Chapter 8 · Lesson 7 of 11
Vehicle equipment failures
4 min read · Accidents and Emergency Situations
Explanation
For a tire blowout, hold the steering wheel firmly, keep the car straight, ease off the gas and slow gradually. Do not brake until you have pulled off the road and the car is almost stopped.
If conventional disc or drum brakes fail, shift to a lower gear if possible and pump the brake pedal fast and hard several times. You may use the parking brake carefully, holding its release so you can let it go if the rear wheels lock. Look for a place off the roadway, stop, call for help and do not drive farther.
Never turn a moving vehicle’s ignition to lock. With a steering-wheel interlock, the steering can lock as you turn the wheel and cause loss of control.
Example
A front tire blows. You grip the wheel, keep straight and lift off the gas. After the vehicle slows and you pull off the road, you apply the brakes near a stop.
Common mistake
Braking hard at the instant of a blowout. Keep the vehicle straight and slow gradually first.
What the manual says
Take your foot off the gas pedal, but do not apply the brakes.
never turn the ignition to the lock position while the vehicle is in motion.
Sources
- Manual p. 60
“In a situation with a flat tire or blowout, you should hold the steering wheel firmly and keep the car going straight. Slow down gradually. Take your foot off the gas pedal, but do not apply the brakes.”
- Manual p. 60
“Let the car slow down, pull off the road and then apply the brakes when the car is almost stopped.”
- Manual p. 60
“If your vehicle's conventional disc or drum brakes suddenly fail, you should shift to a lower gear, if possible, and pump the brake pedal fast and hard several times.”
- Manual p. 60
“You may try to use the parking brake but hold the brake release so it can be released to avoid skidding if the rear wheels lock.”
- Manual p. 60
“never turn the ignition to the lock position while the vehicle is in motion.”
Check your understanding
Question 1 of 3