Practice question

What should you do if your drive wheels start to spin while starting your vehicle from a stop?

  1. Take your foot off the accelerator
  2. Shift to a lower gear
  3. Turn the steering wheel
  4. Apply the brakes firmly

Answer: A — Take your foot off the accelerator

Taking your foot off the accelerator is the correct action to take if your drive wheels start to spin while starting your vehicle from a stop. When your drive wheels are spinning, this indicates a loss of traction, which can make it difficult to gain forward momentum. By easing off the accelerator, you reduce the power being sent to the wheels, allowing them to regain grip on the road surface. This helps to regain control of the vehicle and prevent it from becoming stuck or sliding further. In contrast, shifting to a lower gear could cause the wheels to spin even more aggressively, worsening the loss of traction. Turning the steering wheel may not effectively address the issue of spinning wheels and could lead to a loss of control instead. Applying the brakes firmly in this situation can lead to further loss of control, as it may cause the vehicle to skid, especially if the wheels are already spinning.

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