It’s a driver’s worst nightmare. There might be a sign or it could occur without any warning. You may hear a cough and a splutter before your car comes to a halt at the side of the road. Or, it might simply stop suddenly, giving you no warning and no idea what to do next. Before we get into what your next step should be, we think it’s important to mention the ways to avoid this in the first place.
Most breakdowns can’t be avoided. It doesn’t matter what you do or how often you check your car if it’s going to break it will break. That said, you can lessen the chances by checking your car thoroughly. Do a tire check every time you drive the car, giving the wheels a good kick. Make sure that you are keeping an eye on the oil level and water level. These should be checked at least once a fortnight. Before you drive, you should also be checking the lights are working and any warning lights on your dashboard. Aside from that, there’s nothing more you can do to prevent a breakdown.
You should, of course, be making sure your car is checked by a professional quite regularly. But don’t go overboard with this idea or it will end up costing you a fortune. Now, it’s time to learn what to do if the worst happens and you breakdown.
Step 1: Hazards On
It doesn’t matter where it’s a beautiful summers day, or you are in heavy snow. If you’ve broken down unexpectedly, put your hazards on straight away. This is particularly important if you have broken down and are now blocking the road or if the car is on a corner.
Step 2: Switch The Engine Off
If you don’t know why the car has broken down, you should switch the engine off. It’s unlikely that the car is dangerous, but it’s still better to be safe than sorry. If there is a problem with the engine, a single stray fuse could set it alight.
Step 3: Check It’s Safe
Before getting out the car, you must check if it’s safe. Obviously, if you have stopped in the middle of the highway or motorway, it will not be safe to leave your vehicle. You will need to wait for road assistance. However, if your car is at the side of the road, you should take your phone and wait by the car, a good distance away. That way you won’t be in any danger if another car does hit it.
Step 4: Call For Help
Your next step is to call for assistance. You should know the number of a good breakdown recovery team in your area. If you don’t, walk to the nearest phone line and call the number provided.
Step 5: Wait At The Road
Do not get back in your car. If you have a visibility jacket, put that on but don’t wait in your car for assistance. This is incredibly dangerous because if a vehicle does hit your car, you could be seriously injured. You should wait away from the road with your car in sight.
We hope you have found this advice useful and that you never have to use it.