Sooner or later every driver has a breakdown or equipment failure. The common thread: don't panic, don't slam on the brakes, keep control, and get safely off the road.
If your wheels drop off the pavement:
- Don't jerk back onto the road right away; you could swerve into oncoming traffic
- Stay on the shoulder and slow down by braking gently
- No drop-off? Gently steer back onto the road
- Big drop-off? Slow to about 10 mph, check traffic both ways, then turn sharply back on
Tire blowout:
- Don't panic, and don't slam on the brakes
- Hold the wheel firmly and keep your lane; it may pull hard left or right
- Let the car slow; don't brake until you're around 30 mph
- Then brake gently and pull off into a safe area
Gas pedal sticks:
- Keep your eyes on the road and shift to neutral
- Try to free the pedal with your foot, or have a passenger try
- Turn off the ignition without locking the steering wheel
- Brake and pull off into a safe area
Brakes fail:
- Don't yank the parking brake on suddenly; you could lose control
- Take your foot off the gas and shift to a lower gear so the engine slows you
- Work toward the right lane, the shoulder or an exit
- Shift to neutral and gradually apply the hand brake
- If that fails too, use a soft shoulder or rub the wheel against a curb
- Never drive a vehicle without brakes; call for help
Know the rule
Stalled on railroad tracks with a train coming: get everyone out and walk quickly alongside the tracks toward the train so debris won't hit you. Move the car only if you're sure there's time.
Handbook p. 124 ↗Know the rule
Losing a wheel (warning signs: thumping or pulling to one side) is handled like a blowout; the car must then be towed.
Handbook p. 125 ↗Know the rule
Overheating (steam from under the hood): pull off the road and turn off the engine. Don't open the radiator cap; wait for the engine to cool.
Handbook p. 125 ↗Smoke from under the hood:
- Drive off the road clear of traffic and stop
- Turn off the engine and all electrical switches
- Get everyone out and away; fumes can be poisonous
- Smother a small fire with an extinguisher, dirt, sand or clothing; never water on gas, oil or electrical fires
- Don't fight a large gasoline or oil fire; get help
Jump-starting a dead battery:
- Remove vent caps from both batteries and cover the wells with a cloth
- Turn off lights, heater or A/C, and radio
- Connect positive (dead) to positive (live)
- Connect negative (live) to negative (dead), or to the engine block or frame
- Cars not touching: start the helper car, then the other; remove cables in reverse order
Know the rule
Never smoke or light a match near a battery; its fumes can explode. Wash battery acid off skin, eyes or the car immediately with water.
Handbook p. 125 ↗If you break down:
- Ease off the gas and work to the side of the road, or an exit on the interstate
- Use reflective triangles or flashers; at night put flares at least 100 feet behind
- Raise the hood and tie a white cloth to the antenna or a window
- Off the road: wait inside with doors locked; don't flag down other cars
- In the roadway: stand away from the car, not behind or beside it
Know the rule
Carbon monoxide from exhaust has no odor. Early symptoms are yawning, dizziness and upset stomach; get fresh air immediately.
Handbook p. 126 ↗Put it into practice
Your front tire blows out at 60 mph and the car pulls hard to the right. Grip the wheel, keep your lane, and let the car coast down. Don't touch the brakes until you're around 30 mph, then brake gently and pull off.