Car Tips: What To Do When Your Car Breaks Down On The Road
Posted by admin at 14 August 2015, at 10 : 54 AM
You are traveling on a highway on the way to work or perhaps driving to your annual vacation site, and the last thing you need is a breakdown. Suddenly, the car starts to make strange noises, or the lights dim and the power fails; you get a burning or other unusual smell; you see smoke coming from the hood; the car is overheating, or you have to really press the accelerator to the floor to keep the car up to speed. Perhaps the warning lights on the dash have come on.
If you sense the car is about to quit altogether, try to steer it to the breakdown lane or side of the road. You will be better there than being stopped right in the middle of traffic. Preferably pick a place where there is no curve in the road behind you so approaching motorists will see you. If a flat tire is the problem, hold the steering wheel firmly and drive to a safe place even on the flat tire. Then gently apply the brakes to stop (be sure that your spare tire is inflated before you drive).
Once you have reached the side of the road, turn on your emergency lights. Get everyone out of the car and into a safe location, and in no circumstances try to cross the highway or stand in the highway to flag down cars for help. Keep away from the traffic even if you are changing a flat yourself. If checking the engine, don’t do it on the highway side of the car. If you have a cell phone, call your friend, mechanic, or your auto club. If not, try to determine your exact location and use a call box if one is near. Don’t call 911 unless there is an immediate emergency concerning you or your passengers. If you are a woman alone or with small children, tell them that so hopefully they will send aid soon.
It is not necessary to call, as often major highways are patrolled and you will soon get help. It will help if you raise the hood and attach something white outside the window or to your radio antenna. If you have cones or triangles place them a good distance behind the car. If it is at night, place flares behind the car.
There are a number of reasons for automobile breakdowns. including running out of gas; a faulty battery or alternator problems; overheating; a broken line or hose, the fuel pump, an oil or fuel leak, a clogged fuel filter; substandard gasoline, blowouts, not using the proper grade of gasoline for your engine; brake problems, and other causes. Your exhaust system can fall off (causing sparks to the gas tank); or your transmission fails. There have even been cases where an improperly installed battery has fallen over and damaged the radiator. A light on the dash may tell you exactly what is wrong. Following the recommended maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual will eliminate a lot of these problems in advance.
If you have to leave your car because it has to be towed, be sure to remove all your valuables. This is not only a protection against theft, but you don’t know how long repairs will take and when you will again have the use of your car.