Driving can mean many things—hobby, profession, or simply a necessity. For most of us, it’s essential: commuting to work or school, visiting family, or running errands. And everyone has to start somewhere.
While many driving schools and adults teach the basics, it can be helpful to have a reference guide to revisit. This guide is designed for first-time drivers to understand the interior and controls of their car. We’ll cover everything from the gauge cluster and pedals to the steering wheel and stalks, explain some advanced features, and give tips on warning signs to watch for while driving.
Keep in mind this is a general guide applicable to most vehicles. Your car may have slight differences, and we’ll mention specific examples where helpful.
The Basics: The Controls You Will Need To Operate a Vehicle Safely
Before you can safely get your car on the road, it’s important to understand the basic controls and equipment. This section will cover the essential components you’ll need to operate, helping you feel confident behind the wheel.
The Ignition
To get your car running, you’ll need to start it. Most modern vehicles feature a push-to-start system: keep the key fob on your person inside the car, press the brake pedal (for automatic transmissions) or fully depress the clutch (for manual cars in neutral), and then press the start button. The engine and electronics should power up immediately.
For older cars, you’ll use a traditional key ignition: insert the key into the ignition slot and turn it to start the engine. In manual vehicles, it’s safest to fully depress the clutch, even if the car isn’t in gear.
Some vehicles from the late 2000s to early 2010s used transitional systems. You might need to place the key fob in a dashboard slot before pressing the start button, or follow a slightly different procedure. Always check your owner’s manual if you’re unsure.
The Pedals
Most cars have three pedals arranged from left to right:
Clutch – Found only in manual (stick-shift) cars, the clutch pedal connects the engine to the gearbox. Pressing it allows you to change gears smoothly. Automatic cars do not have a clutch pedal.
Brake – Used to slow down or stop the car. All vehicles, whether gas, electric, hybrid, automatic, or manual, have a brake pedal. The way you apply it may differ depending on the vehicle type and driving conditions.
Accelerator (Gas) – Used to increase the car’s speed. Press it gently to accelerate smoothly.
Many manual cars also have a footrest on the far left. This is not a pedal, but a place to rest your left foot when it’s not operating the clutch. It helps with comfort and control during driving.
The Steering Wheel
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The steering wheel is your primary interface for controlling the direction of the car, but modern wheels often do more than just steer. Here’s what you should know:
Shapes and Features
Some wheels are simple and round, while others are flat-bottomed (common in performance cars) or oval-shaped, like the 2024 Subaru Solterra.
Many come with heating for cold days, helping you maintain grip and comfort.
Steering effort varies: some wheels are light and easy to turn, while others, especially in older cars without power steering, require more effort.
Controls on the Wheel
Modern steering wheels often have buttons for audio, cruise control, and gauge cluster adjustments.
Some wheels even allow you to switch driving modes or control multimedia systems without taking your hands off the wheel.
Adjusting the Wheel
Most cars let you adjust the wheel’s tilt and position. Older cars usually have a manual lever or paddle, while higher-end vehicles may use electronic controls.
Horn
The horn is located on the steering wheel. Its purpose is to warn other drivers or alert pedestrians. It’s not for greetings or expressing anger—use responsibly!
Tip
Familiarize yourself with your car’s steering ratio and weight so you know how responsive the wheel is, particularly if driving a car new to you.
The Stalks
The stalks on your steering column are where you’ll find your indicators (blinkers) and some of your lighting controls. They also let you control your windscreen wipers—their speed and activation—as well as the window washer. In some newer models that have brought the gear selector back to the column, all these controls are now combined onto a single large stalk. A few manufacturers even add a second stalk just for the cruise control.
The Gear Shifter Or Gear Selector
Traditionally, cars have a gear shifter that’s easy to spot. In manual cars, you get a stick shift with a patterned layout showing where each gear is. Automatic cars look a bit different—they move in fewer directions. The classic setup is the familiar PRND, and some transmissions add extra options to force the car into a lower gear, like PRND12. Hybrids and electric cars can have slightly different layouts, like PRNDB or PRNDL, where the B or L means the drivetrain slows the car down more when coasting to capture energy for the battery.
