Final answer:
Apply the brakes firmly and shift into neutral is the recommended action when a gas pedal gets stuck, as it allows for controlled deceleration. It's important to understand friction dynamics, such as easing off brakes to transition smoothly from kinetic to static friction, to avoid stops.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the gas pedal sticks, the recommended action is to apply the brakes firmly and shift into neutral. This approach allows you to maintain control while reducing the engine power. Attempting to pump the gas pedal to loosen it could be dangerous and ineffective, as it does not directly address the problem of the stuck pedal. It is critical not to turn off the engine immediately, which would result in a loss of power steering and servo-assisted brakes, or to drive faster, which would obviously be hazardous.
As you learn to drive, the subtleties of controlling a vehicle become apparent, such as when you ease up on the brake pedal to avoid a stop. This is due to the relationship between static and kinetic friction. Kinetic friction occurs when the car is in motion and is generally lower than static friction, the force you must overcome to initiate movement from a standstill. As the car slows down and is about to stop, easing off the brake reduces the braking force, allowing the transition from kinetic to static friction to be smoother. When you abruptly stop, the abrupt increase in frictional forces can cause the vehicle.