CAR KIT This rarely happens, but if it does, immediately immediately if it does, but happens, rarely This will This FAST! pedal. pumping the brake start allowing lines, in the brake build up pressure The brakes areout! you to slow down. If that fails, well, that’s what what that’s well, If that fails, down. slow to you it up, yank Don’t is for. brake the emergency going are if you especially apply it gradually, mph or more. 30

The scenic route Car Maintenance

ute

o the scenic the scenic

Car Maintenance

alley alley tal Heritage Byway Heritage tal s a alley Byway alley ne V ywi Drive time: About an hour Drive Northern New Castle County, between between County, Castle Northern New and 48 52 routes roads 28 of is a network Byway Valley Clay Red gardens. and beautiful miles 12.25 Length: Co Route 9 9 Route the with experience an intimate drivers Offering on the East marshland coastal preserved largest is a scenic, Byway Heritage 9 Coastal Route Coast, along the Delaware that follows road two-lane Estuary. and Bay River 50 miles Approximately Length: an hour over time: A little Drive V Red Clay spectacular that affords County Castle in New vistas and scenic hillsides wooded of views Cuba Mt. Bridge, including the Ashland Covered Preserve. Heights and the Auburn Center miles 27 Approximately Length: an hour time: About Drive nd Bra nic Byway onal Sce Nati traveling Wilmington in Square Rodney From museums educational estates, historic gorgeous on routes 52 and 100 to the DE-PA state line. state the DE-PA and 100 to 52 on routes Byway National Scenic Valley Brandywine The hills and past rolling through way winds its Air Mobility Command Museum Command Air Mobility Mile at the Monster Monster The Championship Punkin Chunkin World

The Woodland Ferry Woodland The Dover Diner, Hollywood The World’s Largest Frying Pan Frying Largest World’s

ad Byway

s Byway ex Byway tern Suss s rive d nic sce s

ailro ttractions (including the loops) miles 95 Approximately Length: time: About 3 hours Drive sites that played a role in Tubman’s historic historic in Tubman’s a role that played sites journeys. freedom R visit to an opportunity travelers gives Byway The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Railroad Underground Tubman Harriet The US 13 onto routes 15 and 9 routes US 13 onto Harriet Tubman Underground ills Neck Road, New Road, Kings Highway, Kings Highway, Road, New Gills Neck Road, Street, Road and Savannah Henlopen Drive Cape hour time: 1 Drive Length: 12.35 miles on Pilottown Road/First Road/First on Pilottown miles 12.35 Length: With ocean views and historical sites dating back back dating sites historical and views ocean With takes Byway Lewes The years, than 300 more Henlopen and Cape old Lewes through travelers Park. State Route 9 and Coastal Highway 1 Highway 9 and Coastal Route Lewe Length: About 35 miles About 35 Length: minutes time: About 45 Drive We through moves Byway Sussex Western The towns historic areas, wooded farmlands, scenic River the Nanticoke and crosses parks, and state Along the way, Ferry. Woodland on the historic abound. biking and boating hiking, for opportunities US 13 Delaware Delaware

A roadside roadside car maintenance C ar Mai n te a ce maintenance

Oil is very important Need new wipers?

Oil lubricates the moving parts in your Do they look cracked or brittle? engine. Over time, dirt and debris builds up Do they leave streaks on the windshield? in the oil. And the more dirt, the harder it is for the parts to move. And this will cause the Do they hardly make a difference? engine to work harder. You need new wipers. If you never changed the oil, so much gunk Yes? would build up in the oil that the engine would stop moving altogether. And then you’d have to walk. (Refer to the “Pedestrian Safety” section for tips on how to walk safely if this Fuel-saving tips happens to you.)

CHeck your You can improve your gas But you don’t have to change it every 3,000 miles. owner’s manual for mileage by up to 3.3% by keeping proper PSI your tires properly inflated. Oil chemistry has improved over the years so that you don’t have to change your oil every An extra 100 pounds in your car 3,000 miles. Check your car’s owner’s manual. can lower gas mileage by up to 2%. +100 It will probably say that you only need to change it every 5,000 or 10,000 miles or so. Keep your windows up on the highway. Open windows increase drag and can lower fuel economy by up to 10%.

Need new tires? Restarting your car uses less fuel than letting it idle for long periods Tires are what keep you, literally, on the road. of time. If you think you are going It only takes a penny to see if you to be stopped for more than a need a new set. minute, turn your car off.

1 Take a penny and put it face up Slow and steady acceleration into the tire tread, starting and braking can increase fuel with the top of Lincoln’s head. economy by up to 2%.

1 If you can see Abe’s entire head, then you need new tires. Honest.

Also, if you see cracks on your sidewalls, that’s not patina, that’s another sign that you need new tires. maintenance

Record of Oil & Filter Changes and Routine Inspections