Session 33: Vehicle emergencies pt. 1

True or False: In the event your engine dies, it is impossible to turn the steering wheel.

(a.) False. b. True.

True or False: You should brake immediately in the event of a tire blowout.

(a.) False. b. True.

What is the FIRST thing you should do if your brakes stop working?

(a.) Pump the brake pedal several times. b. Shift into lower gears. c. Turn the car off. d. Use the parking or emergency brake.

Tire Blowout

If a tire suddenly goes flat: - tightly hold the steering wheel and keep the vehicle going straight. - gradually slow down. Take your foot off the gas pedal but don't apply the brakes until the vehicle has almost stopped. - do not stop on the road if at all possible. Pull off the road in a safe place.

Power Failure

If the engine dies while you are driving: - keep a strong grip on the steering wheel. Leave key in the "on" position. Be aware that the steering wheel may be difficult to turn, but you can turn it. - pull off the roadway. The brakes will still work, but you may have to push very hard on the brake pedal.

Headlight Failure

If your headlights suddenly go out: - try the headlight switch a few times. - if that does not work, put on the emergency flashers, turn signals or fog lights if you have them. - pull off the road as soon as possible.

How do you avoid having the parking brake lock up?

a. Apply the brake as far as it will go. (b.) Hold in the brake release button or foot brake release. c. Repeatedly apply and release the brake very quickly. d. None of the above.

What greatly reduces the chance your vehicle will have an emergency problem?

a. Avoid driving at night. (b.) Follow the preventative measures listed in your vehicle owner's manual. c. Follow the speed limit. d. Wash your car regularly.

What should be your last resort if your brakes stop working?

a. Drive off the road. (b.) Start shifting into lower gears and look for a safe place to slow to a stop. c. Start steering back and forth rapidly. d. Turn the car off.

What should you do if your engine dies while you are driving?

a. Keep a strong grip on the steering wheel. b. Leave the key in the "on" position. c. Pull off the roadway. (d.) All of the above.

What should you turn on if your headlights suddenly go out?

a. Your emergency flashers. b. Your fog lights. c. Your turn signals. (d.) Any of these.

Brake Failure

If your brakes stop working: - pump the brake pedal several times. This will often build up enough brake pressure to allow you to stop. - If that does not work, use the parking brake. Apply the parking brake slowly so you will not lock the wheels and cause a skid. Be ready to release the brake if your vehicle does start to skid (by holding in the brake release button or holding the foot brake release, you can avoid having the parking brake lock up). - If that does not work, start shifting to lower gears and look for a safe place to slow to a stop. Make sure your vehicle is off the roadway. Do not drive a vehicle without brakes.

The hood of your vehicle flies open while driving, you should:

a. activate the hazard lights and begin an emergency stop. b. activate the hazard lights and move to the shoulder of the road. (c.) maintain steering control by looking through the space between the hood and the dash. d. shift to neutral and coast to the shoulder of the road.

If your vehicle is skidding, you should...

a. brake hard while steering in the direction of the skid. b. keep constant pressure on the accelerator. c. keep the steering wheel from moving until you are out of the skid. (d.) turn the wheels in the direction you want to go.

In order to jump start (boost) your vehicle using another vehicle, make sure the vehicles have the engines turned off, have the parking brakes applied and are not touching each other, then...

a. connect each end of the red cable to the pole (marked "+" or "P") on each battery. b. connect one end of the black cable to the pole (marked "-" or "N") on the boosting battery. c. attach the other end of the black cable to the engine block or frame of your vehicle. (d.) all of these, in order.

When the temperature light comes on as you are driving, it usually means that the:

a. fluid level in the radiator is too low. b. temperature inside the car is too warm. c. water pump is not working properly. (d.) engine temperature is above a safe level.

If the right tires of your vehicle have dropped off the pavement onto the shoulder, what would be the best way to get back on the pavement without initiating a skid?

a. grip the steering firmly and stabilize your vehicle parallel to the pavement. b. ease off the accelerator, allow the vehicle to reduce speed, then check the traffic and signal. c. steer a quarter turn to the left and then counter steer to center your vehicle in the lane. (d.) all of these in order.

You have pulled as far off the right shoulder as possible to change a tire. You should also:

a. have someone wave to passing motorists. (b.) turn on the emergency flasher lights. c. turn on your headlights. d. all of these, in order.