A car breakdown is a stressful event for anyone, and not only is it stressful, but it can be dangerous if you don’t take the right steps to manage the situation safely.
Whether you’re driving in the city or out in the countryside, there are a lot of steps to be involved in resolving the problem and getting you and whoever you’re with home and secure. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process from start to finish!
Recognizing the Signs of an Impending Breakdown
In several ways, managing a breakdown happens minutes, or sometimes even hours, before the main event actually occurs.
Modern vehicles do a great job of alerting the driver when there’s a problem, and usually, there are several tell-tale markers of something being wrong. Here are some of the key signs to look out for:
Dashboard Warning Lights
One of the main ways you’ll be alerted to a potential breakdown is through the series of warning lights that pop up on your dashboard when there’s an issue. If you see lights signaling you to check the engine, the battery, or the oil pressure, it’s crucial to take them seriously to stay safe.
If you see any of these lights, pull over to the nearest safe location and investigate further. Be sure to have your car’s user manual on you at all times – not only will the manual tell you what each light means if you’re unsure, but it should also tell you what to do if the light comes on and how safe it is to continue driving.
Strange Smells
Strange smells that engulf your driving space should be taken note of. The first thing to do is try to discern whether or not the smell is coming from inside the car: it’s often the case that smells coming from the outside environment are mistaken for some fault with the vehicle, so open the window and wait a couple of minutes to try and land on a concrete answer.
If you’re still unsure or determine the smell is coming from your car, pull over. Smells of fuel or burning rubber can signal something that’s about to break, and naturally, this can spell the signs of major danger ahead if you’re in the middle of driving.
Smoke and Steam
Everyone knows that seeing smoke or steam rising from your vehicle is a sign of danger, and you should pull over immediately if this happens to you. Smoke is often suggestive of an overheating problem or even an oil leak, and in these instances, fire can follow. This means that it’s crucial to turn the engine off as soon as it’s possible and safe to do so.
Strange Noises
Hearing strange noises, such as creaking, rattling, or grinding, is another clear sign that something is wrong with your car. The actual cause could be due to a number of different faults, ranging from a relatively insignificant loose bolt to a major engine failure, so it’s always best to stay on the side of caution and pull over.
Acceleration problems
Another common problem are acceleration problems – namely losses of engine power when going up hill, and even full engine cut outs. It’s obvious there’s something wrong if this is happening, and it always means it’s time to pull over and call for assistance.
The Process of Pulling Over Safely
Whenever you notice something wrong with your car, the priority is always safety, and that means pulling over and switching the engine off. Follow these steps:
Start by Turning On Your Hazard Warning Lights
The first thing you need to do when you notice something’s wrong is to turn on your hazard lights. This immediately signals to other drivers that there’s an issue and increases your visibility; other’s being aware of the problem allows you the space and time you need to deal with it.
Start to Slow Down and Move Into the Nearest Shoulder
Start to slow your speed down and look for the nearest shoulder. If you’re in a more built-up urban area, look for the nearest parking space on the road, or even better, pull into a parking lot. Try not to panic in these situations and slam the breaks on – the moments before pulling over are a prime time for accidents to occur, because people have heightened emotions and are not thinking as clearly.
Stop and Turn Off the Engine
Once you’ve stopped, turn off the engine (but remember to recall which warning lights were flashing), and if you’re in a safe location, step outside for a break and a breather.
Assessing the Situation
Next comes making a preliminary assessment of the severity of the situation, because your problem could range from something very simple to a major issue. Ultimately, you’re probably going to need to call for assistance if the issue has necessitated a pullover, but there are a few things to do first before you take that route:
Inspect Your Car for Visible Problems
Not all problems require your vehicle to be towed away, and in some cases, you may be able to visibly see the issue on the outside of your car. That noise you heard could be as simple as something that’s snagged on the underside of the vehicle, in which case removing it solves your problem. The bumpy ride could be a flat tire – if you have the tools, a spare, and the know-how, you can fix this yourself. You should also check your car for anything that’s loose or any leaking fluids.
Making Necessary Calls
If you determine that you’re unable to fix or find out what the problem is yourself, it’s time to call in for help. If your car insurance plan covers roadside assistance, they’re your first port of call: in some cases, they can tow your vehicle for you and give you the necessary ride home.
If you don’t have such a plan in place, you’ll want to call a private towing service. Just make sure that you have your GPS location on hand (your phone will be able to tell you), what problem you’re facing, and the brand and model of your vehicle as well as the license plate number.
Finally, be sure to call your friends and family to let them know what’s happened. It’s common that in the heat of the moment, you completely forget that people might be worrying about you!
Following Up After the Breakdown
Once the ordeal is over and you’re back at home, there’s some important follow-up to do.
First and foremost, it’s key to contact your insurance provider. You need to tell them what’s happened even if you can’t make a claim, just so that they have a record of things. If you have been involved in an accident as part of the breakdown, it’s critical to have them walk you through the process.
If your car isn’t irreparable, you should try to get to the bottom of the fault as soon as possible. Work with a mechanic you trust to diagnose and fix the fault – it’s normally best to have the towing service take your car directly to the garage because then it can be worked on as soon as possible.
You should also restock your roadside kit if you’ve used anything. Many people forget to do this, and then find themselves without the necessary supplies when a break down occurs again later on down the road.
Preventative Measures to Avoid Breakdowns in the Future
Finally, it’s essential to do your utmost to prevent a breakdown from happening again in the future. You won’t be able to mitigate the problem entirely, of course, but there’s plenty you can do to lessen your chances. Here are some aspects to consider:
Check Your Tires Regularly
Check your tires regularly by monitoring the tire pressure and tread depth – a tire blowout is one of the most common reasons for a breakdown, and of course, if you’ve used your replacement tire for a previous breakdown, make sure you replace it as soon as possible.
Regular Maintenance
Make sure that you take your vehicle to the garage for regular maintenance tests. The mechanic will be able to inform you about the need to change worn parts, and about specific known issues with your particular model.
Checking Fluid Levels
Fluid levels make a big difference. Make sure that every time you drive, you’re taking care to check the levels of fuel, coolant, brake fluid, and transmission fluids.
Regularly Checking Your Battery
Don’t run the risk of a dead car battery. Make sure to check regularly that it has enough charge, and if it’s nearing the end of its lifespan, be sure to change it as soon as you can. A battery change isn’t an expensive job, but recovering from one that’s gone flat could be.
Wrapping Up
Going through a breakdown doesn’t necessarily have to be the stressful event you may envisage. Provided to that you adhere closely to the advice above, make an effort to remain calm, and take things one step at a time, you’ll be back on the road in no time!
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