Understanding Vehicle Malfunctions: Safety First

Mechanical malfunctions can be hazardous. However, if the driver remains calm and follows the proper steps, they can reduce their severity.

Brake failure:

• Remain calm! Do not panic.
• Try the brakes again. Pumping them may restore braking power.
• Change the gear to a lower gear; the engine will automatically cause the vehicle to slow down.
• If the driver fails to restore it, try the emergency brake. Most cars have this, and it works separately from the primary brakes.
• Be careful when using emergency brakes. The wheels may lock up and go into a skid.
  
• Signal for help and flash the hazard lights.
• Do not turn off the car until the driver has come to a complete stop.
• Have them professionally checked before continuing.

Prevention:

• Ensure the brakes and vehicles are regularly maintained.
• Test the brakes before every ride by pumping them.
• Be sure to use the parking brake when stopped, not the primary brakes.

Experience a brake failure in an automatic car:.

It can be a scary situation, but there are steps drivers can take to keep themselves safe.

The driver must do the following:

• Stay calm and keep your eyes on the road.
• Downshift to a lower gear to slow the car down.
• Engage the emergency brake slowly, but do not pull it too hard.
• Use your horn and flash your lights to alert other drivers.
• If you cannot slow the vehicle down, try to steer to a safe place off the road and into an open area like a field or a parking lot.
• Contact a tow truck to take your car to a mechanic for brake repairs.

Tire blowout:

Blowouts can be dangerous, especially at high speeds, and may cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

It is essential, too:

• Have a good grip on the steering wheel.
• Let go of the accelerator and gradually brake.
• Do not slam on the brakes; this will cause the driver to lose control.
• Gradually stop on the side of the road after indicating.
• Turn on the hazard lights.

Prevention:

• Ensure the tires have proper pressure per the manufacturer's guidelines before every drive.
• Keep an eye out on the road to avoid obstacles and pot-holes.

If you experience a tire blowout while driving an automatic car:

You need to remain calm and follow these steps:

• Keep your hands firmly on the steering wheel and avoid sudden movements.
• Slowly release the gas pedal and let the car slow down gradually.
• Avoid braking suddenly and steer the vehicle to a safe place off the road.
• Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
• Contact a tow truck to take your car to a mechanic to replace the blown tire.

Steering failure:

• The driver should try to stop as quickly as possible.
• Let go of the accelerator and gradually press on the brake.
• Since the driver has no steering control, they will likely lose control while braking.
• Warn other drivers and turn on the hazard lights.
• Keep the hands away from the middle of the steering wheel; the airbag explosion can break the hands.

Prevention:

• Look out for a shaky, loose, or vibrating steering wheel. These are sure warnings of a failing steering wheel.
• Check for leaking fluids underneath the vehicle before driving. It may be the steering hydraulic fluid.
• Regularly maintain the car professionally.

If you experience a steering failure in an automatic car, take these steps:

• Remain calm and keep your eyes on the road.
• Slow down the vehicle by taking your foot off the gas pedal and using the brakes.
• Try to steer the car to a safe place off the road.
• Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
• Call a tow truck to take your vehicle to a mechanic for repairs.

Hood flies up:

If the hood flies up, it will hamper the visibility significantly.

The driver must:

• Do whatever they can to restore visibility.
• Look outside the window or the gap between the dashboard and the hood.
• Concentrate on regaining control of the vehicle.
• Slowly and gradually, apply the brake and come to a complete stop on the side of the road.
• Turn on the hazard lights.

Note:

• Do not suddenly apply the brakes to make it go back down, as this may result in getting rear-ended.
• Do not try to push it back down with your hands while driving, and the wind will not allow the driver to do this.

Prevention:

• Do not forget to latch the hood if it opens.

If your hood flies up while driving an automatic car, here's what you should do:

• Remain calm and keep your eyes on the road.
• Slow down the vehicle by taking your foot off the gas pedal and using the brakes.
• Try to steer the car to a safe place off the road.
• Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
• Get out of the vehicle and secure the hood if it is safe.
• Call a tow truck to take your car to a mechanic for repairs.

Engine stalls:

If the engine stalls while driving, the driver must:

• Remain calm.
• Shift the car into neutral and maintain control of the vehicle.
• Indicate and slowly stop in a safe spot on the road.
• Turn on the hazard lights.
• Try to restart the car in the correct gear.

Prevention:

• Be careful with the clutch in a manual car. Too little clutch application can cause it to stall.
• Be sure to lubricate the necessary parts in the vehicle.
• Allow the engine to warm up before driving. Be sure to do this in winter conditions.

If your engine stalls while driving an automatic car, take these steps:

• Pull over to the side of the road safely, using your brakes and hazard lights.
• Try to restart the engine, but if it doesn't work, do not keep trying.
• Contact a tow truck to take your car to a mechanic for repairs.

Sticky pedals:

If the pedals are stuck or blocked, the driver must:

• Shift into neutral to ensure the driver does not accidentally accelerate.
• Turn on the hazard lights.
• Attempt to remove the pedal's obstacle or try to unstick it by pushing it from the other side with the foot.
• Try to come to a stop carefully.

Prevention:

• Be sure there are no loose objects that may impede the pedals
• Lubricate the pedals regularly
• Ensure there is no ice build-up near the pedals

If you have a sticky accelerator pedal while driving an automatic car, follow these steps:

• Remain calm and keep your eyes on the road.
• Take your foot off the gas pedal.
• Use your brakes to slow down the car.
• Move the accelerator pedal with your hand or foot to see if it is stuck.
• If you can't unstick the pedal, safely pull over to the side of the road, turn off the engine and call for assistance.