Vehicle breakdowns are a common occurrence and can happen to anyone. Vehicle breakdown can cause a very stressful situation, especially at night, on highways, during winter, or during a long road trip. In such situations, people often make decisions that can cause more trouble. Being prepared for such mishaps is extremely important. While you may be planning your trip for a long time, you can only be ready for a dead battery, a flat tire, or a smoking engine. Searching for a mechanic or an expert can be difficult. So, the best way is to be prepared for the most common car emergencies.
In this article:
2. Stay Visible
4. Carry the right vehicle tools
5. Get in Touch with Road Assistance
6. Final Words
1 Carry an emergency kit
It is always important to carry an emergency kit in your car. Remember, ‘prevention is better than cure. Packing an emergency kit and keeping it in the trunk can be very helpful in unfortunate situations like car breakdowns. The emergency kit must have all the essential items like a first aid kit, water, food, candles, and some important tools. Carry a jumper cable because sometimes a car breakdown may happen due to battery malfunction. You can also carry a couple of warm clothes for extremely cold weather.
2 Stay Visible
If you encounter an accident at night, ensure you stay visible. The best way to make sure you are visible on the roads is to turn on the interior lights along with the headlights. Make sure that the engine is running, or else powering the batteries will quickly drain your car’s battery. If possible, lift the bonnet of your car. An open bonnet alerts towing trucks, patrol vehicles, and other vehicles about your situation. It might also help you fetch help quickly and easily.
3 Move away from the Harm
Accidents often cloud the driver’s decision-making power. If you are caught in such a situation, move to a safer place. Pull the vehicle to the side of the road if it is not completely broken. Turn on the hazard lights to reach help and alert the other drivers. Engage the emergency brake and try contacting the emergency numbers for help. However, if you are stuck in the middle of the traffic, do not move out of the car. Let people beep at you angrily. They will soon realize that your vehicle has broken down.
4 Carry The Right Vehicle Tools
Make sure that you carry the necessary vehicle tools. On your journey, you might encounter a flat tire, a leaking valve, a dead battery, or an overheated engine. Carry necessary items like a jack, an extra tire, a lug wrench, and a tire stop to tackle some vehicle emergencies.
Read more about the essential tools every car owner must have.
5 Get in Touch with Road Assistance
After reaching a safe spot, get in touch with roadside assistance. If you have an internet connection, conduct a google search for ‘roadside assistance near me. The roadside assistance will resolve the car issue on the spot or tow it to the nearest repair shop. Your car will be repaired accordingly, and you can carry on your journey.
6 Final Words
You may be very careful while driving on the road, but you may still find yourself in a vehicle emergency. You must always know how to tackle vehicle emergencies like a flat tire, dead battery, gas shortage, etc. Having an emergency kit in the car helps you through car breakdowns and accidents.
Monitor your vehicles regularly, and do not ignore the warning signs. You must also know how to jump-start your car battery or change your car’s flat tire. You must know how to tackle vehicle emergencies as they will save your life and others.
