What to do if your car breaks down

No matter where you are driving, your car stalling as you drive is a very stressful situation. There are some factors that can make it more worrisome. This includes scenarios like having children and pets in the car or if you are miles from anywhere.

Before you can manage to call roadside assistance, there are going to be several things that you need to do. 

Coasting 

Whenever it is possible, coast the car away from any bends in the road. If your car has broken down at night, visibility around corners is tough. It can put your car at more risk. Being away from any bends and corners is also beneficial if your roadside assistance can get your car started and you need to pull off again. 

Lane changes

If the car has come to a complete stop on the highway and you are trapped in high traffic, it can be risky to get out. You’ll need to make the decision. If you successfully manage to get to the hard shoulder, you should set up warning triangles. 

For occasions that you cannot move the car, put your seatbelt on, make sure all of the airbags are on, put your hazards on and call emergency services immediately. 

Only if it is completely safe should you exit a vehicle and head to the hard shoulder. 

Avoid doing major car repairs yourself

You might be tempted to get out of the car and try and work on it. If you have made it to the hard shoulder, make sure you stand away from the side of the road. And always keep in mind that you are at risk of a collision. 

Never try to work on your car from the side that is closest to the traffic. Always ensure that you have warning triangles and the hazards on. 

White flag

If you have something white in the car, it can be used to signal to other road users that you are unable to move the vehicle. Wind the window down slightly, and pull a corner of the white item through, then wind the window back up. If there is nothing white you can use, try to use something with the lightest color possible. 

Call for assistance 

Your location and situation matter when it comes to how high up on the priority list you will be. If you have children in the car or are a woman traveling alone, make sure to state that to the roadside assistance and any emergency services you need to call. 

Take a look at your surroundings and give as detailed a description as you can. Look for any signs, or think about the last sign that you saw. Are there any houses nearby? Are there any numbers on the barriers? What about road markings? Any of these types of details can make sure that roadside assistance and recovery can find you more quickly. 

Once you have contacted the appropriate services, if possible, send your location to your nearest friends and family. If you have enough battery, allow them to track you for the following few hours, so they can either come and help pick the children up or see that you have been taken home/to your destination. As well as being practical, it can be something that keeps you safe. 

Car emergency kit 

We like to think that nothing dramatic will ever happen to us, but cars, even the newest model, can break down. And when they do break down, it is a good idea to make sure that you have some of these items in the trunk. Breaking down in bad weather or at night time can mean that you take longer to get to – so being prepared is important. 

• Locking wheel nut keys
• Phone charger cable, in-car charge, and portable battery charger
• Sunglasses (for everyone)
• An atlas
• Reflective warning signs (these are mandatory in the EU, but handy to have anyway)
• A shovel 
• Bottles of water and dried food goods (be sure to check the expiry dates regularly)
• Blankets, socks, and heat packs that react to air
• An empty fuel can
• A first-aid kit
• Jumper cables
• Hi-vis jackets
• Multiple torches and spare batteries 
• De-icer and a scraper

Staying safe when your car breaks down is important, and it is always better to be prepared. Before every drive, it is important to do a run-through to check your car is in good working order, and regular care is essential too: Car care tips to keep it running smoothly.

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