What to do if my Car Breaks down on the Road?

You and other motorists are at risk if your car breaks down on a congested highway or interstate. It’s easy to become anxious when automobiles and SUVs are speeding by. When it happens to you, it can be challenging to focus because so many scenarios are going through your mind. There are numerous situations that could result in your car breaking down while you’re driving, including electrical issues, engine issues, gearbox issues, and tyre issues. What should you do if your automobile breaks down on the road?

Following are the steps that you must follow and implement if your car breaks down on a freeway or a road.

 Step 1

Get out of Harm’s Way

Your top concern should always be to place yourself and your passengers in the safest situation possible, regardless of what is happening with your car.

Depending on the fault, you might only have enough vehicle momentum to push you off the road. This gives you very little time to react. As much as it is safe to do so, try to veer to the side of the road or the shoulder and park away from the traffic. Once you’ve stopped, turn your wheels away from the pavement and apply the emergency brake.

Next, don’t get out of the car to push if you can’t get off the road. Stay put and await assistance. Exit through the passenger doors or the doors facing away from the road if you can move the car to a secure location.

After coming to a stop and applying the emergency brake, record your approximate location. Keep an eye out for crossroads, mile markers, and exit signs. When you call for car breakdown assistance, you’ll need this information.

 Step 2

Ensure you and your vehicle are visible

You must make your vehicle visible to other vehicles after moving it to the safest location conceivable. By taking these precautions, you determine that other motorists are aware of your predicament and have plenty of time to give you the required distance.

Turn on your hazard lights regardless of whether you can move your automobile off the road. Although it isn’t always in the same area, this button is typically quite obvious. Moreover, look for a sizable button with an orange or red triangle. This button may be on the steering wheel or in the central console. Thus, you must turn on the lights if your car breaks down on the road.

Here’s another way to grab the attention of other passengers on the road to highlight your car breakdown. Your hazard lights could occasionally not function properly or might not be sufficiently bright to alert other vehicles. Thus, if you have a piece of brightly coloured clothing, such as an extra t-shirt or towel, you can use it. For instance, you can close the driver-side window or door or tie it to the radio antenna to signal for help.

Furthermore, you can use this technique to seek help. To give vehicles enough time to see and respond to your vehicle, position any traffic cones, flares, or other emergency signalling equipment about six feet behind your car.

 Step 3

Call for Help

It can be tempting to concentrate on dialling a tow truck or roadside help when your car breaks down. A car stopped in the middle of the road or at an intersection is extremely risky and can quickly result in a collision. Because of this, you should make sure to alert emergency services as soon as you can. Tell the dispatcher that your car is obstructing traffic when you call. This way, they will send an officer to start directing traffic right away.

The police will make a towing business call on your behalf (of course, at the owner’s expense) if you don’t have roadside help. They might contact a car breakdown recovery service for buying towing service. In any situation, it is essential to have a police officer there because towing a car through traffic is risky for the tow truck driver.

Roadside assistance services might literally save your life. They can assist you with changing a tyre, bringing you a tank of gas, or giving you a jump start. Whether you have service via your insurance or a third-party provider, it is pretty valuable. Additionally, tell the operator when you phone if you are trapped in the middle of the road. They typically dispatch a vehicle right away if they are aware that you are in critical condition.  Establish touch with a friend or member of your family to let them know what’s happening after you’ve called emergency services.

 Step 4

Analyze the Issue

It is usually advised that you avoid getting out of the car to investigate the issue. You should exit from the passenger side door or the door that faces away from the road. Additionally, make sure that you are sufficiently off the road and in a secure location. Before assistance arrives, if you have a chance to inspect your car quickly, keep an eye out for the symptoms listed below.

 Sights

Try to recall any flashing warning lights that you may have noticed on the dashboard. Keep track of any unusual readings that your gauges may be giving you, such as the engine temperature. Even an expert technician may struggle to identify issues from the side of the road, but if you can safely pop the hood, there are certain apparent things you can check for. Take images for future use, for instance, if your engine is covered in fluids. See if a belt is missing or misplaced, or if there are burn scars anywhere.

 Sounds

Has anything alarming been heard? A pop, clang, boom, crunch, or any other noise that shouldn’t be coming from your car? Unusual sounds can assist you to pinpoint the source or reason, even though you might not be able to do so.

 Smells

An odd odour can occasionally serve as a potent diagnostic aid. While the obvious smell of burning electrical systems can reveal a different narrative, the smell of burning oil or other fluids may reveal an engine issue.

On the side of the road, there is usually not much you can do to get your automobile back in working order. To start moving again, though, you might occasionally only need to change a tyre. Never try to change a tyre on the side of the car that is facing the road. It is better to wait for assistance if you are unable to move the car in a safe direction. Thus, it is mandatory to hire a vehicle breakdown service when your car breaks down. 

After you’ve done what you can, be careful to write this down while it’s still fresh in your mind in your auto maintenance diary or keeps a record in your phone. While there might not be a quick fix, having this knowledge on hand can be helpful when help is on the way and might be crucial later when your car is being fixed.

 Final Note

All the steps mentioned above are significant measures that should be taken when your car breaks down. Moreover, you can feasibly identify the primary problem that caused your automobile to break down. This will also benefit you in getting your automobile recovered more quickly.