Is there anything more irritating than being left stranded on a side road in the hot Australian heat because your car has suddenly stopped? What makes things even worse is not knowing the reasons behind the engine failing. There are several reasons for a car engine to stop dead without a previous warning; it can be an ignition failure, running out of fuel, malfunctioning sensors, alternator issues, or clogging in the fuel pump. No matter the causes of the malfunctions, the most important thing is your and others` safety on the road. There are important tips on acting if your car suddenly stops; read through our guide for more information.
1 -- Call For Help
If you fail to know the cause of the malfunction, the safest action to take is to call for help. It is not the cheapest option out there but calling a nearby repair shop is the best thing you can do, especially if you`re not an expert when it comes to cars. If you face a sudden car stop in a remote area, towing your car is the only option. The professionals at Fast Sydney Towing recommend that you call for an insured towing service that works 24/7 in the area you are stranded in. Roadside assistance companies are usually available at any time; choose one that is reputable, fast, and safe.
2 -- Get To The Side Of The Road
The first thing you need to do is to get to the side of the road; it is hard but not impossible. Try not to panic, stay calm, and try to pull over. The steering wheel and the breaks are probably gone, and you might not be able to slow down. In order to stop the car from moving, use the emergency brake but make sure you do not take this action unless you have enough space. Make sure you`re not in the way of other drivers. At this point, there are two things that you need to focus on: your safety and the safety of others on the road and getting your car out of the way.
3 -- Emergency Flashers
Activating your car flashers is of great importance in order to alarm drivers that you`re facing a problem with your car. Emergency flashers make your car visible to others on the road, which will notify them that you need assistance or at least avoid other vehicles from crashing into yours. It is also recommended to use a reflective triangle to alert other drivers early enough to take precautionary measures, especially if it is dark at night.
4 -- Restart Your Car
If you were able to restart your car`s engine, great, but you have to head to the nearest repair shop; they`re the ones who are able to indicate the problem and solve it. You can not keep driving if your car suddenly stops without prior warnings that there`s something wrong with the engine or any other malfunction. Most cars have automatic indicators that warn you if something is wrong.
Problems, such as a sudden car stop, happen when you least expect them to stay calm and act quickly are two things that are hard to apply but are very important to be able to function in the right way. Periodic car checks and maintenance can reduce or avoid car problems but can not prevent them from happening.
