NH Drivers Notes Chapter 13.1: Vehicle Malfunctions

Def: Blowout

occurs when a tire loses air pressure suddenly

What are the two systems of brakes in a car?

one for the front wheels and one for the back wheels

When might your engine overheat?

1. Hot weather 2. stop-and-go traffic 3. driving up long hills with a/c on

What 4 steps do you follow if you have a "total brake failure"?

1. Pump the foot brake pedal (can pump enough fluid pressure to stop the car) 2. Downshift to a lower gear (use the engine to slow car) 3. Pull and hold the parking-brake release lever or hold parking brake button at OFF. (quickly release for a moment if car starts to skid) 4. Search for a safe place to steer towards. (Last resort is to rub the wheels against a curb to reduce speed)

What other lights can you try if your headlights flicker?

Dimmer switch, parking lights, hazard flashers to help illuminate your path to a safe place on the side of the road.

Tires wear more quickly due to

driving and poor maintenance conditions, abrupt braking, sharp steering, under inflation and over inflation.

Cause tires to wear unevenly

unbalanced wheels and poor alignment.

What 4 steps should you follow if your car starts to smoke?

1. Quickly steer the car to a safe, open area off the road. (Stay away from building and gas stations) & turn the ignition OFF 2. Passengers should move at least 100 feet away 3. Leave the hood closed (even if you see flames) & DO NOT try to put out the fire. 4. Move away from the car and wait for fire department. The gas tank could explode.

What 3 steps do you follow if you have engine failure?

1. Shift to NEUTRAL when engine first sputters or stops. 2. Begin moving out of traffic to shoulder/turn on hazard flashers/Do NOT brake 3. Try to restart engine while you're moving and again when you stop on shoulder

What 3 steps do you follow if you engine overheats?

1. Turn of a/c & turn on heater (to draw heat from engine) 2. Shift to NEUTRAL when stopped & gently press the accelerator to rev the engine 3. If light stays on; stop, turn off engine and let cool.

What are the 5 steps to follow if you have a rear blowout?

1. grip wheel firmly 2. slow the vehicle but do not break 3. check traffic situation 4. slowly drive off the road & break gently 5. turn on hazards and drive slowly until you find a safe place to stop

What should you do if your car stalls on a railroad track and a train is approaching from either direction at any speed?

Abandon the car immediately and get as far away as possible by running TOWARDS the train on the side of the tracks

When does brake fade occur?

After continuous hard braking

What direction do you pull if a front tire blows out?

Against the pull of the car

What can you do to maintain better control of the car if you have your forward vision blocked?

Be aware of your targeting path before you lose forward vision.

Why should you put your car in NEUTRAL if you car engine stops?

Because it may move on it's own if the engine starts again and it is in gear.

Sudden tire damage can be caused by

Bumps, pot holes, poor roadway surfaces.

What typically can cause a fire in the car (a passenger-compartment fire)?

Careless handling of a match or burning tobacco product.

What is the most dangerous part of changing a flat tire?

Finding a safe place to change it.

What movement can the car make if a back tire blows out?

Fishtail

What are some sources of vehicle fires?

Fuels, oil, grease, ordinary combustibles, electrical equipment, or a combination of things.

What can you do to dry brakes if you drive thru water?

Gently brake with your left foot as you drive thru and leave the water (this creates friction which helps to dry the breaks) then test them to be sure there are ok

What can cause forward vision obstruction?

Headlight failure Hood flies up Windshield gets splashed with dirt

What should you do if your windshield gets splashed with snow, slush, or mud?

Hold the wheel firmly and quickly turn on wipers to clear your vision

When should you have your car serviced if the brake warning light comes on?

Immediately

What is the first thing you should do if your forward vision is blocked?

Immediately check your rear zone to see if it is safe to stop quickly

What steps should you follow if you headlights flicker causing loss of forward vision?

Immediately put your right turn signal on to illuminate the path to the right shoulder of the road.

What happens to the steering if you have engine failure?

It gets harder

What is a 50-50 tire?

It is a spare tire that is meant to be driven no more than 50 mph and no more than 50 miles

Which is more dangerous a left front or right front blow out?

Left front, because it pulls you toward oncoming traffic in the other lane

Should you add water to the radiator in an overheated car?

NO. Steam escapes when you remove the cap and can cause severe burning.

Should you brake if you have total steering failure?

No unless a crash is imminent because it causes the car to skid

What should you do if there is a fire in the car?

Pull off road and put it out with water or a fire extinquisher

What should you do if your engine fails in a risky situation (like on a highway or on a curve)

Set flares or other warning devices to warn other drivers

How do you regain full brake ability if brake fade occurs?

Stop the car and let the brakes cool.

What causes headlights to go out?

The circuits which are created by fuses. The fuse can go bad or the fuse clip can shake loose. Replace or adjust before proceeding.

Where do most vehicle fires start?

The engine

How do you know your engine is overheating?

The engine light comes on

Who should you notify in the event of a vehicle fire?

The fire department

How should you steer if a collision is unavoidable?

To sideswipe object instead of head on

What should you do if you stall on a railroad track and NO train is approaching?

Try to restart the car, if it won't start: Have one person look for trains Put the car in NEUTRAL Have others help you push the car off the tracks

What should you do if a fire starts due to a collision?

Turn ignition off and get all passengers out and away from car.

What steps should you follow if you have total steering failure?

Turn on hazard lights Sound horn Lift your foot off accelerator Try to use a quick on & off with the parking break to stop Try to shift to a lower gear

What emergency signal should you give if you have total steering failure?

Turn on hazard lights and sound horn to warn other drivers.

Def: Brake fade

When brakes overheat and lose effectiveness

When does total power steering system failure occur?

When the engine dies when power steering fluid is too low when a drive belt breaks or slips on the engine

Can driving thru water temporarily reduce your brakes effectiveness?

Yes

Can upholstery fires restart?

Yes even hours later

How does it feel when you have power steering system failure?

You can still steer but it is harder to move the wheel.

What happens when both front and back brake systems fail?

You have no braking power at all called a "total brake failure"

Def: Forward vision

Your driving view is obstructed by something

Def: Compact spare

a temporary tire in case of a flat for short distances only

What causes a blowout

a tire hits and object on roadway, a pot hole, driver failure to maintain proper tire pressure. Older and badly worn tires are more likely to blow out.

Which direction does the car pull if a front tire blows out?

in the direction of the deflated tire

What is a common cause of forward vision loss?

when the windshield gets splashed with snow, slush, or mud