Alabama driving lesson · Adjust to Driving Conditions
Vehicle failures
A 3-minute lesson from the Alabama course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
One rule applies to every emergency: THINK BEFORE YOU ACT. An instinctive move, like slamming on the brakes in a skid, is often the wrong one. These are the handbook's suggestions for when something on the car fails.
Know the rule
Blowout: hold the wheel tightly, steer straight and ease up on the accelerator. Don't brake until the vehicle is under control.
A thumping sound from a bulge in the tire can warn of a blowout. A tire losing air fast pulls the car to the side. Under-inflation is one of the most common causes of blowouts.
Losing a wheel is handled like a blowout: hold tightly, steer straight, ease off the gas, and don't brake until the car has slowed and is under control.
Steering failure: ease up on the accelerator but don't brake or shift gears, which may throw the car out of control. As it slows, you may brake very gently.
Stuck accelerator: hook your toe under the pedal and try to raise it. If that fails, turn off the engine to slow down; power steering and brakes will stop assisting.
Headlight failure: try the parking lights and turn signals. On a dark, deserted road with no lights at all, slow down, stay on the pavement, then move onto the shoulder once slow enough.
Wiper failure in blinding rain or snow: slow down, roll down the side window and put your head out to see, then get off the road. Do the same if your hood flies open.
Your brake pedal suddenly goes to the floor on a downhill street. Pump it to rebuild pressure. If that doesn't work, pull the parking brake gently so the wheels don't lock, and shift into a lower gear to let the engine slow you.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
If your car experiences a tire blowout, what should you do?
Swerve quickly to the shoulder
Hold the wheel tightly, steer straight, and ease off the accelerator
Accelerate to maintain control
Brake hard immediately
Answer: Hold the wheel tightly, steer straight, and ease off the accelerator
During a blowout, hold the wheel tightly, steer straight, and ease off the accelerator; don't brake until under control.