1. Unit 9: Sharing the Road and Handling Emergencies
Vehicle Malfunctions
NV Driver Education Curriculum
Unit 9: Sharing the Road and Handling Emergencies
Presentation 3 of 5
TOPICS:
Steering, Brake, and Tire Failure
Engine Failure & Vehicle Fire
Loss of Forward Vision

2. Most vehicle malfunction can be prevented with proper maintenance.
Pay attention to warning lights
Maintain fluid levels
Check tire pressure
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3. 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
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4. 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
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5. Be Visible When Stopped
Set out flares or warning devices
100 and 200 feet increments behind car
On Undivided Highways
On Divided Highways
Images from: AAA How to Drive Textbook 14th edition 2009
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Recommended placement of emergency-warning devices

6. Vehicle Failures
There is always a possibility that your vehicle may malfunction.
The most serious failure affect:
Steering
Braking
Engine
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7. Steering problems should not be solved on the road while driving.
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.
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Drivers can usually identify problems, “loose” or difficult steering before a complete failure occurs.

8. Never adjust or move the key ignition while the vehicle is in motion.
Steering Wheel Locks
Never adjust or move the key ignition while the vehicle is in motion.
If the steering wheel were to lock, slow down the vehicle as quickly as possible by whatever means to avoid losing control.
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9. Most common causes of brake failure are wet and overheated brakes.
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
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10. 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
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11. Driving through water can temporarily reduce brakes’ effectiveness
Wet Brakes
Driving through water can temporarily reduce brakes’ effectiveness
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)
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12. 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
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13. 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
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14. 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).
If not approaching:
Try restarting your vehicle
Shift into Neutral and push vehicle off tracks
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A train traveling at 55 mph may travel more than one mile after applying the emergency brakes.

15. 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
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16. 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
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If fire is in rear of the vehicle, very hazardous, gas tank may explode.

17. 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
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18. 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
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19. What to Do - Tire Blowout
Front tire blow out
Vehicle quickly pulls in direction of blowout
Back 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
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Tire blow out causes accident

20. Changing a Tire
Changing a tire on a roadway is dangerous and can be risky.
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
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21. 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
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22. 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
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