Chapter 13 Handling Emergencies

How could you minimize vehicle damage caused by potholes? (279)

Slow down to prevent tire damage. Driving slow will help you keep control of your vehicle.

sudden loss of tire air pressure while driving

blowout

If you have a blowout, which action should you avoid?

A-ease up on accelerator B-pull off onto the shoulder slowly C-brake hard D-turn on hazard lights Answer is C (braking can cause the vehicle to swerve)

Vehicle fires generally start in the ________.

Engine compartment

An engine __________ when it has too much fuel and not enough air.

Floods

A ________ collision produces the greatest force of impact of any collision.

Head-on

When water collects in roadway cracks, _______ can develop.

Potholes

What are the follow-up steps you should take after a collision? (284)

Record witnesses names and addresses Give police the facts File necessary reports

loss of braking effectiveness caused by overheating of the brakes after long, continuous, hard braking

brake fade

steer in the opposite direction

countersteer

back and forth swerving of the rear of a vehicle

fishtailing

hand-operated device used to lift and hold one corner or side of the vehicle

jack

Devices that hold the wheel to the vehicle

lug nuts

What should you do if you enter a curve to fast? (279)

1)Brake gently as soon as you realize your problem. If you are not yet in the curve, brake more firmly. If you are already in the curve, brake, but do not lock the wheels. 2)About halfway through the curve, look to your target and accelerate gently to help stabilize our vehicle.

What actions should you take if a tire blows out? (268-269)

1)Grip the steering wheel firmly 2)Ease up on the accelerator to slow the vehicle. DO NOT BRAKE this can cause swerving. 3)Check the traffic situation as you gain control of the vehicle. 4)Drive off the roadway slowly, braking gently. 5)Turn on hazard flashers. Drive slowly until you find a safe location to stop.

If your vehicle runs off the roadway, how should you return it to the roadway? (276-277)

1)Hold the steering wheel firmly on the top half with both hands. The greater the drop off the greater the steering control you need. 2)Let up on the accelerator and brake gently to 5-10 mph. Avoid hard braking. 3)Position our vehicle so it straddles the roadway edge. 4)Select a place to return to the roadway where the shoulder is nearest the level of the roadway. 5)Check for traffic. Signal, check your blind spot, and return to the roadway. 6)Steer 1/8 to 1/4 of a turn toward the roadway to return. 7)Countersteer sharply the instant the front tire touches the roadway. You countersteer when you steer in the opposite direction. 8)Center the vehicle in lane position 1 and reestablish your target. Cancel your signal. Accelerate to match the flow of traffic.

What should you do if your accelerator sticks? (271)

1)Kick the side of the accelerator once to try to jar it free. 2)Apply the brakes. 3)Choose an escape path that leads to an open zone off the roadway. Continue braking. 4)If you are steering into a sharp curve or turn, shift to NEUTRAL. Depress the clutch in a stick shift vehicle. The engine will race, but power is removed from the wheels. You might damage the engine or transmission in an automatic transmission, but you might also avoid a collision. 5)Follow your escape path off the roadway. 6)Turn off the ignition once you are off the roadway.

How would you escape a vehicle that is sinking in water? (280)

1)Open the window that is the most out of the water. 2)Unfasten your safety belt. Check passengers and have them unfasten their belts. 3)Exit promptly through the open window.

What are the proper steps to follow if the brakes fail? (270)

1)Pump the brake pedal. Pumping might temporarily restore enough brake-fluid pressure to slow or stop your vehicle. You should know after three or four pumps if your brakes are going to hold. 2)Downshift to a lower gear. This uses the braking power of the engine to slow. 3)Pull and hold the parking-brake release lever out or hold the parking-brake button at "OFF". Apply the parking brake. you can quickly release the parking brake for a moment if the vehicle begins to skid. 4)Search for an open zone.Your can still steer. As a last resort, rub the wheels against a curb to reduce speed. If a collision is unavoidable, steer for a sideswipe rather than colliding head-on into something solid.

What are the immediate steps you should take if a collision occurs? (283-284)

1)Stop Immediately. 2)Aid the injured. 3)Prevent further damage. 4)Send for police. 5)Exchange information.

What should you do in case of steering failure? (273)

1)Use your horn and hazard flashers to communicate your emergency. 2)Stop as quickly and safely as possible. Lift your foot from the accelerator. DO NOT BRAKE. Braking could cause the car to skid. Use the parking brake. Hold the parking brake release "OFF" and use a quick on-off action. 3)Shift to a lower gear.

To avoid a side-impact collision, you should...

A-lock your brakes B-brake or accelerate quickly C-steer to the left D-steer to the right Answer is B (do whichever seems more likely to lessen the collision impact)

Which action should you take first if the accelerator sticks while you are driving?

A-shift into a lower gear B-turn off the ignition C-apply the parking brake D-kick the side of the accelerator Answer is D (this may jar it free)

How do you avoid or minimize head-on, side-impact, and rear-end collisions? (281-282)

HEAD ON 1)Maintain control, brake hard 2)Blow horn and flash lights, continue braking and move to the right. 3)Steer right toward the shoulder. DO NOT steer left. SIDE-IMPACT 1)Brake or accelerate quickly whatever helps lessen or avoid the collision. 2)Blow horn to alert the other driver. 3)Change lanes or swerve away from the impact. Be aware of traffic around you. REAR-END 1)Flash you brake lights early to alert approaching car. 2)Check front zone for open space and move into open space. 3)If the intersection is clear, accelerate to give the other driver more space to stop. If your path is not clear, turn right. 4)If a collision is unavoidable, release your brakes just before the collision occurs. Brake immediately after the collision to avoid siding into another traffic lane.

When should you us an emergency swerve? (277-278)

Only to avoid a collision. Swerve only when you believe that braking will not prevent a collision. At speeds over 30 mph you can usually swerve to a new path in less distance than the distance you needed to stop safely.