A 3-minute lesson from the Colorado course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Following your owner's manual maintenance schedule greatly reduces the chance of a breakdown. Still, know what to do if something fails at speed, because the right first move often decides the outcome.
Brake failure:
Take your foot off the accelerator
Pump the brake pedal several times to build pressure
If that fails, apply the parking brake slowly so the rear wheels don't lock; release if you skid
If that fails, shift to lower gears and find a safe place to stop
Get the car off the roadway; don't drive without brakes
Power failure: keep a strong grip. Steering may be hard to turn but still works. Pull off the road. The brakes still work, but you may have to push very hard.
Headlight failure: pull off as soon as possible and try the headlight switch a few times. If that doesn't work, use your emergency flashers, turn signals or fog lights.
Your brake pedal sinks to the floor on a downhill street. Lift off the gas and pump the brake several times. If it still won't stop you, pull the parking brake slowly, downshift and steer to a safe spot off the road.
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 brakes fail, what is the first thing you should try?
Immediately use the parking brake
Turn off the engine right away
Shift into neutral
Pump the brake pedal
Answer: Pump the brake pedal
If your brakes fail, first pump the pedal several times, which can build up enough pressure to stop; use the parking brake if that fails.
If your headlights fail while driving at night, what should you try first?
Immediately turn off the engine
Open your window and flag down help
Flick the headlight switch
Continue driving at normal speed
Answer: Flick the headlight switch
If your headlights fail, first try the switch a few times; if that fails, use your emergency flashers, turn signals, or fog lights and pull off the road.