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West Virginia driving lesson · Emergencies and Crashes

Pre-drive checks, blowouts, brake failure and overheating

A 3-minute lesson from the West Virginia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Emergencies and Crashes
Checkpoint questions
5
Source pages
80, 81

Many emergencies start with something you could have caught in the driveway. Know what to check before you drive, and the exact first moves when a tire blows, the brakes fail, or the engine overheats.

Know the rule

Brakes: push the pedal; it shouldn't go more than halfway to the floor and should feel firm. Spongy means air in the lines; if it keeps sinking while you count to 10, you may have a leak.

Handbook p. 80 ↗

Know the rule

Check the parking brake by setting it firmly. If the car moves easily in drive or first gear, it needs adjustment.

Handbook p. 80 ↗

Other checks:

  • Under the vehicle: oil, coolant, brake fluid or transmission leaks
  • Under the hood: battery, oil, radiator (only when cool), power steering, brake fluid, belts, hoses
  • No smoking or flames when checking under the hood
  • Exterior lights: once a month
  • Wiper blades: at least once a year; keep washer fluid full
  • Interior warning lights: working properly
Handbook p. 80 ↗

Know the rule

Check tire pressure monthly with a gauge, with tires cold, against the PSI on the sticker inside the driver's door jamb. Add or release air to match.

Handbook p. 80 ↗

Know the rule

Penny test: put Lincoln's head first into the deepest groove. If you can see all of his head, the tires are too worn; replace them.

Handbook p. 80 ↗

Know the rule

Blowout: hold the wheel tightly, steer straight, and ease off the accelerator. Don't brake until the vehicle is under control, then pull completely off the road.

Handbook p. 80 ↗

Know the rule

If you can't get off the road right away after a blowout, keep driving slowly with emergency flashers on. Under-inflated tires are one of the most common causes of blowouts.

Handbook p. 80 ↗

If your brakes fail:

  • Pump the brake pedal quickly
  • Shift to a lower gear and look for a place off the road to slow and stop
  • Use your horn and lights to warn other drivers
  • Use the parking brake, holding the release so you can ease off if the rear wheels lock and skid
Handbook p. 81 ↗

Know the rule

Prevent overheating in slow traffic by shifting into neutral and briefly racing the engine at stops to speed up the fan and water pump.

Handbook p. 81 ↗

Know the rule

If the gauge or light shows overheating, pull off and turn off the engine. Don't remove the radiator cap until the engine has cooled.

Handbook p. 81 ↗

Put it into practice

Your front tire bursts at 50 mph and the car jerks right. Grip the wheel, steer straight, and lift off the gas; don't stomp the brake. Once the car is under control, brake gently and pull all the way 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 you have a blowout, what should you do first?
  1. Brake hard immediately to stop quickly
  2. Hold the wheel tightly, steer straight, and ease off the accelerator
  3. Turn sharply toward the shoulder right away
  4. Shift into neutral and coast to a stop

Answer: Hold the wheel tightly, steer straight, and ease off the accelerator

With a blowout, grip the wheel firmly, steer straight, and ease off the gas; do not brake until under control.

Handbook p. 80 ↗
What is one of the most common causes of tire blowouts?
  1. Over-inflated tires only
  2. Under-inflated tires
  3. New tires with deep tread
  4. Cold weather alone

Answer: Under-inflated tires

Under-inflated tires are one of the most common causes of blowouts.

Handbook p. 80 ↗
If your brakes fail, what should you do first?
  1. Turn off the ignition immediately
  2. Shift into neutral right away
  3. Pump the brake pedal quickly
  4. Shift into park while still moving

Answer: Pump the brake pedal quickly

The first step for brake failure is to pump the pedal quickly to try to build pressure.

Handbook p. 81 ↗
If your brakes fail and you must use the parking brake, what precaution should you take?
  1. Hold the release so you can ease up if the rear wheels lock
  2. Pull it as hard and fast as possible with no easing
  3. Only use it after coming to a complete stop
  4. Avoid using it entirely in an emergency

Answer: Hold the release so you can ease up if the rear wheels lock

Holding the parking brake release lets you ease off if the rear wheels lock and start to skid.

Handbook p. 81 ↗
You can prevent engine overheating in slow traffic by shifting into neutral and briefly racing the engine.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Briefly racing the engine in neutral during slow traffic speeds up the fan and water pump, helping prevent overheating.

Handbook p. 81 ↗
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