Comprehensive Vehicle Familiarization

This course reviews common vehicle controls, types of tires, pumping fuel as well as understanding the safety equipment of your vehicle.

Hands-On Learning Experience

Step-by-step guidance on safely changing a tire,  boosting a vehicle or changing windshield wiper blades during our in person session.

Boost Confidence on the Road

Gain the knowledge and confidence needed to handle common car maintenance tasks independently.

About the Course

Are you a new or inexperienced driver looking to enhance your car knowledge and skills?  Our 'Vehicle Familiarization' program is designed just for you. Fire N Ice Driving Academy's Vehicle Familiarization Program introduces students to the following: - How to identify the different fluids and their locations - Understanding how much fluid you should put in each fluid container and why - How to use Jumper (booster) cables - How to change a flat tire - How to use a gas pump at a gas station - How to use an EV charging station - How to use a squeegee to clean your vehicles windows - Where to find tire pressure information This is a great program for new or inexperienced drivers.

Meet Your Instructor

Hello, I'm James Parker. I have been a licensed heavy duty mechanic since 1994.  Although I worked on off road construction equipment for 30+ years, I specialized in heaters and air conditioning systems.  One of my jobs was to mentor younger mechanics. Since retiring, I have found that I still like teaching.   I am looking forward to helping others learn the basics of what is required to maintain their own vehicle. I also serve double duty as a Driving Instructor.

Meet Your Other Instructor

Hello, I'm Mike Brennan.  I'm the owner of Fire N Ice Driving Academy. Although I do most of the administration work at Fire N Ice Driving Academy, I help James out teaching our Vehicle Familiarization hands on portion. I look forward to seeing you at our next hands on session. I also serve double duty as a Driving Instructor.

Course Curriculum

22 Chapters · 74 Lessons

  1. 1

    Course introduction

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      A word from Fire N Ice Driving Academy

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      How will you benefit from this course?

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Will there be a test or quiz?

  2. 2

    Safety walkaround

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Why do a walkaround?

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      What to look for?

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Looking out for others

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Obstacles and driveways

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Did you know?

  3. 3

    Tires

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      What touches the road

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Where is the spare?

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Understanding specifications

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Winter tires

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      All season tires

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Summer tires

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Traction aids - tire chains

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Tire pressure

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Changing a tire

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Tire wear indicators

  4. 4

    Entering and starting your vehicle

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      What to do BEFORE I start driving

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      What to do AFTER I start my vehicle

  5. 5

    Seatbelts

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Essential safety equipment

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Children and infants

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Safety and the law

  6. 6

    Airbags

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      What they are

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      How they work

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      After the airbag had deflated

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Airbags and pets

  7. 7

    Lights

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Daytime running/head and taillights

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      How to check running/head and taillights

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Fog lights

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Hazard lights

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Reverse and licence plate lights

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Signal turn indicator lights

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Interior lights

  8. 8

    Vehicle cameras

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      What NOT to do with cameras

  9. 9

    Windshield wiper blades

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      When to change your wiper blades

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Different types for different conditions

  10. 10

    Fluids

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Brake fluid

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Power steering fluid

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Engine oil

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Windshield washer fluid

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Radiator coolant fluid

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Transmission fluid

  11. 11

    Changing wiper blades

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Removing old wiper blades

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Installing new wiper blades

  12. 12

    Boosting a vehicle/using booster cables

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Properly using booster cables

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Safety with lead acid batteries

  13. 13

    Using fuel pumps

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Fuel types

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      How to use fuel pumps

  14. 14

    Electric vehicle charging process

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Charging your EV

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Special EV safety items

  15. 15

    Diesel vehicles

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Differences from gasoline engines

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Things to watch with diesel vehicles

  16. 16

    Hybrid vehicles

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      What are they?

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Notes on hybrid vehicles

  17. 17

    Potholes

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      What are potholes?

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Dangers of potholes

  18. 18

    Emergency travel kits

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Contents of kit (summer and winter)

  19. 19

    Did you know?

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      EVs require special tires

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      It is illegal to drive in bare feet

  20. 20

    Quizzes

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Practice course quiz

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Graduating course quiz

  21. 21

    Feedback

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      We are always trying to improve

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Vehicle Familiarization course survey

  22. 22

    Image Acknowledgements

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Graphic acknowledgements

Student Testimonials

Discover how our course is transforming the way individuals approach car maintenance and driving.

”
Text-only testimonials are quick to scan and can highlight the value of your product at a glance.
Jessica L.

Las Vegas, NV

The combination of text and imagery make the testimonial feel more personal and credible.
Ashley T.

Working mom

”
Finally, a handbook that makes photography feel simple! It covers everything from camera settings to post-processing in a way that actually makes sense.
Anna W.

Amateur photographer

Ready to become familiar with your vehicle?

Enroll now and gain the skills to identify key components of your vehicle and confidently handle common car maintenance tasks that every new driver should know.

Enroll Now