What To Do If Your Car Breaks Down on the Road

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Experiencing a breakdown on the road can be stressful, and even dangerous, even if you’re in a high

Traffic area or in someplace you don’t know. However, the situation can be approached safely and effectively when remaining calm and taking a few simple steps. Here’s a step-by-step guide: what to do when your car breaks down on the road.

Here is What To Do If Your Car Breaks Down on the Road

Keep Calm and Assess the Situation

Stay calm that’s the most important one. It only makes things worse to panic. Take a breath and assess the situation with your vehicle. Listen for strange noises look for warning indicators on your dashboard and attempt to find out whether it’s something minor like running out of gas or something more serious like engine failure.

Pull Over Safely

If you see your car is failing attempt to maneuver it towards the side of the road swiftly and securely. Follow these guidelines:

Immediately deploy your hazard lights to warn other drivers.
If you can pull over to the right-hand shoulder of the road do so.
Do not stop on curves, hills, or blind spots that other drivers cannot see in time.
If you’re on a highway, head for the nearest off-ramp or the closest rest area you can reach assuming your car can keep moving.

Activate Hazard Light and Use Safety Flag

After you have safely stopped, leave on your hazard lights. If it’s safe to do so, you should put reflective warning triangles or reflective road flares (keep a couple in your car’s trunk) 15 to 50 feet behind your rear bumper, particularly at night or when visibility is poor. If your car breaks down

other vehicles and passing traffic will notice your vehicle from afar which helps prevent a collision.

If Safe Remain Inside Your Vehicle

The best course of action in many cases is to stay inside the vehicle especially if you are on a busy road or highway. Stepping out of your car risks being hit by other cars. Shut and lock your doors and shelter in place while you evaluate the situation and call for help.

Call for Assistance

After you have moved to a safe location contact roadside assistance. You can reach out depending on your situation:

A local auto club or a roadside assistance service like AAA or insurance-provided service.
A tow company if you need your car towed to a mechanic.
Someone you can trust friend or family for support.
FireDept (911) if you are in a dangerous place or feel unsafe.

Try to Identify the Problem

If you have some mechanical savvy look at the basic components of your vehicle.

Battery: If your car doesn’t start the battery may be dead.

Fuel gauge: Make sure you’re not out of gas.

Overheating: If your temperature gauge is elevated, wait for the engine to cool before you open the hood.

Flat Tire: If you have a spare tire and a basic understanding of how to change one you should be able to quickly get back on the road.

Be Careful if You Need to Leave the Vehicle

If you have to exit your car do so with care:

Get out of the vehicle on the passenger side to avoid oncoming traffic.
If you have a reflective vest, wear that.
Maintain vigilance in observing the road and area around you for incoming vehicles.

Do Not Accept Help from Strangers

Take it with a grain of salt though well-meaning strangers do crazy things to help others. If someone does stop do not leave your vehicle, but slightly roll down the window to let them know that help is on the way. Trust your instincts and only accept help if you truly feel safe and comfortable with the person.

Conclusion

When your car breaks down, it is always frustrating and often dangerous but acting the right way can change everything. When an emergency arises, panic may cause you to react with danger, and ensuring a cool head on your shoulders throughout everything is key to getting out of it with little to no harm done if possible. Equipping yourself with these maintenance or emergency tools will also enable you to handle future breakdowns better. Have a safe trip and be prepared for the unexpected!

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