Virginia Department of Education Module Ten Vehicle Systems

Virginia Department of Education Module Ten Vehicle Systems & Handling Heavy Vehicles Topic 1 - Vehicle Warning Systems Topic 2 - Vehicle Malfunctions Topic 3 – Handling Special Vehicles & Pulling a Trailer ©Virginia Department of Education

Topic 1 - Vehicle Warning Systems ©Virginia Department of Education

Dashboard Warning Symbols Temperature light or gauge - warns you when the coolant in the engine is too hot or too low. symbol HOT light gauge - if temperature warning light comes on or the gauge reads too hot, don’t drive the vehicle seek professional help. Caution: never attempt to remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot - the pressure and hot steam may cause severe upper torso and facial burns. Oil Pressure light or gauge - warns you when the oil is not circulating at proper pressure or there is not enough oil. symbol OIL light gauge - when the oil warning light comes on it is recommended that you stop at the nearest service center and have the oil level checked. ©Virginia Department of Education

Dashboard Warning Symbols Alternator/Generator light or gauges When the “ALT” light comes on or the gauge shows “discharge” while the engine is running the vehicle’s electrical system is not functioning properly. symbol ALT - The alternator is not generating enough electricity to charge the battery. - The engine must now use electricity Caution: when the battery is drained stored in the battery. the engine may stall without warning. - Turn off as many electrical devices as possible. (i. e. , the radio, heater/AC, etc. ) light gauge Brake System light This warning light serves two purposes: (1) indicates the parking brake is set; and (2) alerts you that part or all of the braking system is not working properly; or, in some vehicles, the brake fluid is low. ©Virginia Department of Education

Dashboard Warning Symbols ABS light The ABS light comes on when you start the vehicle indicating the ABS system is functioning normally. If the light stays on, or comes on while you are driving, there is a problem which should be checked by a qualified mechanic. Air Bag light When you start the engine, this light should illuminate momentarily indicating the system is activated. If the air bag readiness light stays on or comes on while you are driving, it is a warning that there is a problem. If the air bag system in your vehicle is not working properly it can be dangerous as the air bags: - may NOT inflate in a crash or - may spontaneously inflate while you are driving. ©Virginia Department of Education

Dashboard Warning Symbols Service Engine light The SERVICE ENGINE or CHECK ENGINE light should flash for a few seconds when you start the engine and then go out. If the light stays on, there may be a problem - make an appointment to get it checked. SERVICE ENGINE SOON Door Ajar light DOOR OPEN Low fuel light This warning light will illuminate when starting the engine and then goes out. If this light remains on, one or more of the vehicle doors is not completely latched. If it comes on while driving, someone has opened a door or the door latch was not properly fastened. In either case, pull off the road as soon as possible to secure the door. symbol LOW FUEL light gauge The fuel gauge measures how much fuel is in the vehicle's fuel tank. When the fuel level is low, the fuel warning light will come on and stay on until you add more fuel to the tank. ©Virginia Department of Education

Topic 2 - Vehicle Malfunction Tire Blowout Accelerator Failure Engine Failure Steering Failure Car Catches on Fire ©Virginia Department of Education

Vehicle Failure – Tire Blowout A Tire Blowout occurs when you - hit a curb or sharp object. - have a defective tire. - have an under-inflated tire that builds up heat and explodes or loses its seal to the rim while the tires are rotating. If a front tire blows out, the vehicle will pull sharply in the direction of the blowout. If a rear tire blows out, the vehicle will wobble and pull slightly in the direction of the flat tire. ©Virginia Department of Education

Tire Blowout Grip the wheel firmly. Foot off accelerator. DO NOT BRAKE. Allow vehicle to slow. Check traffic. Turn on flashers. Drive to a protected area. Change tire. ©Virginia Department of Education

Vehicle Malfunction — Accelerator Failure The accelerator will not return to idle when you release it and the engine is racing. Accelerator failure is caused by either a broken spring or the pedal getting stuck in the down position. In either case, you no longer have control over the vehicle’s speed. Follow these steps: ü Shift to Neutral (engine may race but no harm done). ü Search for an escape path. ü Steer smoothly and brake gently. ü Pull off the roadway and park. ü Turn off the vehicle. Caution — DO NOT turn the ignition off while the vehicle is moving--this may lock the steering wheel. ü Have the pedal repaired before driving again. Accelerator Pedal STUCK in down position ©Virginia Department of Education

Engine Failure When the engine stalls, the steering mechanism will still work but will require more effort and: ü Shift to neutral ü Look for escape path ü DO NOT BRAKE HARD ü Pull off roadway ü Restart engine ü If unsuccessful, raise hood and turn on emergency flashers. ©Virginia Department of Education

Engine Overheats Turn off AC. Turn on heater. Pull off roadway if all else fails. Turn engine off. DO NOT OPEN RADIATOR. Seek help. ©Virginia Department of Education

Power Steering Failure ü The vehicle can still be steered, It will require much more effort on the driver’s part. ©Virginia Department of Education

Vehicle Malfunction — Brake Failure Total Brake Failure — Pump the brake pedal to try to build up brake pressure – after 3 or 4 pumps you will know if the brakes are going to hold. . If this does not work ü downshift to a lower gear to use the braking power of the engine to slow the vehicle and look for an escape route. ü activate the hazard lights to warn others. ü Holding release button, apply the parking brake gradually and select a safe path of travel. Power Brake Failure — is the loss of power when the booster unit assisting the brakes no longer functions. ü Apply the brakes--they may function normally for one more application of the pedal and modulate pressure without releasing the brake. ü You will need to press harder on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. ©Virginia Department of Education

