SECTION 2 Flashcards
what to look for?
tire problems.
wheel and rim problems.
steering system defects.
suspension system defects
exhaust system defects.
emergency equipment.
cargo.
what to look for?
tire problems.
wheel and rim problems.
steering system defects.
suspension system defects
exhaust system defects.
emergency equipment.
cargo.
types of vehicle inspections?
why isnpect?
Safety is the most important reason you inspect your vehicle, safety for yourself and for other road users. A vehicle defect found during an inspection could save you problems later. You could have a breakdown on the road that will cost time and dollars, or even worse, a crash caused by the defect. Federal and state laws require that drivers inspect their vehicles. Federal and state inspectors also may inspect your vehicles. If they judge the vehicle to be unsafe, they will put it “out of service” until it is fixed.
cdl vehicle inspection test?
seven step inspection method?
vehicle overview
check engine compartment
start engine and inspect inside the cab
turn off engine and check lights
do walkaround inspection
check signal lights
start the engine and check
inspection during a trip
Check Vehicle Operation Regularly You should check: Instruments. Air pressure gauge (if you have air brakes). Temperature gauges. Pressure gauges. Ammeter/voltmeter. Mirrors. Tires. Cargo, cargo covers. Lights, etc If you see, hear, smell, or feel anything that might mean trouble, check it out. Safety Inspection. Drivers of trucks and truck tractors when transporting cargo must inspect the securement of the cargo within the first 50 miles of a trip and every 150 miles or every three hours (whichever comes first) after.
accelerating
steering
Hold the steering wheel firmly with both hands. Your hands should be on opposite sides of the wheel. If you hit a curb or a pothole (chuckhole), the wheel could pull away from your hands unless you have a firm hold.
stopping
backing safely
start in the proper postition
look at your path
use mirrors on both sides
back slowly
back and turn towards the driver side
use a helper
manual transmission
basic method for shifting up
knowing when to shfit up
use engine speed (rpm) and road speed
basic procedure for shifting down
special conditions where you should downshift
before staring down a hill.
downshift before staring down the hill
before entering a curve
multi speed rear axles and auxillary transmission
automatic transmission
retarders
seeing ahead
importance of looking far enough ahead
how far ahead to look
seeing to the sides and rears
mirror adjustments
regular checks
traffic
check your vehicle
special situations
lane changes
turns
merges
tight maneuvers
how to use mirrors
signal your intentions
turns
lane changes
slowing down
trouble ahead
tight turns
stopping on the road
driving slowly
dont direct traffic
communicating your presence
when passing
when its hard to see
when parked at the side of the road
stopping distance
perception distance
reaction distance
braking distance
total stopping distance
the effect on speed on stopping distance
the effect on vehicle weight on stopping distance
matching speed to the road surface
slippery surfaces
identifying slippery surfaces
shaded areas
bridges
melting ice
black ice
vehicle icing
just after rain begins
hydroplaning
speed and curves
Drivers must adjust their speed for curves in the road. If you take a curve too fast, two things can happen. The tires can lose their traction and continue straight ahead, so you skid off the road. Or, the tires may keep their traction and the vehicle rolls over. Tests have shown that trucks with a high center of gravity can roll over at the posted speed limit for a curve. Slow to a safe speed before you enter a curve. Braking in a curve is dangerous because it is easier to lock the wheels and cause a skid. Slow down as needed. Don’t ever exceed the posted speed limit for the curve. Be in a gear that will let you accelerate slightly in the curve. This will help you keep control.
speed and dsitance ahead
speed and traffic flow
When you’re driving in heavy traffic, the safest speed is the speed of other vehicles. Vehicles going the same direction at the same speed are not likely to run into one another. In many states, speed limits are lower for trucks and buses than for cars. It can vary as much as 15 mph. Use extra caution when you change lanes or pass on these roadways. Drive at the speed of the traffic, if you can without going at an illegal or unsafe speed. Keep a safe following distance. The main reason drivers exceed speed limits is to save time. But, anyone trying to drive faster than the speed of traffic will not be able to save much time. The risks involved are not worth it. If you go faster than the speed of other traffic, you’ll have to keep passing other vehicles. This increases the chance of a crash, and it is more tiring. Fatigue increases the chance of a crash. Going with the flow of traffic is safer and easier.