Some modern cars have mixed things up. You might see buttons for gear selection, a rotary dial, or even a column-mounted shifter. Jaguar made the famous J-gate automatic, Mercedes-Benz has used column shifters for years, and brands like Lincoln and Aston Martin have experimented with button-style shifters. Despite the differences, they all share one thing: a light or icon that shows which gear the car is in.
If you drive an off-road car with 4WD, you may also see extra shifters for low-range gears. But even that is evolving as technology improves.
The Parking Brake, AKA Handbrake
The parking brake is used to keep your car from rolling when it’s stopped and should always be engaged whenever you leave the driver’s seat. There are three main types. First, some older cars have a foot-operated brake—a pedal on the left of your clutch or brake that you press to engage and press again to release. Second, there’s the traditional handbrake: a lever you pull up to lock in place, then push a button and lower to disengage. Lastly, many modern cars use an electronic parking brake, which is controlled by a simple button.
Electronic parking brakes are now standard and come with extra safety features to prevent rolling. For example, some have “auto-hold,” which keeps the car stopped even after you lift your foot from the brake pedal. The system releases automatically when it senses you press the accelerator or enough pressure on the clutch. Another safety feature is automatic engagement: the parking brake will turn on if a door is opened, and you’ll need to press the button to release it.
The Next Level: The Dashboard, Cluster, Mirrors, And Safety.
The Dashboard Gauge Cluster
The most important visual tool in your car is the driver’s gauge cluster, also called the instrument cluster, located in the dashboard. It usually includes your tachometer, speedometer, fuel or battery gauge, temperature gauge, and odometer. The tachometer shows your engine’s RPM, which can help you know when to shift gears—or just keep track of engine speed in an automatic. The speedometer tells you how fast you’re going, which is essential to avoid speeding.
You’ll often see other info too, like fuel consumption, driving time, distance traveled, or how far you can go before refueling or recharging. In modern or luxury cars, the gauge cluster can be digital and customizable, showing things like maps, music info, or radar cruise control settings.
The cluster also has a temperature gauge to alert you if the car is overheating, plus warning lights for any problems. Some cars, like the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, skip the traditional cluster entirely, showing all this information on a large infotainment screen instead.
The Seat Belts
One of the most important safety features in any car is the seat belt, and it should be worn every time you drive. In some modern cars, you even need to buckle up to release the parking brake. For rear passengers, the middle seat belt usually doesn’t work with the outer belts, so make sure you’re using the correct buckle—otherwise, it won’t click in properly.
Many new cars now come with seat belt pretensioners. Don’t be surprised if a 2024 or 2025 model automatically tightens the seat belts when driving aggressively or if the car senses a potential collision.
You might also hear a warning beep or see a warning light on the dashboard if you’re not buckled up. It’s all about safety first!
The Rearview Mirror
The rearview mirror is essential for staying aware of your surroundings while driving and parking. For years, they were pretty straightforward, but today they can look and work quite differently. The most basic type is a regular mirror you adjust by hand—just set it so you have the clearest view out the back window. Underneath the glass, there’s usually a small tab called the dimmer. You can pull or push it to reduce glare from headlights at night. Many modern cars now have automatic dimming, which adjusts on its own when it senses bright lights behind you.
Another growing trend is the mirror camera. These mirrors not only show you the rear view but can also display the backup camera feed when reversing. Some newer cars don’t even have traditional mirrors at all—they rely entirely on cameras, especially if there’s no rear window. The Polestar 4 and 5 are good examples of this setup.
Basic Safety Controls
There are a few other basic safety controls inside your car worth knowing. Your hazard lights, which you use to warn other drivers if your car is stopped in a dangerous spot or having trouble, are usually on the center console. They’re easy to spot—marked with a red triangle, often with a white outline, and sometimes lit up for convenience.
