In an emergency situation, there is no time to think, ask questions or RTFM. You will need to immediately
know what to do. Hopefully you may gain that knowledge by reading these emergency methods that are
listed below.
You're driving down the road when one of your front tires blows out. Do NOT slam on the brakes.
Apply gentle even pressure, as if you were coming to a stop sign, to the brakes. Then slowly pull
off the road on a hard, level surface if at all possible.
As Harry Chapin said in one of his songs "The pedal floored easily, without a sound..." You lost your brakes. If there is time, try to pump the brake pedal to get, at the very least, some brakes back.
If there is no time, apply the parking brake firmly but slowly. You do not want the wheels to lock up.
Another way to slow down is to down shift from DRIVE to SECOND to FIRST. You can also shift it into
reverse. A transmission is a small price to pay to save your life and the lives of your kids in the back seat.
Do not try to shift into PARK; it just won't go unless the vehicle is stopped.
If all else fails, try sideswiping signposts, guard rails or trees and bushes to slow down. Be careful to
not make a direct hit, which will probably cause injury or death.
It's night and you are on one of the many unlit roads that are common in this country. Suddenly the
lights go out and it is pitch dark. Do NOT slam on the brakes. Turn the hazard lights or turn signals on.
Even those small lights will help you see where you're going. At the same time step on the brakes slowly
and pull off the road. Don't panic, there will be plenty of time for that later.
You have lots of time and space in which to come to a safe and complete stop, unless you are on a
hairpin curve on the side of a mountain. Then you should place your head between your knees as far
as it will go and kiss your *** goodbye.
You are driving down Broadway in Manhattan and your steering locks up or goes out. Now, what is it we
don't do? That's right. Do NOT slam on the brakes because the vehicle will probably swerve out of
control. Apply the brakes slowly. Flip on the hazard flashers, blow your horn and wave your left arm
frantically out of the window to warn other drivers. Get off the road as soon as possible.
You need to come to a stop and your accelerator sticks. This is an easy one. Shut off the engine and
shift into NEUTRAL. You'll lose power steering and power brakes, so turning and stopping will be more
difficult. Once you have stopped and are safely on the side of the road, you can try to fix the problem
if you can.Try lifting the gas pedal with your hand or foot. Sometimes a stuck pedal is as simple as a
floor mat that slid forward and is jamming the gas pedal. A lot of times a stuck pedal is caused by
broken springs or binding linkages. If you can't find and repair the problem, no not drive the car.
Call a tow truck and have your vehicle taken to the repair shop.
You're driving down an L.A. freeway and suddenly the hood flies up. Again, what is it we don't do?
We do NOT slam on the brakes. Are you detecting a pattern here? Look down and through the space
between the hood the cowl of stick your head out the window to see where you are going. Apply the
brakes slowly, use your signals and get to the side of the road as far as possible.
Take a look at the hood latch. It's probably broken. If you can't tie it down with a necktie, belt or brassiere, call a tow truck and have it taken to the repair shop.
You're driving down a road in Chappaquiddick and as you cross over a bridge, you've had a little too
much to drink and run over the side of the bridge into the deep water below. What do you do? If your
vehicle is equipped with power windows, open them immediately and hold on to the steering wheel or
whatever is handy as tightly as you can.Once the vehicle is filled with water you can swim out the window.
I have power windows in my cars and I keep a special hammer/seat belt cutter in both of them just in case I can't get the power window to work. When you hit the door glass it will shatter the glass. If you can't get the seat belt to unfasten you can use the cutter to cut the belt.
Don't try to use the hammer on the windshield because the windshield consists of laninated layers of glass and will not shatter.You can purchase this tool at your local auto parts store.
If you have manually operated windows wait until the vehicle is almost filled with water then open the
window and swim out. Don't panic, there is enough air in the vehicle for you to breathe. Don't waste
time trying to open the door; the water pressure will hold them shut tightly. The window is the best
way to escape.
You are driving down the road and you realize your vehicle is on fire. Don't panic, just pull over to the
side of the road immediately and get out of the vehicle. If it is a small fire you might be able to put it
out with dirt, a coat or blanket. Never use water to put out a vehicle fire. If it is an oil or gasoiline fire all
that would do is spread it. If it is a fuel system fire, get as far away as possible, at least 500 or 600 feet
since there is a distinct possibility the vehicle will explode. Then call your insurance agent because he
has said that you are in good hands with him.
You see a car jump the median and headed straight for you. You realize he is going to hit you head on.
If you don't have your seat belts on, lay down across the front seats or on the floor. The idea is to get
as far below the windshield and windows as possible. If you have your seat belts on and have an airbag,
you have to do the hardest thing in the world at that point. RELAX!!
Tensing and tightening up will greatly increase the chance of serious injury. Ever wonder why so many
drunk drivers hurt others and never themselves? It's because the alcohol has relaxed them so much
they are practically limp. Don't worry, the seat belts and air bag will do their job and protect you.
This is something that has happened to most of us at one time or another, a bee flies into the car.
Just slow down and pull off to the side of the road. Don't panic and slam on the brakes. That could cause
the car in back of you to run into you. With a bee in the car the worse thing that could happen is you get
stung. That's a lot better than wrecking a car.
Your windows suddenly fog up. If they are fogged up on the outside, turn on your windshield wipers.
If it's inside, wipe the window with a napkin or your hand. Brake gently and pull off the road. Turn on
the defroster and A/C and wait until the windshield clears and you can safely continue driving. If it
doesn't clear, you probably have a leaking heater core and it's time to call a tow truck.
You are driving home from visiting your parents and all of a sudden you are going sideways. You are
skidding on black ice. Do NOT slam on the brakes! In fact, do not use the brakes at all!! Just take your
foot off the gas pedal and steer into the direction you want the vehicle to go. That, and praying, is just
about all you can do until you regain control of the vehicle.
You are distracted for a moment and your wheels fall into a low or soft shoulder. Don't fight the road,
brake gently and let the vehicle slow down and then turn the car back onto the road. Jerking the
steering wheel can cause the vehicle to skid out of control.
Your engine dies while you are driving. Shift into neutral. Brake gently and coast to the side of the road.
You'll lose power steering and power brakes, so turning and stopping will be more difficult.
And no matter where you are or where you are going, wear your seat belts! That's the best thing to have
on in an emergency.
