RTA Vehicle Emergencies and Breakdowns 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You are driving at night when all of your vehicle's lights suddenly fail. What should you do?
- Continue driving slowly with hazard lights only
- Activate hazard lights, pull off the road, and call for assistance (Correct answer)
- Flash your high beams repeatedly to warn other drivers
- Drive on the shoulder using reflective lane markers as guides
Correct answer: Activate hazard lights, pull off the road, and call for assistance
Driving without headlights at night is extremely dangerous; activating hazards and pulling off the road is the safest response.
Question 2: When a vehicle behind you rear-ends your car, the safest position for your head to be in is:
- Leaning forward away from the headrest
- Pressed firmly against the headrest (Correct answer)
- Turned to the side away from impact
- Tilted forward toward the steering wheel
Correct answer: Pressed firmly against the headrest
The headrest is designed to prevent whiplash by limiting rearward head movement during a rear impact.
Question 3: Your vehicle loses electrical power completely while driving on an interstate. What remains functional?
- Nothing; the vehicle becomes uncontrollable
- Steering and brakes, but with reduced assist (Correct answer)
- Automatic transmission only
- Engine and transmission only
Correct answer: Steering and brakes, but with reduced assist
Mechanical steering and brake systems retain some function without electrical power, though power assist is lost.
Question 4: If a tire blows out on the rear of your vehicle, you are likely to experience:
- The vehicle pulling sharply to one side
- Fishtailing or swaying of the rear end (Correct answer)
- Loss of steering control only
- Sudden stopping of the vehicle
Correct answer: Fishtailing or swaying of the rear end
A rear tire blowout typically causes the back of the vehicle to sway or fishtail, requiring smooth steering correction.
Question 5: Which type of fire extinguisher is appropriate for use on a vehicle engine fire?
- Water-based extinguisher
- Class A dry chemical extinguisher
- ABC dry chemical extinguisher (Correct answer)
- CO2 extinguisher only
Correct answer: ABC dry chemical extinguisher
An ABC-rated dry chemical extinguisher handles ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, and electrical fires, all of which can occur in vehicle fires.
Question 6: When you experience a blowout and your vehicle begins to pull, the correct steering response is to:
- Turn sharply in the opposite direction of the pull
- Grip the wheel firmly and steer straight ahead (Correct answer)
- Let go of the wheel briefly to allow self-correction
- Turn in the direction of the pull to compensate
Correct answer: Grip the wheel firmly and steer straight ahead
Gripping the wheel firmly and steering straight ahead allows you to maintain control without overcorrecting.
Question 7: A driver notices smoke coming from the brakes after a long downhill descent. This is most likely caused by:
- A brake fluid leak igniting
- Brake pads overheating from excessive use (Correct answer)
- Engine oil dripping onto hot exhaust
- Transmission fluid burning off
Correct answer: Brake pads overheating from excessive use
Continuous braking on long descents overheats brake pads and rotors, producing smoke and greatly reducing braking effectiveness.
RTA Vehicle Emergencies and Breakdowns 3
You are driving at night when all of your vehicle's lights suddenly fail.
What should you do?