Brake Failure Rapidly pump the brakes. Shift to lower gear. Apply parking brake. Find “soft” crash area. ©Virginia Department of Education

Vehicle Failure — Fire Car Catches Fire • Quickly steer the vehicle out of traffic and away from buildings and people. • Get everyone out of the vehicle and have them move at least 100 feet away. • If the engine is on fire, call the fire department and leave the hood closed. • If the passenger compartment is on fire, smother it, use a fire extinguisher, or call the fire department. ü NEVER use water on an engine fire — water will NOT put out an oil or fuel fire - in fact, it may even aid in spreading the fire. ü Use an A-B-C-type fire extinguisher. ©Virginia Department of Education

Topic 4 – Handling Special Vehicles ©Virginia Department of Education

Pulling a Trailer 1. What is the maximum recommended speed for most car-trailer combinations? 2. How much braking time or following distance do you need when towing a trailer? 3. What is a good rule of thumb when going up and down a hill while towing a trailer? ©Virginia Department of Education

Handling Large Vehicles Weigh more than a passenger vehicle Affect the ability to accelerate, turn and slow down: Allow enough space to get up to speed. Slow down in advance of turns. Allow more space between vehicles. ©Virginia Department of Education

Handling Special Vehicles Do not exceed load limits. Practice driving where there is no traffic. Allow a larger gap in traffic before pulling out. Check both side mirrors to be sure the trailer does not intrude into adjoining lane. ©Virginia Department of Education

Practice Turns Before Going on the Road Drivers pulling trailers must “overshoot turns” making them wide enough so you don’t hit the curb or a pedestrian. ©Virginia Department of Education

Handling Special Vehicles Right turns Move farther from the curb or edge of pavement. Delay turning until well beyond curb line. Left turns Proceed farther into the intersection. Check left outside mirror to see that vehicle clears any vehicles at the intersection. ©Virginia Department of Education

Handling Special Vehicles Passing üNeed more time and space to pass. If whipping occurs üDo not steer or apply brakes. üLet off gas and firmly hold wheel. üTrailer will stabilize as vehicle slows down. ©Virginia Department of Education

Handling Special Vehicles Roads that curve right ◦ Allow more distance from edge of pavement. ◦ Keep toward the center line. Roads that curve left ◦ Stay to the right so you do not cross the center line. ©Virginia Department of Education

Handling Special Vehicles Increase following distance one second for each additional 10 feet beyond 15 feet of overall vehicle and trailer length. Vehicle Normal Following Distance Additional Following Distance Total Following Distance Automobile with no trailer 3 to 4 seconds None needed 3 to 4 seconds Automobile with 20 -foot trailer 3 to 4 seconds 2 seconds 5 to 6 seconds 35 -foot motor home 3 to 4 seconds 2 seconds 5 to 6 seconds ©Virginia Department of Education

Backing a Trailer by Turning Steering Wheel in Direction Driver Wants to Turn Back slowly and look directly over your shoulder through the rear window. Keep your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. To move the trailer left, move your hand to the left. To back to the right, move your hand to the right. ©Virginia Department of Education

Backing a Trailer by Turning Steering Wheel in the Opposite Direction To back to the left, turn the steering wheel to the right. Straighten the wheel. Turn the wheel in the opposite direction. Straighten the wheel. Turn the steering wheel to the right. Straighten the wheel and back the towing vehicle and trailer. ©Virginia Department of Education

Errors to Avoid When Backing Turning the steering wheel too far. Holding the steering wheel in a turned position too long. If trailer starts to jackknife, stop and pull ahead to straighten, then begin again. ©Virginia Department of Education

Practice Backing! Backing with a trailer is very difficult! The driver needs to turn the car in the opposite direction you want the trailer to go. For example: Turn the steering wheel to the right if you want the trailer to go to the left. ©Virginia Department of Education

Safe Trailering § Basic equipment needed to tow a trailer safely? § How to attach a vehicle to a trailer? § How to load a trailer properly? ©Virginia Department of Education

Safe Trailering 1. How do you determine the ratings and sizes of the hitch components? 2. Why is it important to make sure the coupler is tight over the hitch ball when connecting a trailer? 3. Where do the safety chains connect to? 4. When loading a trailer where should you place the heaviest objects? ©Virginia Department of Education

Essential Equipment for Towing Additional equipment ◦ Heavy-duty suspension ◦ Increased-capacity cooling system ◦ High-ratio axle ◦ Oversize mirrors Emergency equipment Trailer hitch Hitch ball ©Virginia Department of Education

Basic Equipment for Towing ©Virginia Department of Education

Connecting a Trailer Ball and coupler combinations – sized correctly for tight fit. Safety chains – crossed beneath the coupler and connected to the hitch. Breakaway chains – hooked to hitch or frame member. Electrical connections – set up so lights function properly. ©Virginia Department of Education

Pre Trip Check Attach tongue of trailer to hitch. Snap locking mechanism. Put lock pin in place. Connect electrical wires. Check Brakes and Lights. ©Virginia Department of Education

Loading a Trailer Properly The rear of the vehicle should support 10 – 15% of the trailer load. Arrange 60% of weight in front half of trailer and 40% in rear. Make sure trailer is level. ©Virginia Department of Education

Pulling Heavy Loads The larger the load the longer it will take to stop. Increase following distance and test your stopping power. Use caution. Slow down. ©Virginia Department of Education

Jackknifing a Trailer Common when backing – will damage the hitch and the trailer. Occurs when angle between vehicle and trailer is less than 90 degrees. Back slowly and keep steering wheel movements to a minimum. If you get in trouble, pull forward. ©Virginia Department of Education

Please ©Virginia Department of Education