FTT vehicle control and handling explained

Sample questions, explained

12 of the 13 questions in this chapter, with the reasoning behind each answer.

1. 1. The brake warning light stays on after you have fully released the handbrake. What does it most likely mean?

   • AThe brake fluid in the reservoir is below the proper level (correct answer)✓
   • BA door is not properly shut
   • CThe high beam is switched on
   • DThe engine is overheating

   Why: This light normally comes on with the ignition and goes off when the handbrake is released. If it stays on, the brake fluid level is too low and should be checked.

2. 2. The battery warning light stays on after you start the engine. What does it indicate?

   • AThe battery is fully charged
   • BThe handbrake is still applied
   • CThe battery charging system is faulty (correct answer)✓
   • DThe fuel tank is nearly empty

   Why: The battery light should go off once the engine starts. If it stays lit, the system that charges the battery has a fault.

3. 3. Which hand positions on the steering wheel are recommended?

   • AOne hand at the top of the wheel
   • BBoth hands at 'ten-to-two' or 'quarter-to-three' (correct answer)✓
   • CBoth hands at the bottom of the wheel
   • DOne hand on the wheel and one on the gear lever

   Why: The handbook recommends two grips, both hands at 'ten-to-two' or both at 'quarter-to-three'; choose whichever is more comfortable. After a turn, do not let go and let the wheel spring back on its own.

4. 4. When should you use the handbrake to slow down a moving car?

   • AAt every stop, to save the footbrake
   • BWhen going down a long slope
   • COnly in an emergency, such as when the footbrake fails (correct answer)✓
   • DWhenever the road is wet

   Why: The handbrake works only on the rear wheels and is for holding the car still. It should not be used to stop a moving car except in an emergency.

5. 5. You want to use engine braking to control your speed down a hill. Why must you keep the clutch pedal up?

   • APressing the clutch disconnects the engine, so engine braking stops working (correct answer)✓
   • BPressing the clutch makes the engine brake too hard
   • CThe clutch pedal also works the handbrake
   • DIt does not matter whether the clutch is pressed

   Why: Engine braking only works while the engine is connected to the wheels. With the clutch pressed the car freewheels, and a lower gear gives a stronger engine-braking effect.

6. 6. In which situation should you NOT use the intermittent (on/off) braking technique?

   • AWhen stopping at traffic lights
   • BWhen stopping in an emergency (correct answer)✓
   • CWhen drying the brakes after a flood
   • DWhen a vehicle is following close behind you

   Why: Pressing and releasing the brake two or three times is the safest way to make a normal stop. In an emergency stop you need to stop in the shortest distance, so this technique is not used.

7. 7. Your manual car stalls while you are moving off uphill. What should you do first?

   • ARestart the engine at once
   • BPull up the handbrake
   • CShift into neutral
   • DPress the brake pedal straight away to stop the car rolling back (correct answer)✓

   Why: Press the footbrake first so the car does not roll backwards. Then pull up the handbrake, select neutral and restart the engine.

8. 8. How should you sit and look when reversing a car?

   • ATurn your body to the left and look back through the rear windscreen (correct answer)✓
   • BSit facing forward and use the interior mirror only
   • CLean out of the driver's window
   • DWatch the side mirror on the right only

   Why: Turning your body and head lets you see through the rear windscreen directly. Sitting as if driving forward and relying on the mirror leaves too much unseen.

9. 9. Your footbrake fails while you are driving. Which of these is the right response?

   • ASwitch off the engine at once and coast
   • BPump the accelerator to slow down
   • CSwitch on the hazard lights, use the handbrake and change down to a lower gear to use engine braking (correct answer)✓
   • DShift into neutral and steer towards the kerb

   Why: Warn others with the hazard lights and use the handbrake. Changing down, preferably to 2nd gear, adds engine braking, and you switch off the engine once you have stopped safely at the side.

10. 10. Your accelerator pedal sticks down while you are driving. What should you try first?

    • ASwitch off the ignition immediately
    • BHook the toe of your shoe under the pedal to lift it, keeping your eyes on the road (correct answer)✓
    • CPull the handbrake hard
    • DLook down and free it with your hand

    Why: First try to lift the pedal with your toe without looking away from the road. If that fails, switch on the hazard lights, move safely to the side, stop and switch off the ignition.

11. 11. When your car turns left, how does the path of the rear left wheel compare with the front left wheel?

    • AIt follows exactly the same path
    • BIt runs closer to the kerb (correct answer)✓
    • CIt runs further from the kerb
    • DIt lifts slightly off the road

    Why: The rear wheel on the inside of a turn cuts closer to the kerb than the front wheel. Watch for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists beside you as you turn.

12. 12. One of your direction indicators has stopped working. What should you do?

    • ADrive on and use hand signals until your next service
    • BUse the hazard lights instead
    • CDrive only during daylight
    • DDo not drive the vehicle until it is repaired (correct answer)✓

    Why: You should not drive if your headlamps, tail-lamps or direction indicators are not working. Signals that fail to light up can cause an accident.

Keep going

• All 20 vehicle control & handling questions (FTT) ›
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