Roadwise States Indiana Driving lessons Carbon monoxide poisoning Indiana driving lesson · Accidents & Emergencies
Carbon monoxide poisoning A 2-minute lesson from the Indiana course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 2 minutes
Course unit Accidents & Emergencies
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 67 Carbon monoxide gas from your engine can harm or kill you and your passengers, and your senses can't warn you it's there.
Carbon monoxide A poisonous gas from a vehicle engine. You cannot see, smell, or taste it.
Handbook p. 67 ↗ Carbon monoxide is most likely to leak into a vehicle when: The heater is running The exhaust system is not working properly You're in heavy traffic, breathing exhaust fumes from other vehicles Handbook p. 67 ↗ Know the rule
A faulty exhaust system can leak poisonous fumes into the vehicle's back seat.
Handbook p. 67 ↗ Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include: Drowsiness or dizziness A bluish tinge to your skin or lips A headache Increased sensitivity to light Handbook p. 67 ↗ How to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning: Have your exhaust system checked regularly Be alert for any unusual roar from under the car Never let the engine run in a closed garage In congested traffic, close the fresh-air vent On highways in cold weather, open the fresh-air vent Handbook p. 67 ↗ Know the rule
The fresh-air vent rule depends on where you are: close it in congested traffic, and open it on highways in cold weather.
Handbook p. 67 ↗ Put it into practice
You're in stop-and-go traffic on a cold day with the heater running, and you start to feel dizzy and get a headache. Those can be carbon monoxide symptoms. Close the fresh-air vent while in congested traffic, and have your exhaust system checked.
A useful reminder Fresh-air vent: close it in congested traffic, open it on a cold highway.
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.
When is carbon monoxide most likely to leak into a vehicle? When the air conditioning is on When the heater runs or the exhaust system is faulty When driving on an open highway When the windows are rolled down Answer: When the heater runs or the exhaust system is faulty
Carbon monoxide is most likely to leak into a vehicle when the heater is running or the exhaust system is faulty.
Handbook p. 67 ↗ Can you smell carbon monoxide gas? Yes, it has a strong rotten-egg smell Yes, it smells like ordinary exhaust fumes No, you cannot see, smell, or taste it Only if all the windows are closed Answer: No, you cannot see, smell, or taste it
You cannot see, smell, or taste carbon monoxide.
Handbook p. 67 ↗ What is a listed symptom of carbon monoxide poisoning? Sneezing and itchy eyes A dry, tickling cough Muscle cramps in the legs A bluish tinge to your skin or lips Answer: A bluish tinge to your skin or lips
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include a bluish tinge to your skin or lips, along with drowsiness and headache.
Handbook p. 67 ↗ What should you never do with your vehicle's engine to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning? Let it run in a closed garage Let it idle in an open driveway briefly Turn it off at a stoplight Run it with the windows down Answer: Let it run in a closed garage
Never let your vehicle's engine run in a closed garage.
Handbook p. 67 ↗ What should you do with the fresh-air vent when driving in congested traffic to avoid carbon monoxide exposure? Open it fully Close it Open it halfway Leave it as it is Answer: Close it
In congested traffic, close the fresh-air vent to avoid drawing in exhaust fumes from other vehicles.
Handbook p. 67 ↗ What should you do with the fresh-air vent on highways in cold weather to avoid carbon monoxide? Open the fresh-air vent Close the fresh-air vent completely Switch the vent to full recirculation Turn off the ventilation system entirely Answer: Open the fresh-air vent
On highways in cold weather, open the fresh-air vent; in congested traffic, close it instead.
Handbook p. 67 ↗ Previous lesson Traffic stops by law enforcement More in Accidents & Emergencies About the source Roadwise’s Indiana course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 67. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
For current application requirements, fees, appointments, and the format that applies to your age or license type, check Indiana’s BMV. Roadwise provides study material and does not issue permits or licenses.