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:
Warning gauges:
• When vehicle is first turned • Engine temperature
on, all lights illuminate
• Oil pressure
• Once engine is running, all
• Charging
should go out
** If light stays on it needs
attention**
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
On Undivided Highways
Recommended placement
of emergency-warning
devices
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
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.
Brake Failure
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
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
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)
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 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
Tire blow out causes accident
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
Loss of Forward Vision
Loss of forward vision may be caused by:
• Headlight failure
• Windshield
• Hood flies open
splashed with dirt
– Look though side window
– Pull over immediately
– 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