Another important control, especially if you’re towing, is the headlight leveling dial. Some cars adjust this automatically, but if yours doesn’t, you’ll find a small dial to the left of the steering wheel. Turn it to adjust your headlights so they point where you want without blinding oncoming drivers.
Convenience Features And Infotainment
Now that you’re ready to drive, let’s take a look at the features that make your journey more enjoyable—like your infotainment system and its controls.
That said, we don’t recommend using these controls while driving unless you’re very familiar with your car. Distracted driving is dangerous, so always stay focused on the road first.
The HVAC Controls
Also called the heater, temperature, or A/C controls, the HVAC system not only keeps the cabin comfortable but also helps de-ice or de-fog your windows. Some cars use buttons, while others put the controls on a touchscreen, but they all work in a similar way. The three main controls are temperature, airflow direction, and fan speed.
Temperature control comes first. In basic cars, this might be a blue-to-red dial showing a general range, or a digital setting with numbers. More advanced cars with single- or dual-zone climate control have actual temperature gauges, letting you set the exact temperature for yourself or a passenger. Many of these cars also have an “Auto” button: just set the temperature and the system keeps the cabin at that level automatically. Keep in mind, older or cheaper cars may not have air conditioning, meaning the system can only blow air at or above the outside temperature. In cars with A/C, the system often activates it automatically when needed, or you can turn it on manually.
Next is airflow direction, which lets you choose where the air goes—toward your head, your feet, or the windscreen. Most cars allow multiple directions at once. The windscreen option is especially important for clearing mist or ice and may also turn on the wing mirror de-misters.
Finally, there’s fan speed, which controls how much air flows through the vents. Other HVAC features include the recirculation button, which keeps the cabin air circulating instead of bringing in outside air—useful for heating or cooling quickly or avoiding smoke and odors. You may also have a rear window de-fogger, which heats the rear glass to remove mist or frost.
The Center Console
These days, the middle compartment in a car is usually called the center console. You’ll use it all the time while driving, since it holds the shifter (or gear selector), parking brake, and often cupholders and an armrest. Modern cupholders have become more advanced, with some even offering heating or cooling features. Depending on the car and its infotainment system, the center console might also have a trackpad or a wheel/dial to help you scroll and select options on your screen.
Infotainment System Or Multimedia Screen
Often called the infotainment display or multimedia screen, your car’s infotainment system lets you control things like audio, navigation, and, in some cars, climate settings. Some modern infotainment systems are becoming huge—almost taking up the entire dashboard. Brands like Lincoln, Cadillac, and Mercedes-Benz now offer cars with full-width screens that stretch from one side of the car to the other.
Most infotainment systems have a user interface created by the car manufacturer. Depending on the vehicle and its features, the infotainment system may be your main point of interaction in the car, aside from the steering wheel. Most systems have a home screen showing basic information and a small map for navigation. These screens are usually customizable to match your preferences. In some premium cars, you’ll also see climate controls here, either at the bottom of the screen or by pressing a shortcut on the screen or center console.
Audio and phone controls are often part of the infotainment system too. You can connect your phone via Bluetooth or a USB-C/USB-A cable to stream music and make calls through the car’s speakers. Many modern cars also support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which mirror your phone screen and let you use apps like Waze or Spotify in a consistent, user-friendly way. Keep in mind that some cars may require a wired connection or may not support these features at all.
Some infotainment systems include built-in navigation, letting you set any destination. Older luxury cars may require SD cards or discs for maps in certain regions due to system limitations. You can also usually adjust audio settings, including bass, treble, mids, and the direction of the sound in the cabin. We recommend familiarizing yourself with your infotainment system before driving. Some poorly designed or complex systems have been criticized for keeping drivers’ eyes off the road. In fact, some modern systems can even detect when you’re tapping the screen too much and will temporarily lock it for safety.
Finally, many cars integrate ADAS (advanced driver-assist systems) into the center screen. Here, you can turn various safety features on or off. One thing to note: some systems, like speed limit warnings, may reset to “on” every time you start the car due to regulations, so you might need to switch them off each time.
Storage And Other Features
Finally, let’s take a look at storage and other small features inside your car that make driving a little more comfortable and convenient.
