What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?

What things should you check during a trip?

Watch gauges for signs of trouble.

Use your senses to check for problems (look, listen, smell, feel).

Check critical items when you stop:

1. Tires, wheels and rims.
2. Brakes.
3. Lights and reflectors.
4. Brake and electrical connections to trailer.
5. Trailer coupling devices.
6. Cargo securement devices.

 Name some key steering system parts.

• Steering wheel
• Steering shaft
• Tie rod
• Steering arm
• Spindle
• Steering knuckle
• Drag link
• Pitman arm
• Gear box
• Hydralic fluid reservior

 Name some suspension system defects.

• Spring hangers that allow movement of axle from proper position.
• Cracked or broken spring hangers.
• Missing or broken leaves in any leaf spring.
• Broken leaves in a multi-leaf spring or leaves .
• Leaking shock absorbers.
• Torque rod or arm, u-bolts, spring hangers, or other axle positioning parts that are cracked, damaged, or missing.
• Air suspension systems that are damaged and/or leaking.
• Any loose, cracked, broken, or missing frame members.

 What three kinds of emergency equipment must you have?

• Fire extinguisher(s).
• Spare electrical fuses (unless equipped with circuit breakers).
• Warning devices for parked vehicles (for example, three reflective warning triangles).

What is the minimum tread depth for front tires? For other tires?

At least 4/32 inch tread depth on front tires

At least 2/32 inch on other tires

Name some things you should check on the front of your vehicle during the walk around inspection.

Front of vehicle and check-

low beams

four-way flashers.

high beams (Turn off after inspected)

parking lights

clearance lights

side-marker

identification lights.

right turn signal

Start walk-around inspection.

What should wheel bearing seals be checked for?

How many red reflective triangles should you carry?

How do you test hydraulic brakes for leaks?

Pump brakes three times, apply firm pressure for five seconds

If brakes move, there may be a leak or other problem.

Why put the starter switch key in your pocket during the pre-trip inspection?

Why should you back toward the driver's side?

If stopped on a hill, how can you start moving without rolling back?

If you have a manual transmission vehicle-

partly engage the clutch before you take your right foot off the brake.

Put on the parking brake

Release the parking brake with enough engine power.

On a tractor-trailer equipped with a trailer brake hand valve-

the hand valve can be applied to keep from rolling back.

When backing, why is it important to use a helper?

What's the most important hand signal that you and the helper should agree on?

 What are the two special conditions where you should downshift?

1. Before Starting Down a Hill
2. Before Entering a Curve

When should you downshift automatic

transmissions?

 Retarders keep you from skidding when the road is slippery. True or False?

 What are the two ways to know when to shift?

Engine Speed (rpm)

Road Speed (mph)

How far ahead does the manual say you should look?

At least 12 to 15 seconds ahead-

• At lower speeds, that's about one block.
• At highway speeds it's about a quarter of a mile

What are two main things to look for ahead?

Traffic that maybe stopped ahead-

Sudden stops

Sudden lane changes

 What's the most important way to see the sides and rear of your vehicle?

• Checking mirrors regularly
• Checking more often in special situations

 What does "communicating" mean in safe driving?

Warn other drivers on the road such as:

Signaling-

turning corners 

changing lanes

Pump brakes lightly to flash lights-

slowing down

trouble ahead

Emergency flashers-

stop in the roadway to unload cargo

slow speed

stopped

 Where should your reflectors be placed when stopped on a divided highway?

Place warning devices from end of vehicle-

10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet toward the approaching traffic

 What three things add up to total stopping distance?

 If you go twice as fast, will your stopping distance increase by two or four times?

 Empty trucks have the best braking. True or False?

 What is hydroplaning?

 What is "black ice"?

• Indicate a clear landmark a vehicle passes infront of you.
• Then count off: "one thousand- and-one, one thousand-and-two" and so on, until you reach the same spot.
• Compare your count with the rule of one second for every ten feet of length

If you are driving a 30-foot vehicle at 55 mph, how many seconds of following distance should you allow

one second for each 10 feet of vehicle length at speeds below 40 mph, add one second for speeds above 40 MPH: 

Determine size of vehicle: 30-feet (3 seconds)

Determine speed of travel: 55 MPH (above 40 MPH +1)

Total seconds of following distance: 4 seconds 

False, opening room infront of you helps prevent having to make sudden speed or direction change

True,

Keep the rear of your vehicle close to the curb. This will stop other drivers from passing you on the right

You should use low beams whenever you can. True or False?

What should you do before you drive if you are drowsy?

What effects can wet brakes cause? How can you avoid these problems?

Effects wet brakes cause:

lack of braking power

wheel lockups

pulling to one side or the other

jackknife if you pull a trailer

Avoid driving through:

deep puddles or flowing water

If not, you should:

slow down and place transmission in a low gear

gently put on the brakes (This presses linings against brake drums or discs and keeps mud, silt, sand, and water from getting in)

increase engine rpm and cross the water while keeping light pressure on the brakes

When out of the water:

maintain light pressure on the brakes for a short distance

make a test stop when safe to do so

You should let air out of hot tires so the pressure goes back to normal. True or False?

You can safely remove the radiator cap as long as the engine isn't overheated. True or False?

What factors determine your selection of a "safe" speed when going down a long, steep downgrade?

Factors determine your selection of a "safe" speed when going down a long, steep downgrade:

total weight of the vehicle and cargo

length of the grade

steepness of the grade

road conditions

weather

Why should you be in the proper gear before starting down a hill?

Why you should be in the proper gear before starting down a hill:

wont be able to shift into a lower gear

may not even be able to get back into any gear

all engine braking effect will be lost

Describe the proper braking technique when going down a long, steep downgrade

Proper braking technique when going down a long, steep downgrade:

apply the brakes just hard enough to feel a definite slowdown

when your speed has been reduced to approximately five mph below, release the brakes. (This brake application should last for about three seconds.)

when your speed has increased to your "safe" speed, repeat steps 1 and 2

What is a hazard?

Why make emergency plans when you see a hazard?

If your vehicle is involved in the accident, try to:

get it to the side of the road

If you're stopping to help:

park away from the accident (The area immediately around the accident will be needed for emergency vehicles.)

put on your flashers

set out reflective triangles to warn other traffic

(Make sure other drivers can see them in time to avoid the accident.)

Name two causes of tire fires.

What kinds of fires is a B:C extinguisher not good for?

When using your extinguisher, should you get as close as possible to the fire. True or False?

Name some causes of vehicle fires.

Causes of vehicle fires:

after Accidents

spilled fuel

improper use of flares

Tires:

Under-inflated tires and duals that touch

Electrical System:

short circuits due to damaged insulation

loose connections

Fuel:

driver smoking

improper fueling

loose fuel connections

Cargo:

flammable cargo

improperly sealed or loaded cargo

poor ventilation

Keep Cool

Take Breaks

Recognize the Danger Signals of Drowsy Driving

Placards are signs put on the outside of a vehicle that identify the hazard class of the cargo

They are at least 10 3/4 inches square, turned upright on a point, in a diamond shape