Vehicle Inspection Guidelines
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Questions and Answers

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

Safety

What senses should you use for vehicle inspection?

Look, hear, smell, feel

What is the minimum tread depth for front tires?

4/32

Name some tire problems.

<p>Mismatched sizes, radial and bias-ply tires used together, re-grooved, recapped, or retreaded tires on the front wheels of a bus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is considered too much steering wheel play?

<p>More than 10 degrees (2 inches movement at the rim of a 20-inch steering wheel)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some defects in a suspension system?

<p>Missing or broken leaves in any spring.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What emergency equipment should be onboard?

<p>Fire extinguisher (rated B/C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if you are parked on a street doing a pre-trip inspection?

<p>Walk around so you are facing the oncoming traffic.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if you have to raise the hood?

<p>Tilt the cab and secure loose things so they don’t fall and break something.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should be checked on the rear tires?

<p>Properly inflated, no serious cuts, tread wear, same type and size tires.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do you test for hydraulic leaks?

<p>Pump the brake pedal 3 times, then apply firm pressure for 5 seconds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do you test the parking brake?

<p>Fasten seat belt, allow vehicle to move forward slowly, apply parking brake.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the procedure to test service brake stopping action?

<p>Go about 5 mph, push brake pedal firmly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

When should you check your cargo?

<p>Within the first 25 miles of a trip and every 150 miles or every 3 hours afterward.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How should you accelerate to avoid rolling back?

<p>Partly engage the clutch before taking your right foot off the brake.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can rough acceleration cause?

<p>Mechanical damage and, when pulling a trailer, damage to the coupling.</p> Signup and view all the answers

You should always try to avoid backing up when possible.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are safety rules when backing up?

<p>Look at your path, back slowly, back towards drivers' side when possible, use a helper.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is double clutching in manual transmissions?

<p>A driving procedure used when shifting, depress the clutch, shift to neutral, let clutch out, increase RPM.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should you watch to know when to shift?

<p>Engine speed (RPM) on the tachometer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

When should you downshift?

<p>Before starting down a hill, before entering a curve.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do retarders help with?

<p>Slow a vehicle, reduce brake wear.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How far ahead should you look while driving?

<p>12 to 15 seconds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should you do when putting out warning triangles?

<p>Hold them between yourself and oncoming traffic for your safety.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Speed and stopping distances add up as follows: ___ + ___ + ___ = total stopping distance.

<p>Perception + Reaction + Braking</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is perception distance?

<p>3/4 seconds, 60 ft.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is reaction distance?

<p>The time it takes from the brain telling your foot to move to the foot actually pushing the brake pedal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is braking distance?

<p>The distance it takes to stop once the brakes are applied.</p> Signup and view all the answers

At what speed does it take four times as much stopping distance?

<p>When you double your speed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Empty trucks require less stopping distance.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

When going into curves, what should you do?

<p>Reduce your speed; braking into a curve is dangerous.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the five objectives to consider when selecting speed on downgrades?

<p>Total weight of vehicle and cargo, length of grade, steepness of grade, road conditions, weather.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the braking effect of the engine greatest?

<p>When it is near the governed RPMs and the transmission is in lower gears.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How much space should you keep in front of you?

<p>40 ft trailer, leave 4 seconds at 40 mph; greater speeds add 1 second.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why should heavy vehicles stay to the right?

<p>They can’t keep up and often move slower, especially uphill.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should you do to deal with tailgaters?

<p>Avoid quick changes, increase your following distance, don’t speed up.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect do strong winds have while driving?

<p>They make it hard to stay in lanes, especially for lighter vehicles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should you ensure regarding overhead objects?

<p>Always have overhead clearance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should you watch for when crossing into oncoming lanes to make a turn?

<p>Watch out for vehicles coming towards you and give them room.</p> Signup and view all the answers

You should look directly into bright lights when driving.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

When should you use high beams?

<p>When you are not within 500 ft of an approaching car.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the best advice for driving in fog?

<p>Don't drive if possible. If you must, slow down and use low beams.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should you pay extra attention to when driving in winter?

<p>Coolant level, antifreeze amount, defrosting and heating equipment, tires, light conditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of engine oil?

<p>Helps keep the engine cool.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do sight glasses allow you to do?

<p>Check the coolant level while the engine is hot.</p> Signup and view all the answers

You can safely remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should you check for with engine belts?

<p>Tightness and any signs of cracking or wear.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can broken hoses lead to?

<p>Engine failure and even fire.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should you understand about mountain driving?

<p>Gravity plays a major role in speed control.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should you do when descending a steep downgrade?

<p>Apply the brakes just hard enough to feel a slowdown.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are accident procedures?

<p>Protect the area, notify authorities, care for the injured.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What causes tire fires?

<p>Under-inflated tires and duals that touch.</p> Signup and view all the answers

When do many heavy motor vehicle accidents occur?

<p>Between midnight and 6 AM.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are hazardous materials?

<p>Materials that pose a risk to health and property during transportation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are placards used?