Door Cards
The door panel, sometimes called the door card, isn’t just for the handle or armrest—it also provides some storage. In most everyday cars, there’s a small bin at the bottom of the door for holding items, plus a bottle holder. Higher up, you’ll find the window controls and door handle—unless you’re in an older car with manual windows.
The driver’s door usually has extra features that passenger doors don’t, such as window lockouts, electric mirror controls, and a door unlock button.
The Armrest
Not every car has one, but the armrest and its storage area are becoming increasingly versatile. Most armrests can slide back and forth, and some even let you adjust the height. Modern armrests can be quite advanced, with split levels, USB ports for charging your devices, and even heating or cooling—both on the surface and inside the storage compartment.
Some brands, like Genesis, go a step further by offering UV technology that kills bacteria on items placed inside. On more practical vehicles, like pickup trucks and vans, the center armrest can include extra features. For example, some Ram models have a built-in measurement table, and the latest Ford F-150 can even fold out into a small table for writing or typing.
The Trunk Release And Hood Opener
Some cars have a trunk release button, either on the door or to the left of the steering wheel. Pressing it can either pop the trunk so someone outside can open it, or fully open and sometimes even close it electronically. Some sedans, like the base Audi A6, use a middle-ground system: the trunk pops open with help from the struts but still needs to be closed by hand.
Similarly, the hood release latch is usually located under the steering wheel or somewhere in the driver’s footwell, within easy reach.
Other Features Inside Your Car You Might Need To Know About:
- Seats: Depending on the car’s make, model, and age, your seat may have electronic controls on the side to adjust things like the backrest, bolsters, height, and distance from the pedals. Older cars use manual levers for the same adjustments. Always take a moment to get familiar with how your seat works.
- Sun visors: Almost all cars have sun visors that flip down to block glare. They’re actually a safety feature and can usually swivel to block sunlight coming from the side. Many sun visors also have mirrors—but drivers should avoid using these while driving.
- Glovebox: This is usually your main storage area and comes in different shapes and sizes. Some trucks and SUVs even have two! Many gloveboxes can be locked to keep valuables safe. They’re also a handy place for emergency items, like phone chargers or a small first aid kit.
FAQs:
What are the parts called inside a car?
The inside of a car, called the cabin, has many different parts. The steering wheel, pedals, dashboard, infotainment system, and center console all come together to form the cockpit—the area where the driver controls and “pilots” the car.
Which SUV has the nicest interior?
The SUVs with the most luxurious interiors usually come from brands like Rolls-Royce, Range Rover, or Bentley. That said, brands such as Genesis, Lincoln, Mercedes, and BMW also offer some very well-crafted and comfortable cabins.
What car brand has the nicest interior?
It really depends on what you consider “nice.” Brands like Audi and Genesis focus on understated, elegant interiors, while Mercedes-Benz emphasizes high-tech features. Rolls-Royce and Bentley, on the other hand, go all out with ultra-luxurious cabins.
How does a car work step by step for beginners?
A car works by converting fuel into motion. First, you start the engine, which burns fuel to create energy. This energy moves pistons, which turn the crankshaft. The crankshaft powers the transmission, sending power to the wheels, making the car move. The brakes, steering, and other systems help you control the car safely.
How do you describe a car’s interior?
A car’s interior includes the seats, dashboard, steering wheel, pedals, and controls. You can describe it by its material (leather, fabric), color, layout, and features like infotainment screens, cup holders, or storage space.
How to drive a car for beginners step by step?
Start by adjusting your seat and mirrors. Buckle up, press the brake, and start the engine. Learn to use the accelerator to go and the brake to stop. Practice steering, turning, and using signals. Always check mirrors and surroundings, and drive slowly until you feel confident.
What are the controls of a car for beginners?
The main controls are the steering wheel, accelerator (gas pedal), brake pedal, clutch (for manual cars), gear shift, turn signals, lights, and windshield wipers. Other helpful controls include the horn, parking brake, and infotainment buttons.
