What should you do when the gas pedal sticks?

• A. Shift to neutral.
• B. Turn off the engine immediately.
• C. Continue pressing the gas pedal.
• D. Apply the parking brake.

Answer: (A)

When the gas pedal sticks, your priority is to stop the unintended acceleration and keep full control of the vehicle. Shifting to neutral disconnects the engine from the drive wheels, so the car won’t be pushed forward by the engine. This lets you slow down with the brakes and steer safely toward a safe area.

Turning off the engine right away can reduce power steering and brakes, making the car harder to control, especially at speed. Continuing to press the gas pedal just keeps the throttle open and the car accelerating. The parking brake isn’t the right move in this moment because it can affect vehicle control and may not slow you down quickly enough. After you’ve slowed and are safely stopped, you can decide to turn off the engine.