If you own a car, it is inevitable that sooner or later a breakdown or problem will occur. Whether it’s a dead battery, flat tire or engine failure, it’s important to know how to respond to these situations. In this article, we will give you the most important tips on how to act properly when your car breaks down and how to keep yourself and your vehicle safe.
First and foremost, it is always important to remain calm during a breakdown. Often motorists get nervous and do not know what to do. However, it is important to think clearly and proceed step by step. We will explain to you, step by step in this article, what is the best course of action when your car breaks down.
Responding to a car breakdown
When you have a car breakdown, it’s important to act immediately. Depending on the situation and the location, there are several things you can do to get back on the road quickly and safely.
First, it is important to find a safe place to park the car. If possible, pull off to the side of the road or into the nearest parking lot. If you are on a highway or expressway and there is no emergency lane, then you should turn on your hazard lights and drive as far to the right as possible.
Once the car is safely parked, you need to decide what to do next. If you want to fix the car breakdown yourself, make sure you have the necessary tools and spare parts with you. If not, you must call for help.
- Call roadside assistance if you are a member of an automobile club.
- If you are not a member, you can also call your local towing service.
- In some countries, you can also call the police, who can help you organize roadside assistance.
Remember to remain calm and level-headed and watch out for other road users to avoid further accidents. With immediate action and smart behavior, you can get back on the road quickly and safely.
What to do if your car breaks down?
If your car suddenly breaks down, the first thing you should do is stay calm and take safe action. Avoid unnecessary risks by using the hazard warning lights and warning triangle.
Hazard warning lights: Immediately switch on your hazard warning lights as soon as you notice a puncture. This will alert other road users to your situation and allow them to react accordingly. Make sure that you do not leave the hazard warning lights on for an unnecessarily long time, as this can confuse other road users.
Warning triangle: Place your warning triangle at a sufficient distance behind your car. This will warn following traffic and reduce the risk of a collision. Observe the prescribed distance, depending on the speed of the traffic.
In addition, you should bring yourself and your passengers to safety by leaving the car on the right-hand side of the road and staying behind the guardrail or on a safety lane.
- Switch on the hazard warning lights
- Set up warning triangle
- Get to safety
Remember: Only if you react appropriately, you will safely survive a car breakdown.
Tire location on the car! What to do? How to react correctly
It is one of the most common breakdowns that motorists can experience: a tire blowout. In this case, quick and safe action is required. Even if it is easy to do in a panic, keep calm and react courageously in the event of a tire blowout.
First of all, try to park the vehicle as quickly and safely as possible on the hard shoulder or breakdown lane. Avoid abrupt steering movements and braking maneuvers.
Once you have brought the car to a stop, it is important to turn on the hazard lights so that other road users can react to the semi breakdown. Afterwards, you should set up the warning triangle at a distance of at least 50 meters and also put on the high-visibility vest so that you can be easily seen by other road users during possible repair work or when changing a tire.
If you are not sure how to change the tire or if a repair is possible, it is better to call the roadside assistance service. A professional can help quickly and reliably and knows exactly how to proceed. To call for roadside assistance, keep your cell phone handy and dial the provider’s number or an emergency number.
- Park the car on the hard shoulder
- Switch on the hazard warning lights
- Set up warning triangle
- Put on a high-visibility vest
- Call a breakdown service or carry out the repair yourself (if possible)
The correct behavior in the event of a flat tire can save lives and is especially important in order not to endanger the safety of other road users. By acting quickly and safely, consequential damage, such as an accident, can be avoided.
Organize help in case of a car breakdown – tips and tricks
When you have a car breakdown, it can be very stressful and distressing, especially if you are far from home or in an unfamiliar area. It can be difficult to know what to do, but there are some steps you can take to organize help and get back on the road.
First, it’s important to find a safe place to park your car. Make sure you are highly visible by turning on your hazard lights and setting up a warning triangle. If possible, stay close to your car to better alert emergency services to your presence.
Next, try to find a garage nearby that can help you repair your vehicle. It is also advisable to have a roadside assistance option in your insurance policy to be able to call for help quickly and easily.
If there is no repair store nearby, or the problem is bigger than expected, you may need to call a towing company. Make sure you have the towing company’s contact information and where your car is located on hand to make the process as quick as possible.
To be better prepared for such situations in the future, it is a good idea to have an emergency kit in your car. Include a warning triangle, fire extinguisher, spare tire with tools, flashlight and blanket.
- Find a safe place to park your car
- Look for a garage or roadside assistance facility
- Call a towing company if necessary
- Prepare for these situations with an emergency kit
Follow these steps to deal with a broken down car. It’s important to stay calm and think rationally to organize help quickly and get back on the road safely.
Preventive measures against car breakdowns
It can happen at any time that your car breaks down and a car breakdown occurs. But by taking a few preventive measures, you can reduce the risk of a breakdown and respond properly if one does occur.
- Regular maintenance: a regular check of the vehicle by the workshop can detect defects early and correct them before they lead to serious damage.
- Checking fluids: Regularly checking oil, coolant and brake fluid ensures the car is functioning properly and reduces the risk of engine damage and overheating.
- Tire check: checking tire pressure and tread depth regularly will increase safety and prevent tire blowouts.
- Sufficient fuel and battery charge: an empty tank and battery can quickly lead to a breakdown. Therefore, make sure that both are always sufficiently filled.
However, if a car breaks down, it is important to stay calm and take the right steps. Inform other road users by placing a warning triangle and exit the car via the passenger side. Call a towing service or a roadside assistance service afterwards to bring the car to the garage.