HHP 241 - Lecture 5

Low-beam headlights

300-500 feet

• following another vehicle, meeting oncoming traffic

High-beam headlights

500-1800 feet

• used unless oncoming vehicle

Overdriving headlights

Vehicle will not stop in the area illuminated by head lights, if you passed an object in 6 seconds you are doing this

Headlights (Virginia law)

Sunset to sunrise

Glare (front)

Light front oncoming vehicle through the windshield

Glare (rear)

Light from vehicle behind you in your mirrors

Fog (headlights)

Turn on low beam

Fog (where to pull over)

Stop beyond the end of guardrail

• as far right of road as possible

• Turn of lights

Snow (window washer fluid)

Use full concentrate

Snow adjustments

1) reduce speed

2) make gentle adjustments

Flash flooding fatalities

50%

Depth of water will carry car

2 feet

Hydroplaning

Tires of vehicle use grip with the road

How to stop vehicle that is hydroplaning?

Grip wheel firmly, let off gas, do not apply brakes

Hot weather (tires)

Under inflated tires, heat can cause build up and blow out

What to watch after long dry period?

Wet leaves

Controlling consequences

Drive off don’t skid, hit something soft not something hard

Actions of driver to cause a skid

1) accelerate too fast

2) brake too hard

3) steering too much or too quickly

4) entering a curve with too much speed

Oversteering

Back wheels spin, fishtail

Under steering

Car doesn’t turn as tightly as you want

Correcting a skid?

Look and steer toward intended path (into the skid), light and progressive acceleration

Correcting front tire traction loss

Activate anti brake system, steer toward path of travel

Cause of traction loss

1) uneven brake adjustment

2) uneven tire tread

3) different tire pressure on sides

Crash avoidance and evasive maneuvers

1) turn wheel no more than 180 degrees

2) counter steer immediately

3) turn wheel back to original straight position

Run off road fatalities

Approx 50%

Off road recovery

1) ease off accelerator

2) do Not brake

3) get both wheels off the pavement

4) steer parallel to roadway

5) ease back onto the roadway one wheel at a time

Inspection

Annually, $20, placed on drivers side windshield

Who initiates a recall?

Government or manufacturer

Who pays for repairs

The manufacturer

VIN

Vehicle identification number

Required service

Minimum service the vehicle must have performed to keep manufacturer warranty valid

Recommended servic

Dealer suggested maintenance, checklists, wanting to trade in or sell vehicle

Where can you find what grade of oil to use?

Owners manual

Open radiator cap?

Never open when engine is hot

Purpose of battery?

Deliver voltage to started, source, starts vehicle

purpose of alternator

A generator of electric power in your car

Purpose of belts?

Run the electrical system

Signs of brake problems?

1) brake vibrating

2) car pulls

Check engine light

Repair the condition immediately