Driver's Manual: Part 12, Driving Emergencies

A tire change places you and the vehicle in danger. How should you do it?

1. Set the parking brake TIGHT. Block the wheel diagonally opposite the flat. Take out the jack, the lug wrench and the spare tire. 2. Pry off the wheel cover with the chisel end of the lug wrench. Loosen each lug nut (but do not remove). 3. Place the jack on firm ground making sure it is perfectly straight up and down. See the owner's manual or the instruction sheet (sometimes found on the under side of the trunk lid) for directions on using the jack. Pump the jack until the wheel is off the ground 2-3 inches. 4. Remove the lug nuts, place them in the wheel cover for safe keeping. 5. Lift the wheel off, replace it with the spare wheel and screw the lug nuts on until snug. 6. Lower the vehicle until the tire just touches the ground, tighten the nuts and then finish jacking the vehicle down. Replace the wheel cover (hubcap).

If you have flares or reflectors, place them _______ in front and _______ to the rear of the vehicle to warn approaching drivers.

200 feet; 200 feet

A vehicle with windows and doors closed may float for _______. The best escape route is through _______ because water pressure makes it hard to open a door. If your vehicle has power windows _______.

3-10 minutes; a window; open them quickly because the water will cause a short circuit in the electrical system

How to avoid skids:

Reduce your speed as you near danger spots and do not increase your speed, do not brake or change direction quickly.

Not having enough air in the tire is a common cause of _______. Check the pressure in the tires regularly. Check the pressure when the tires are _______. When traveling long distances at high speeds or with heavy loads, increase the air pressure in each tire by _______. Also, check the tires for cuts and bulges. When driving, a bulge in a tire will cause a "thumping" sound or the car may pull sideways because the tire is _______.

blowouts; cool; 4 pounds; quickly losing air

Loss of a wheel: To regain control, use the same methods you would use _______.

for a blowout

A short circuit in the electrical system is the general cause of a fire. If you have a fire, _______.

pull off the road quickly, shut off the ignition to cut electrical power and get all passengers away from the vehicle (DO NOT OPEN THE HOOD)

If the wipers suddenly fail in blinding rain or snow, _______.

reduce your speed, roll down the side window and stick your head out so that you can see ahead of you. Then move the vehicle off the highway

You will often be warned of brake failure when the brake pedal feels "spongy" and slowly sinks to the floor board as you push them. If the brakes suddenly give out you should:

• "Pump" the brake pedal. This will often build up enough pressure to stop the vehicle. If this does not work: • Use the hand brake in an on-off pumping motion. • Shift to a low gear. • If you are on a steep hill and all else fails, look for something to sideswipe such as bushes, snowbank, guardrail, etc. • Use your horn and lights to warn other drivers and pedestrians that you are out of control. • As an extreme method, if you turn off the engine and leave the vehicle in gear, the engine will slow you down. BE VERY CAREFUL: If the vehicle ignition switch locks the steering wheel when you turn off the key, you will not be able to steer, and if you have power steering, the steering will become very hard. • Look for a place to coast to a stop. • Once you have safely stopped the vehicle, make sure that it is well off the road. Then call for help. Do not try to drive the vehicle to a garage.

The brakes may fail when you go through a large puddle of water. To be sure they are working properly:

• Always test the brakes after driving through deep water when safe to do so. The brakes may pull the vehicle to one side or they may not work at all. • "Dry" the brakes by driving slowly and pressing on the brake pedal lightly for a short distance.

Serious crashes can result if you run off the pavement. If this happens, do not try to turn sharply back onto the road and risk rolling over or going into a dangerous skid. Instead:

• Do not panic! Grip the steering wheel tightly. • Ease up on the gas pedal. • Do not step on the brake pedal suddenly and hard. Step on the brake pedal gently. • After you have slowed, you can steer back onto the road. Before doing so, check the road for traffic ahead and behind, then turn the wheels to get back onto the road.

To recover from a skid with a front wheel drive vehicle you should:

• Gently steer in your correct direction of travel. • Slowly apply power to your vehicle. • Do not brake.

If the power steering fails because the engine has stopped, you should:

• Grip the steering wheel firmly as steering will be difficult. • Stop the vehicle. You may have to push the brakes hard if the vehicle has power brakes. • Restart the engine.

