Help! My car just broke down. Call Triple-A! Are you feeling anxious? Are you worried? Are you feeling stressed and frustrated? That’s ok, we all do. When we’re stuck on the side of the road with a broken-down car and we don’t know what to do, we start to panic and worry that we’re going to be late or that we’re going to be stuck with an enormous repair bill. Here are some car breakdown tips from Bliss Towing Service experts to get you moving again:
- Know your car’s location.
Pullover to the side of the road in a safe spot. If you’re in the middle of nowhere and that’s not possible, try to mark your car’s location in relation to major landmarks. AAA Tip: If you don’t have a GPS device, use your car’s navigation system or cell phone app to provide directions when calling for help.
- Check your tire pressure.
Checking your tire pressure is extremely important for two reasons. First, it can help prevent blowouts. Second, it can help you identify problems with your tires before they contribute to an accident. Several things can cause low or high tire pressure, but it’s essential to make sure you know what they are to better understand how they affect your tires.
As the only thing between your car and the road, your tires must be properly inflated to the specifications indicated on the side of your tire.
- Stay in your vehicle until help arrives.
Especially in inclement weather, many dangers can arise if you leave your vehicle while it’s still running. These include carbon monoxide poisoning, random traffic accidents that could cause injury, and even theft. Only leave your vehicle if it’s critical for safety or, say, to move it off of a dangerous roadway, so it doesn’t become a hazard to others.
Bonus point: Be Prepared for the Unexpected
Even the most reliable vehicle can eventually break down or have an issue that requires some attention. While some problems are more accessible to fix than others, being prepared for the unexpected is essential. Getting your car ready for a breakdown can help you avoid some of the stress of finding yourself stranded with a car that won’t run while stranded on the side of the road
- Breakdown Cover
It may be tempting to assume your breakdown cover will come into play if you have a puncture or run out of petrol, but you should also have cover for all other aspects of your car. If you need to call out the breakdown team, then it’s likely that you could be left stuck in the middle of the road for hours, not knowing when your car will be recovered. With breakdown cover, you are covered for any mechanical issues that are not down to driver error. Without cover, you still have to pay to get your car recovered until you can prove fault.
- Put together your roadside kit.
Get an emergency kit including jumper cables, flares (retroreflective triangles), tire sealant & plug kit, flashlight & batteries, booster cables, rain poncho, first aid kit, gloves, tool kit with multiple sizes of screwdrivers, adjustable wrench, pliers, blanket, etc. Also include fire extinguishers and flares (retroreflective triangles).
Bonus point: Always keep your gas tank at least half full. Don’t rely on this tip alone. If you keep your tank full, your chances of breaking down are reduced significantly while saving you fuel costs.
- Don’t run the engine if you’re stranded in an area with high crime rates.
The noise of your engine is likely to attract attention, whether good or bad. Turning your engine off can reduce the chances of you being attacked or your vehicle being stolen.
- Make sure your lights are on.
If you’re in the daytime, daytime running lights are more than enough to signal to passing motorists that you need help. If you’re stuck in the dark, your car’s headlights will come in handy for signalling local authorities or passing traffic.
What you should expect when calling for roadside assistance.
Since you’re still reading this article, I’m going to assume that you’re going to need roadside assistance at some point. Whether this is your car, your family’s car or your friend’s car, you’re likely to need some help now and again, and I think it’s about time I share some tips with you.
One thing to know is that calling roadside assistance is only the first step in what will hopefully be a smooth process. Once you have called for help, you should remain calm while waiting for the tow truck or other service provider to arrive. Some drivers find themselves so eager to have their car fixed that they begin working on their own before help arrives. However, this approach can leave you vulnerable, especially if you are alone.
When calling for help, it is essential to know that your provider will likely ask you about the type of help that you need. Depending on the type of problem you are experiencing, you should select from options such as vehicle jump start or tire change. There may also be additional options, depending on where you are when your car breaks down. For example, if your car is trapped in mud or snow, there may be an option for towing to a repair shop.
Side note: Don’t call a recovery firm without checking its status online first: you could be risking your safety by phoning a company that doesn’t have a good service record or that has been temporarily banned by your insurer.
