You’ve probably had it happen at one time or another in your life. You stick the key in the ignition, turn it, and nothing happens. Or perhaps you’ve gone about your regular routine only to see smoke spewing from the engine of your car. Both situations provide a stressful and nerve-racking scenario, as your malfunctioning car costs you time and money. However, if you know exactly what to do when your car breaks down, you can avoid some of the headaches associated with the situation. The next time your car breaks down, follow these steps to avert a total crisis.
Get Off the Road
If you’re lucky when your car breaks down, and I say lucky very loosely, you’re already in a parking lot, your driveway, or somewhere out of the way of other motorists. If that isn’t the case, you need to get your car off the road as soon as possible. Even if it requires a push or help from some good Samaritans, moving it off the road is just as important for your safety as it is for other drivers. Sometimes, you won’t have this option because the car won’t start. In this case, stay seated in the car, turn on your hazards, and call AAA or an auto body for help.
Alert Other Drivers
When you break down, it’s possible that no other people are available to help you. To flag down another driver, try placing a white cloth in your window to attract attention on top of turning on your hazards. Road flares and road cones are another great way to attract the attention of other drivers, even if it’s just so they know to avoid your location. In addition, it gets the notice of roadside assistance services or law enforcement, which can help get you the help you need.
Make a Phone Call
Hopefully, you have a mobile phone to make a call to the proper organization or people. If you don’t or if your phone is out of commission, you may have to walk to the nearest store or gas station. Either way, you’ll need to call the local highway patrol, roadside assistance, family, friends, or towing company. Even if a towing company is your last resort, they’ll often offer you a ride to the auto shop.
Avoid Strangers
You don’t necessarily have to avoid strangers at all costs. Instead, just use common sense. If you’re a female by yourself, you probably shouldn’t take a ride from someone you don’t know even if they seem like a good person. On the flip side, if you’re six-and-a-half-feet-tall and 250 pounds, you have a bit more leeway when it comes to hopping into the car of someone lending a helping hand. However, if it’s nighttime, you may just want to wait until the proper authorities arrive or a tow truck comes rather than taking your chances elsewhere.
By following these steps, you can avoid any other catastrophes that may happen when your car breaks down. From there, get your car to a mechanic, and hopefully, the damage isn’t as bad as it may seem.
Photo by Percita | Licensed under cc BY-SA 2.0
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