No one thinks a car breakdown will happen to them – until it does. Most of us cruise along, for the most part expecting to get from point A to B without any bumps in the road. But car breakdowns always happen when we least expect it. You could be one of the luckier ones – where your car breaks down before you’ve barely left the house. Or you might not be so lucky – perhaps breaking down in a remote location, in traffic or on a busy highway where cars are flying past you.
Knowing what to do in the event of a car breakdown will help keep you, and your car, as safe as possible. Read on for everything you need to know if your car breaks down and how to begin troubleshooting a car breakdown.
Take preventive safety measures
Perhaps the most important step in troubleshooting a car breakdown is preventing its occurrence in the first place! There are many reasons a car may break down. Some of the most common include fuel problems, worn down, damaged or flat tires and faulty car batteries. These issues can stop your car from driving at any time, whether you’re ducking down to the shops or going on a long road trip. Preventing these issues from going unnoticed and unfixed is done by regularly servicing your car.
Prepare for the worst – ensure you’re covered
Even with regular log booked services, any driver is at risk of breaking down. That’s why vehicle owners need to prepare for the worst. Be sure to check your insurance/roadside assist cover is up to date. Then you can rest assured that if you were to break down, you’d be met with efficient recovery and towing services. Depending on your coverage, you will likely also have the provision of alternative transport such as taxis.
Keep the essentials in your car
Keeping a few essential items in the car will leave you just that little bit less stressed in the event of a car breakdown. You’ll want to make sure you have a roadside safety kit with you, complete with the equipment you may need in the event of a car breakdown. This kit should include car tools and jumper cables.
You never know where you’ll break down, or what the weather conditions will be like. You may end up having to walk a distance to get help, especially if you are in a remote area where phone reception is low. Keep walking shoes, a rain jacket, a change of clothes suitable for warm and cold weather, and a blanket stowed away in the back of your boot or under the seats.
Particularly if you are travelling long distances, be sure to pack some non-perishable food items and plenty of water too.
What do you do when your car breaks down?
Now you know what to do to prevent a car breakdown, and to prepare for a car breakdown, it’s time to discuss what you actually need to do in the event of a car breakdown.
If you feel your vehicle start to stall, pull over safely to the left-hand side of the road, where you will be as far away from passing vehicles and pedestrians as possible. You may be waiting a while for assistance to arrive, so staying out of the way is the best thing you can do.
Turn your hazards on so other drivers are aware of your situation.
Stay calm. A broken-down vehicle can be an unnerving and unfamiliar experience. But panicking will only make it more difficult to make good decisions in this situation. Try to stay calm by taking a few deep breaths, and following your pre-planned procedure.
Call roadside assistance. If you are on a busy highway, be sure to remain in your car with your seatbelt on. Notify roadside assist of your location and situation. If you don’t have a working phone, find an emergency telephone – these are often located on the side of the road on highways. These phones are free to use and will correct you directly with emergency services.
Stay in the vehicle. It’s best to remain in your vehicle with your seatbelt securely fastened until help arrives. If you do need to exit the car for whatever reason, check whether it is safe to exit your car and be sure to exit via the passenger door, away from passing traffic. Be sure to keep your keys and any valuable belongings with you at all times. Avoid dangerous situations and try to avoid crossing busy roads. If you have left your vehicle, wait for help behind a safety barrier or embankment, as these will likely be the safest options available to you.
Be aware of your surroundings. You will need to make sure your breakdown doesn’t lead to any safety issues for you or other drivers and pedestrians. A breakdown is stressful at the best of times. Taking the required safety precautions and following a plan will keep your breakdown situation from becoming hazardous.
Keep your car in excellent working condition with Win Win Service
With Win Win Service, you can rest assured you have taken the appropriate preventative steps to avoid a car breakdown. Plus, you can keep your car in excellent working condition; at the right price. Win Win offers heavily discounted car services with the help of our friends, Goodyear Autocare. You can now get your car services with the cost of labour removed – bringing the price down from over $1000 to $179. Be sure to contact our helpful team for more information.
