Vehicle Malfunctions

NV Driver Education Curriculum

Unit 9: Sharing the Road and Handling Emergencies

Presentation 3 of 5

Proper Maintenance

Most vehicle malfunction can be prevented with proper maintenance.

• Pay attention to warning lights• Maintain fluid levels• Check tire pressure

Warning Lights & Gauges

Warning alert lights:• When vehicle is first turned

on, all lights illuminate• Once engine is running, all

should go out

** If light stays on it needs attention**

Warning gauges:• Engine temperature• Oil pressure• Charging

What to Do if Vehicle Fails

Be prepared for emergencies• Steer safely off the road• Be visible when stopped• Raise hood, tie something white

to antenna or hang out window

• Call for help• Remain buckled in the car• Lock vehicle doors

Be Visible When Stopped

Set out flares or warning devices– 100 and 200 feet increments behind car

Recommended placement of emergency-warning

devices

On Undivided Highways On Divided Highways

Vehicle Failures

There is always a possibility that your vehicle may malfunction.

The most serious failure affect:• Steering• Braking• Engine

Steering Failure

Steering problems should not be solved on the road while driving.

• Slow down immediately • Use flashers to

warn others

If power steering fails, you will have to work extremely hard to steer the vehicle, but full control will not be lost.

Drivers can usually identify problems, “loose” or difficult steering before

a complete failure occurs.

Steering Wheel Locks

If the steering wheel were to lock, slow down the vehicle as quickly as possible by whatever means to avoid losing control.

Never adjust or move the key ignition while the vehicle is in motion.

Brake Failure

Rear and front wheels each have a brake system.

If total brake failure:• Pump the foot brake pedal

(with power brakes not effective)

• Downshift to lower gear• Apply parking brake• Search for safe place to steer

Most common causes of brake failure are wet and overheated brakes.

Brake Fade

Applying brakes hard over a long period (i.e. driving down hills) overheats brakes, causing them to fade.

• Temporary brake failure• Less effective• Stop vehicle to allow

brakes to cool• Use lower gears to help

prevent brake fade

Wet Brakes

• Drive slowly in puddles• Gently apply brakes as you

drive though water– Friction will generate heat

• Test brakes as leave water• Riding the brake will dry

brakes (left foot lightly on brake, as right foot slowly accelerates)

Driving through water can temporarily reduce brakes’ effectiveness

Stuck Accelerator

If accelerator is stuck: • Attempt to jar it free

– Use toe to lift pedal– Step on pedal repeatedly

• Apply brakes• Shift into Neutral (to remove

power from the wheels)

• Turn the off vehicle (last resort) will lose power steering

Engine Failure

Usually little warning when engine sputters or stops

If engine stops suddenly:• Shift into Neutral

• Move out of traffic• Turn on flashers• Do not brake• Try to re-start the engine

Stalled on Railroad Tracks

If a train is approaching:• Abandon vehicle

Immediately• Run at a 45-degree angle

away from the tracks, towards the oncoming train (to avoid being hit by debris when the train collides with your vehicle).

A train traveling at 55 mph may travel more than one mile after

applying the emergency brakes.

If not approaching:• Try restarting your vehicle • Shift into Neutral and push

vehicle off tracks

Overheated Engine

When the temperature gauge indicates an overheated vehicle:

• Use heater to draw heat away from engine if you cannot pull off the road immediately.

• Turn off air conditioning• During stops, shift to Neutral

and press accelerator gently• Pullover, turn off engine • Open the hood of the car

to cool engine

Engine Fires

Most engine fires are caused by either an electrical or fuel problem.

Handle quickly and properly:• Get your car off the road • Turn off the engine • Move away from the vehicle

– At least 100 feet away• Do not open hood If fire is in rear of the vehicle,

very hazardous, gas tank may explode.

Tire Wear

Tires wear quicker with poor maintenance and road conditions:

• Under or over inflated• Unbalanced wheels • Poor alignment• Abrupt braking• Sharp steering• Bumps and potholes

Tire Blowout

A blowout occurs when a tire suddenly loses air pressure– Tire hits object in road or a pothole– Driver fails to maintain proper tire pressure

What to Do - Tire Blowout

Front tire blow out• Vehicle quickly pulls in

direction of blowoutBack tire blow out• Rear end will slide

around or “fishtail”

What to do:• Hold steering wheel firmly• Ease off accelerator• Do not brake• Look and steer to safety,

off the road

Tire blow out causes accident

Changing a Tire

• Find a safe place, completely off the road

• Call for help Professionals know best

• If you change the tire, use proper tools and safety precautions

Changing a tire on a roadway is dangerous and can be risky.

Loss of Forward Vision

Loss of forward vision may be caused by: • Headlight failure• Hood flies open

– Look though side window– Pull over immediately

• Windshield splashed with dirt– Turn on wipers

Headlights Failure

If your headlights flicker or fail take immediate action

• Turning on the parking lights, emergency lights, or hazards

• Use turn right turn signal and move to the shoulder of the road

• Check fuses or fuse clips