Power Steering Failure

If your engine dies, causing your power steering to fail:

	Grip the steering wheel hard with both hands and carefully guide the car to the side of the road.
	You may have to push your brake pedal hard to stop your car if you have power brakes.
	Once you have safely stopped, restart your engine and proceed with caution.

Headlight Failure

If your headlights suddenly go out:

	First, try your dimmer switch. Often that will turn them back on again.
	Try the headlight switch a few times. If that does not work, use your parking lights, emergency flashers, or turn signals.
	Pull off the road as soon as you can and leave the emergency flashers on so that other cars can see you.

Hood Latch Failure

If you are driving and the hood of your car flies open:

	Slow down.
	Try to look underneath the hood so you can see.
	If that is not possible put your head out the window and look around the hood.
	Use the painted center line or lane markings as a guide.
	As soon as possible, pull off the road and put your emergency flasher lights on, then deal with the hood problem.

Windshield Wipers Fall

If the wipers fall in heavy rain or snow, slow down, roll the window down, and put your head outside so you can see. Move the car off the highway and stop as soon as possible.

Stuck Gas Pedal

If your gas pedal gets stuck down:

Try to "unstuck it" by placing the toe of your right foot under the pedal and pulling up. If that doesn't work:

Keep your eyes on the road while first shifting into neutral, then applying the brakes. Look for a way out of traffic.  Try to warn other drivers by flashing your emergency lights. Drive the car safely off of the road.  When you no longer need to change your direction, turn off the engine.

Stuck in Snow or Mud

If your car gets stuck in snow or mud:

	Shift the car into low gear and keep the front wheels straight.
	Gently step on the gas pedal.
	To avoid spinning the wheels, drive forward as far as possible, then shift into reverse and drive back as far as possible.
	Shift to low again and go forward, rocking the car back and forth.
	Keep repeating this motion until the car is free of the snow or mud.

You can put boards and tree branches under your wheels in deep mud or snow to get traction. Never do this while the tires are spinning. It could be quite dangerous.

Carrying chains in your vehicle can help you avoid getting stuck if you put them on your tires before you drive in snow or mud.

Steering Wheel Locking Device

Make sure that you never turn your vehicle’s ignition to the "lock" position while the vehicle is still in motion. This can cause the steering wheel to lock if you try to turn the wheel and you may lose control of the vehicle as a result.