The most important rule in any emergency is: don't panic. You usually have a second or two to think before you act, and a calm driver who knows the right move has a much better chance. Learn these responses now, before you need them.
Know the rule
Tire blowout: a thumping sound can be a warning; get off the road and check your tires. If a tire blows, hold the wheel tightly, slowly take your foot off the gas, and don't brake until the vehicle is under control. Handle a skid as on ice or snow.
Handbook p. 65 ↗Know the rule
Loss of a wheel: handle it like a blowout. A thump or noise in the wheel can be a warning. Leave the road, stop, and check the vehicle or have it checked.
Handbook p. 65 ↗Know the rule
Steering failure: slowly take your foot off the gas, turn on emergency lights, and keep off the brake while it's safe. The vehicle will keep going straight; a sudden speed change could send it out of control. As it slows, brake very carefully to stop.
Handbook p. 65 ↗Know the rule
Brake failure: if the pedal suddenly goes to the floor, pump it to build pressure. If that fails, apply the emergency brake gradually and gently. Shifting to a lower gear helps slow the vehicle.
Handbook p. 65 ↗Know the rule
Headlight failure: try emergency lights, parking lights and turn signals; they may still give enough light to leave the road safely. If headlights begin to dim, drive to a service station or pull off and get help.
Handbook p. 65 ↗Know the rule
Stuck gas pedal: hook your shoe under the pedal to try to free it. If you can't, shift to neutral, brake, and get off the road. Don't turn off the ignition: you could lose steering control or lock the wheel.
Handbook p. 65 ↗Know the rule
Running off the pavement: don't suddenly steer or swerve back on. Ease off the gas and brake gently; once you've slowed, check traffic behind you and turn carefully back onto the pavement.
Handbook p. 65 ↗Know the rule
Vehicle approaching head-on in your lane: slow down, pull to the right and sound your horn. Don't turn into the left lane; the other driver may recover and pull back into it.
Handbook p. 65 ↗Know the rule
Stalled on the tracks with a train coming: release your belt, get out, and move far away, running toward the train's direction. Only when sure no train is coming, open a window to listen, try to restart, or shift to neutral and push the car off.
Handbook p. 66 ↗Know the rule
Going into water: the vehicle usually floats for a while. Unbuckle and escape through a window; opening a door lets water rush in and the car could turn over on you.
Handbook p. 66 ↗Know the rule
If it sinks first, move to the back seat, where an air pocket may form as the engine pulls the front down. When it settles, take a breath, escape through a window, and let air out in small breaths as you rise.
Handbook p. 66 ↗Know the rule
Fire: if smoke comes from under the hood, pull off, park and turn off the ignition. Get away from the car and call the fire department; fighting it yourself is dangerous.
Handbook p. 66 ↗Know the rule
Blocked vision: if the hood flies up or wipers fail, open the side window to see, turn on emergency lights, and carefully pull off the road and park.
Handbook p. 66 ↗Put it into practice
On the highway your hood suddenly flies up and covers the windshield. Don't slam the brakes. Open your side window to see, turn on your emergency flashers, and carefully steer onto the shoulder and stop.