Unit 09, Lesson 02 - Useful Knowledge for Vehicle Maintenance

Motorists have been seriously injured or even killed when attending to vehicle malfunctions such as flat tires, an empty gas tank and other equipment problems on and off of roadways.

 

The majority of these incidents are preventable. In an effort to minimize death or injury, the following simple rules for the road should be followed.

• Please ensure that your vehicle is properly maintained, including the internal engine components.
• Maintain adequate tire pressure and tread.
• Be sure your vehicle has a sufficient amount of fuel.
• If you do experience a vehicle malfunction, please pull off the road as far as possible or exit the freeway completely if possible. A shredded tire or bent rim is better than putting your life in danger.
• If you are off to the side of the road and need help, please stay in your vehicle as much as possible and keep walking on the road to a minimum. This opens the door of opportunity for injury or even death.
• Use your cell phone to call the local dispatch if you need assistance. If you do not have access to a cell phone, please leave the hood of your car up and your hazard lights on. This will advise the traveling public that you need assistance.
• Inform family members or other persons when to expect you at your destination.
• Have an emergency kit in the trunk of your vehicle with blankets, extra food and water, to sustain you and your family.