If you have a sudden tire blowout, you will hear a loud "thump, thump, thump." You should:

• Hold the steering wheel tightly and keep the vehicle going straight. • Take your foot off the gas pedal and allow the vehicle to slow gradually. • Brake gently ONLY when your speed is slow enough to keep control of the vehicle. • Use the turn signals and pull well off the road.

In the event the vehicle stalls on railroad tracks:

• If the vehicle has a standard transmission, you can probably move it off the tracks by running the starter while the transmission is in first or second gear. • If the vehicle has an automatic transmission, try to push the vehicle off the tracks. • If you cannot get the vehicle off the tracks and a train is coming, abandon the vehicle. Quickly walk alongside the tracks in the direction of the approaching train. This way you will not be struck by pieces of the vehicle when it is struck by the train.

If the hood suddenly flies up you should:

• Immediately reduce your speed and position yourself so as to be able to look through the open area at dashboard level. In the event your vision is totally blocked: • Put your head out the window and look around the hood. Use the center line or lane markings as a guide. • Brake and pull off the road when safe to do so.

If the gas pedal becomes stuck:

• Keep your eyes on the road. • Brake firmly to counteract the effects of acceleration. • Quickly shift into neutral. • When safe to do so, pull the vehicle off the road. • Bring the vehicle to a stop and turn off the engine.

Steam coming from under the hood means that the cooling system has overheated. You should:

• Pull to the side of the road and turn the engine off immediately. • Raise the hood but DO NOT open the radiator cap. • Send for help.

If you must stop along any road in an emergency you should:

• Pull well off the road or onto the shoulder. Never park on a hill or curve, or any other place unless others can see the vehicle from at least 200 feet in each direction. • Turn on the parking lights or emergency flashers. • Raise the hood and tie a white cloth (red cloth in a snowstorm) to the driver's door handle or antenna. This tells others drivers that you need help. • If possible stay with the vehicle until help arrives. If the vehicle is in a hazardous location, get all passengers out of the vehicle and well away from traffic. If you must walk for help, walk on the left edge of the road facing oncoming traffic. Use a flashlight when walking for help at night.

A vehicle suddenly approaches from the opposite direction in your lane and a collision is likely to happen. What do you do? You have several things you can do:

• STOP QUICKLY - If you can slow your speed before the crash, this will lessen the impact. If your vehicle is equipped with ABS, push hard on the brake pedal and steer the vehicle in a safe direction. If your vehicle is not equipped with ABS, push the brake pedal hard and as the vehicle begins to skid quickly, let up on the brake. Then quickly push it down again. Continue this quick pumping action until you have stopped the vehicle. By pumping the brakes, you can stop quickly and still steer the vehicle. • TURN QUICKLY - Head for the shoulder on the RIGHT-HAND SIDE of the road and lean on the horn. The other driver might suddenly realize the mistake and steer back onto the left side of the road. NEVER SWERVE TO THE LEFT to avoid a crash. The other vehicle might swing back into the path of your vehicle or you might hit other oncoming traffic. Do everything to avoid a crash with another vehicle. Being in a ditch is better than being in a grave. • SIDESWIPE - If you must hit something, try to hit something that will reduce the force of the impact such as a bush or snowbank. As a rule, try to hit with a glancing blow rather than head-on. When you sideswipe an object there is a good chance that you can reduce the impact and the chance of injury. • SPEED UP QUICKLY - Sometimes you can speed up quickly to avoid a collision. This may happen when another vehicle is about to hit you from the side or rear.

To recover from a skid with a rear wheel drive vehicle you should:

• Stay off the brake pedal. If you apply the brakes, the wheels will lock and will make the skid worse. • Steer in the direction that the rear of the vehicle is sliding. This will allow the vehicle to go straight instead of sideways. • Be ready to steer in the opposite direction if your vehicle starts swerving in the other direction. • Straighten the front wheels once you get out of the skid.

Should the headlights suddenly go out:

• Try the turn signals or emergency flashers. This may give you enough light to guide you as you pull off the road. • Try the dimmer switch. That will often put the headlights on again. • Pull off the road as quickly as possible and leave the emergency flashers on.