NJMVC Vehicle Safety Systems 3 â Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a vehicle's crumple zones?
- To make the vehicle stiffer so occupants feel less impact
- To absorb and redirect crash energy away from the passenger compartment (Correct answer)
- To prevent the hood from opening during a collision
- To protect the engine from minor fender-benders
Correct answer: To absorb and redirect crash energy away from the passenger compartment
Crumple zones are designed to deform in a controlled way during a crash, absorbing kinetic energy before it reaches occupants.
Question 2: When is it safe to turn off a vehicle's traction control system (TCS)?
- When driving at highway speeds above 65 mph
- When trying to free a vehicle stuck in deep snow or mud (Correct answer)
- Whenever roads are wet
- TCS should never be turned off
Correct answer: When trying to free a vehicle stuck in deep snow or mud
Temporarily disabling TCS can help when rocking a vehicle free from deep snow or mud, as some wheel spin may be needed to gain traction.
Question 3: What does a solid yellow brake warning light on your dashboard typically indicate?
- The parking brake is engaged
- An ABS fault has been detected (Correct answer)
- Brake fluid is overheating
- The brake pads are new and need break-in time
Correct answer: An ABS fault has been detected
A yellow ABS warning light signals a fault in the anti-lock braking system; normal braking still works but ABS assistance may be lost.
Question 4: How many inches of clearance should remain between the steering wheel and the driver's chest to allow the airbag to deploy safely?
- At least 5 inches
- At least 10 inches (Correct answer)
- At least 15 inches
- At least 20 inches
Correct answer: At least 10 inches
NHTSA recommends keeping at least 10 inches between the center of the steering wheel and the driver's breastbone for safe airbag deployment.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes the function of a vehicle's lane departure warning system?
- Automatically steers the vehicle back into its lane
- Alerts the driver when the vehicle drifts out of its lane without signaling (Correct answer)
- Prevents the driver from changing lanes unsafely
- Adjusts mirror angles when the turn signal is activated
Correct answer: Alerts the driver when the vehicle drifts out of its lane without signaling
Lane departure warning systems use cameras to monitor lane markings and alert the driverâusually with audio or vibrationâif the vehicle drifts unintentionally.
Question 6: What condition could cause your vehicle's ABS to activate on a dry road during normal braking?
- A faulty ABS wheel speed sensor (Correct answer)
- Normal operation on all road surfaces
- Overinflated tires creating excess grip
- Using all-season tires in summer
Correct answer: A faulty ABS wheel speed sensor
A defective ABS wheel speed sensor can send incorrect signals, causing the ABS to activate unnecessarily even on dry pavement.
Question 7: In a vehicle equipped with side-curtain airbags, where do these airbags deploy?
- From the steering wheel toward the side windows
- Along the roofline to cover the side windows and protect occupants' heads (Correct answer)
- From the dashboard on the passenger side only
- From the seat cushions upward along the door panel
Correct answer: Along the roofline to cover the side windows and protect occupants' heads
Side-curtain airbags deploy from the roofline downward to cover side windows, protecting occupants' heads during side-impact and rollover crashes.
NJMVC Vehicle Safety Systems 3
What is the purpose of a vehicle's crumple zones?