Question

You are driving in traffic. The engine of your automatic transmission stalls. What should you do?

1) Turn on your hazard lights and try to restart the engine
2) Shift to neutral and try to restart the engine
3) Pull over to a safe location and call for assistance
4) Check the fuel gauge and refill if necessary

Answer 1

The correct action when an automatic transmission engine stalls in traffic is to turn on your hazard lights, shift to neutral and attempt to restart the engine. If unable to restart, pull over safely and seek assistance, also check the fuel gauge for emptiness.

Step-by-step explanation:

When an automatic transmission engine stalls in traffic, the immediate concern is for the safety of you and other road users. The correct action to take is to:

1. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers that your vehicle is not functioning properly.
2. Shift to neutral and attempt to restart the engine.
3. If the engine does not restart, then pull over to a safe location immediately. If you cannot move the vehicle, remain inside with your seatbelt on and call for assistance.
4. Check the fuel gauge to ensure that the issue is not as simple as being out of fuel, and if necessary, refill the tank.

Note that in cases where the engine will not start at all, similar to when a refrigerator light dims because of a motor or when car lights dim due to battery resistance, the issue might be electrical or related to the fuel system. In such cases, thorough diagnostic testing may be required.