<p>To warn others of hazardous materials.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What shape and size are placards?

<p>10/34 in square, in a diamond shape.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Not all vehicles need placards for hazardous materials.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

It is safe to load a truck with more than one product.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

When should you check cargo?

<p>As part of your pre-trip inspection, after 3 hours or 150 miles, and after every break.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the gross vehicle weight (GVW)?

<p>The total weight of a single vehicle plus its load.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the gross combination weight (GCW)?

<p>The total weight of a powered unit plus trailer plus cargo.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)?

<p>The maximum GVW specified by the manufacturer for a single vehicle plus its load.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the gross combination weight rating (GCWR)?

<p>The maximum GCW specified by the manufacturer for a specific combination of vehicles plus its load.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Poor weight balance can make vehicle handling unsafe.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should tiedowns be capable of?

<p>Strong enough to lift one and one-half (1 1/2) times its load.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum number of tiedowns required?

<p>One tiedown for each 10 ft of cargo.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two basic reasons for covering cargo?

<p>To protect people from spilled cargo and to protect the cargo from weather.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should you check for sealed loads?

<p>Exceed gross weight and axle weight limits.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Vehicle Inspection

  • Primary reason for vehicle inspection: Safety.
  • Senses utilized for inspections: Look, hear, smell, feel.

Tire Conditions

  • Minimum tread depth for front tires: 4/32 inches.
  • Problems to avoid: Mismatched tire sizes, using radial and bias-ply tires together, or retreaded tires on front wheels of a bus.
  • Rear tire checks: Ensure proper inflation, no serious cuts or tread wear, and uniformity in tire type and size.

Steering and Suspension

  • Steering wheel play: More than 10 degrees or 2 inches movement at the rim can hinder steering ability.
  • Suspension defects: Missing or broken leaf springs; if 1/4 or more are missing, vehicle is out of service.

Emergency Equipment

  • Required items include a fire extinguisher (rated B/C), spare electric fuses, and three reflective warning triangles.

Pre-Trip Procedures

  • If parked on a street, walk around facing oncoming traffic.
  • When raising the hood, secure loose items to prevent damage.

Brake System Checks

  • Testing hydraulic leaks: Pump brake pedal three times, hold firmly; if pedal sinks, there may be leaks.
  • Testing parking brake effectiveness: Fasten seatbelt, allow vehicle to move forward, apply parking brake; it should stop the vehicle.
  • Service brake stopping action: At 5 mph, pushing the brake firmly should not pull the vehicle to one side.

Load Management

  • Check cargo within the first 25 miles of a trip and every 150 miles or 3 hours thereafter.
  • Accelerating: Partially engage the clutch to prevent rolling back and apply sufficient engine power before releasing the parking brake.

Driving Techniques

  • Smooth and gradual acceleration is vital to prevent mechanical damage, especially when towing.
  • Avoid backing up when possible; aim to park for a forward exit.
  • Safety rules for backing: Look at your path, back slowly, and if available, use a helper.

Shifting Gears

  • Double clutching technique: Depress clutch, shift to neutral, release clutch, increase RPM, then shift into gear.
  • Shift based on engine speed (RPM) using the tachometer.

Speed and Stopping Distance

  • Total stopping distance at 55 mph includes perception, reaction, and braking distances, totaling approximately 290 feet.
  • When speed doubles, the stopping distance increases fourfold.

Driving Adjustments

  • Greater stopping distances for empty trucks due to reduced traction.
  • Reduce speed before entering curves and downhill grades to prevent rollover risks.

Hazard Awareness

  • Understand the definition of a hazard: any road condition or user that may pose a danger.
  • Use caution when crossing into oncoming lanes to make turns; ensure sufficient visibility.

Weather and Visibility

  • In fog, reduce speed, and use low beam headlights.
  • Avoid using retarders in winter conditions; focus on coolant levels, defrosters, and tire readiness.

Vehicle Maintenance

  • Engine oil maintains engine temperature.
  • Inspect hoses and belts for wear; broken hoses can lead to engine failure.
  • Escapability ramps are designed to slow down runaway vehicles.

Cargo Safety

  • Check for safe combinations of cargo when loading multiple products.
  • Always secure cargo with tiedowns; a minimum of one tiedown per 10 feet of cargo is required.

Weight and Load Ratings

  • Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the total weight of the vehicle and its load.
  • Gross Combination Weight (GCW) includes the powered unit, trailer, and cargo.
  • Ratings (GVWR and GCWR) represent the manufacturer's maximum safe weights for vehicles and combinations.

Safe Practices

  • Maintain a safe following distance of approximately 4 seconds at 40 mph for a 40-foot trailer, increasing with speed.
  • Avoid tailgating situations by adjusting following distances; do not speed up when tailgated.
  • Manage strong winds and overhead clearances to maintain lane position and safety.

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Description

This quiz covers essential vehicle inspection protocols focusing on safety aspects. Key areas include tire conditions, steering and suspension checks, emergency equipment, and pre-trip procedures. Understanding these guidelines is crucial for ensuring road safety and compliance.

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