speed on downgrades
Your vehicle’s speed will increase on downgrades because of gravity. Your most important objective is to select and maintain a speed that is not too fast for the: Total weight of the vehicle and cargo. Length of the grade. Steepness of the grade. Road conditions. Weather. If a speed limit is posted, or there is a sign indicating “Maximum Safe Speed,” never exceed the speed shown. Also, look for and heed warning signs indicating the length and steepness of the grade. You must use the braking effect of the engine as the principal way of controlling your speed on downgrades. The braking effect of the engine is greatest when it is near the governed rpms and the transmission is in the lower gears. Save your brakes so you will be able to slow or stop as required by road and traffic conditions. Shift your transmission to a low gear before starting down the grade and use the proper braking techniques. Please read carefully the section on going down long, steep downgrades safely in “Mountain Driving.”
roadway work zones
space ahead
the need for space ahead
how much space?
space behind
dealing with tailgaters safely
avoid quick changes
increase your following distance
dont speed up
avoid tricks
space to the sides
staying centered in a lane
traveling next to others
strong winds
Many drivers forget about the space under their vehicles. That space can be very small when a vehicle is heavily loaded. This is often a problem on dirt roads and in unpaved yards. Don’t take a chance on getting hung up. Drainage channels across roads can cause the ends of some vehicles to drag. Cross such depressions carefully. Railroad tracks can also cause problems, particularly when pulling trailers with a low underneath clearance. Don’t take a chance on getting hung up halfway across.
space overhead
Hitting overhead objects is a danger. Make sure you always have overhead clearance. Don’t assume that the heights posted at bridges and overpasses are correct. Re-paving or packed snow may have reduced the clearances since the heights were posted. The weight of a cargo van changes its height. An empty van is higher than a loaded one. That you got under a bridge when you were loaded does not mean that you can do it when you are empty. If you doubt you have safe space to pass under an object, go slowly. If you aren’t sure you can make it, take another route. Warnings are often posted on low bridges or underpasses, but sometimes they are not. Some roads can cause a vehicle to tilt. There can be a problem clearing objects along the edge of the road, such as signs, trees, or bridge supports. Where this is a problem, drive a little closer to the center of the road. Before you back into an area, get out and check for overhanging objects such as trees, branches, or electric wires. It’s easy to miss seeing them while you are backing. (Also check for other hazards at the same time.)
space for turns
right turns
left turns
space needed to cross or enter traffic
importance of seeing hazards
what is a hazard
seeing hazards lets you be prepared
learning to see hazards
hazardoes roads
work zones
drop off
foreign objects
off ramps/on ramps
drivers who are hazardous
blocked vision
vehicles may be hidden by blind intersections or alleys
delivery trucks can present a hazard
parked vehicles can be hazards
pedestrians and byciclist can be hazards
talkers
workers
ice cream trucks
disabled vehicles
accidents
shoppers
confused drivers
slow drivers
drivers signaling a turn may be a hazrd
drivers in a hurry
impaired drivers
driver body movement as a clue
You should always be looking for hazards. Continue to learn to see hazards on the road. However, don’t forget why you are looking for the hazards–they may turn into emergencies. You look for the hazards in order to have time to plan a way out of any emergency. When you see a hazard, think about the emergencies that could develop and figure out what you would do. Always be prepared to take action based on your plans. In this way, you will be a prepared, defensive driver who will improve your own safety as well as the safety of all road users.
the distracted driving crash problem
The Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS) reported that 8 percent of large-truck crashes occurred when Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) drivers were externally distracted and 2 percent of large truck crashes occurred when the driver was internally distracted. Approximately 5,500 people are killed each year on U.S. roadways and an estimated 448,000 are injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted driving (NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts: Distracted Driving). Research indicates that the burden of talking on a cell phone - even if it’s hands-free - saps the brain of 39% of the energy it would ordinarily devote to safe driving. Drivers who use a hand-held device are more likely to get into a crash serious enough to cause injury
space overhead
Hitting overhead objects is a danger. Make sure you always have overhead clearance. Don’t assume that the heights posted at bridges and overpasses are correct. Re-paving or packed snow may have reduced the clearances since the heights were posted. The weight of a cargo van changes its height. An empty van is higher than a loaded one. That you got under a bridge when you were loaded does not mean that you can do it when you are empty. If you doubt you have safe space to pass under an object, go slowly. If you aren’t sure you can make it, take another route. Warnings are often posted on low bridges or underpasses, but sometimes they are not. Some roads can cause a vehicle to tilt. There can be a problem clearing objects along the edge of the road, such as signs, trees, or bridge supports. Where this is a problem, drive a little closer to the center of the road. Before you back into an area, get out and check for overhanging objects such as trees, branches, or electric wires. It’s easy to miss seeing them while you are backing. (Also check for other hazards at the same time.)
