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Question

Difficulty: MediumTire Failure and Blowouts

A truck driver cruising on a multi-lane expressway hears a loud popping noise followed by vehicle vibration and slight fishtailing from the drive axle. Which action should the driver take to safely regain stability and bring the vehicle to a stop?

  1. A
    Depress the brake pedal hard immediately to stop the vehicle on the road as fast as possible before the tire shreds completely.
  2. Hold the steering wheel tightly with both hands, stay off the brake pedal, allow the vehicle to decelerate on its own, and steer gently onto the shoulder once speed is reduced.Answer
  3. C
    Make rapid steering inputs back and forth across the lane to counteract the side-to-side fishtailing motion.
  4. D
    Apply the engine retarder immediately at maximum power to slow the drive axle without using the service brakes.

Answer

Hold the steering wheel tightly with both hands, stay off the brake pedal, allow the vehicle to decelerate on its own, and steer gently onto the shoulder once speed is reduced.
During a tire failure or blowout, the driver's primary priority is maintaining directional stability. The driver must hold the steering wheel firmly with both hands and avoid touching the brake pedal. Hard braking while a tire is flat or blown causes severe uneven traction, which can lead to wheel lockup, rollover, or a jackknife. Allowing the vehicle to coast down naturally before applying light braking off the road ensures maximum control.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the symptoms of a drive-wheel tire blowout (vibration and rear-end fishtailing) and maintain a firm two-handed grasp on the steering wheel.
Directional control of the vehicle is maintained.
Tire failure causes sudden dynamic forces that pull or destabilize the vehicle.
2
Keep off the foot brake and allow engine compression and aerodynamic drag to slow the vehicle down naturally.
The risk of wheel lockup, skidding, or a jackknife is eliminated.
Braking hard during a blowout causes unequal drag forces that can instantly throw the vehicle into an uncontrollable skid.
3
Once vehicle speed has dropped substantially, smoothly guide the vehicle toward the shoulder and apply gentle braking to come to a complete stop.
The vehicle safely reaches a full stop outside active traffic lanes.
Gentle braking is safe only after vehicle momentum has dropped to a manageable speed.

Key Concept

Proper emergency response procedure during a tire blowout requires holding the steering wheel firmly, staying completely off the brakes until vehicle speed drops, and then smoothly maneuvering off the road to stop gently.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Tire Failure and Blowouts

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