Drive Right Chapter 13

Vehicle Maintenance

• Proper Maintenance

  • Prevents most vehicle malfunctions.

  • Address warning signs promptly to prevent emergencies.

  • Sudden malfunctions can create hazardous situations.

Tire Failure

• Causes of Tire Wear

  • Unfavorable driving conditions.

  • Poor maintenance practices.

  • Abrupt braking and sharp steering.

  • Road conditions (bumps, potholes).

  • Unbalanced wheels and poor alignment.

  • Underinflation and overinflation.

• Tire Blowout

  • Loss of air pressure occurs suddenly, typically due to:

    • Hitting an object or pothole.

    • Lack of proper tire pressure maintenance.

    • Old or worn tires are more susceptible.

  • Handling a Blowout:

    • Front Tire: Vehicle pulls towards the deflated tire; steer against the pull.

    • Rear Tire: Vehicle may fishtail; grip steering, slow down, and avoid braking hard.

Objectives

• Actions to take if a tire fails.

• Steps to follow if brakes fail.

• What to do in case of engine or steering failure.

• Protocol for loss of forward vision and vehicle fires.

Vocabulary

• Blowout

• Compact spare

• Brake fade

• Forward vision

Changing a Tire

• Know how to change a tire even if roadside assistance is available.

• Always reference the owner’s manual for tire-changing instructions.

• Find a safe location to change a tire, if possible.

• Temporary or compact spare: Follow the manufacturer’s usage guidelines.

Brakes

• Brake Systems

  • Two systems: one for front wheels and one for rear wheels.

  • Total brake failure is rare but possible.

• Handling Total Brake Failure:

  1. Pump the brake pedal to restore fluid pressure.

  2. Downshift to use engine braking.

  3. Use parking brake carefully to slow down.

  4. Aim for a safe area to steer towards.

  5. If necessary, rub wheels against a curb to reduce speed.

• Brake Fade

  • Occurs after continued hard braking; cool brakes by stopping.

Engine Failure

• Engine can stop suddenly without warning.

• Response Steps:

  1. Shift to neutral and steer out of traffic.

  2. Turn on hazard flashers.

  3. Do not brake; attempt to restart while moving.

  4. If stalled, safely position the vehicle off the roadway.

Stalling on Railroad Tracks

• Immediately abandon the vehicle if a train is approaching.

• If no train is present, attempt to restart the vehicle, evacuate passengers, and look for trains before moving the vehicle off the tracks.

Overheated Engine

• Causes of overheating include hot weather, stop-and-go traffic, and uphill drives with air conditioning on.

• Steps to Address Overheating:

  1. Turn off AC and turn on heater.

  2. Shift to neutral during stops to relieve engine stress.

  3. Move to a safe area and turn off the engine.

Total Steering Failure

• Communication is crucial; use hazard lights and horn.

• Stop calmly, avoid braking unless necessary.

  • Power steering issues may require more effort but can still function.

Loss of Forward Vision

• Corrections needed immediately if vision is obstructed.

• Check to see if safe to stop; turn on wipers if windshield is obstructed.

• Utilize hazard lights for safety in night driving when headlights fail.

Vehicle Fires

• Vehicle fires can be triggered by fuel, oil, electrical issues, or collisions.

• Response to Vehicle Fire:

  1. Steer to a safe area away from buildings.

  2. Turn off ignition and evacuate passengers at least 100 feet away.

  3. Never attempt to open the hood if flames are present.

Passenger-compartment fires and Collision-related fires

• If a fire occurs due to matches or tobacco, pull off the roadway and extinguish the fire completely as upholstery fires can reignite.

Summary of Key Steps for Various Malfunctions

1. Tire Failure: Know how to inspect and change a tire.

2. Brake Failure: Understand the backup measures in place like engine braking and careful parking brake use.

3. Engine Failure: Focus on safety by signaling and moving off roadway without panic.

4. Overheating: Acknowledge cooling methods and avoid adding water to a hot radiator.