Blowouts, brake failures and stuck pedals happen fast. Your owner's manual is the best source for your car, but these steps apply to most situations — and in every emergency, stay calm and use common sense.
Brakes fail — try pumping the pedal; if they still don't respond:
- Use the emergency parking brake
- Shift to a lower gear if possible
- NEVER place the vehicle into "park"
Know the rule
To prevent brake wear, use a lower gear when driving downhill for long stretches.
Handbook p. 58 ↗Know the rule
Wet brakes: test your brakes after driving through deep water — they may pull to one side or not hold. Dry them in low gear by driving slowly and braking lightly; test about every 200 feet until they work normally.
Handbook p. 58 ↗Gas pedal sticks — press it hard and release; if still stuck:
- Shift to neutral
- Apply the brakes
- Pull off the highway to the right, if possible, and stop
- NEVER place the vehicle into "park"
Know the rule
Wipers fail in heavy rain or snow: slow down, lower the window and put your head out to see. Pull off to the right and stop as soon as possible.
Handbook p. 58 ↗Know the rule
Headlights fail: slow down and pull off as soon as you can; your parking lights, turn signals or flashers can guide you to the roadside.
Handbook p. 58 ↗Know the rule
Fire: if smoke comes from under the hood, pull off and turn off the ignition immediately; open the hood with extreme caution. Smother the fire with an extinguisher, sand or dirt — NOT water, which spreads burning gasoline. Out of control? Move at least 100 feet away.
Handbook p. 58 ↗Steering fails:
- Ease up on the accelerator
- If the car holds the lane, slow down, then brake gently; use four-way flashers
- Heading off the road or toward a vehicle or pedestrian? Brake quickly with maximum pressure
Know the rule
Vehicle coming at you in your lane: slow down, sound your horn, flash your headlights and pull as far right as you safely can. Don't swerve into its lane — the driver may realize the mistake and swerve back.
Handbook p. 58 ↗Running off the pavement (causes a high number of Nevada fatalities):
- Stay calm; take your foot off the accelerator and brake only carefully
- Grip the steering wheel firmly
- Don't swerve back — stay on the shoulder until fully under control, then ease back on
Blowout:
- Grip the steering wheel firmly
- Ease up on the gas to slow down — do not hit the brakes
- Look for a safe place and signal that you're moving off the highway
- Once under control and slowed, brake gently to stop
- Get safely off the road and use parking lights or flashers
Know the rule
Disabled vehicle: get all four wheels off the roadway if possible, warn others with parking lights, flashers or flares, and have it towed as soon as possible.
Handbook p. 59 ↗Put it into practice
Your front tire blows out at 65 mph on I-80. Hold the wheel firmly and lift off the gas — don't brake. When the car is steady and slower, signal, brake gently, and pull fully onto the shoulder with flashers on.