Here are some tips on what to do when your car stops running.
It’s inevitable that a time will come when your car simply won’t function anymore. If you’re lucky, it won’t malfunction in the middle of nowhere. Before you would have to make a decision on whether or not to get it fixed or just sell it, here are steps you should do right away.
If your car breaks down on the road, there are a few steps you can take to stay safe.
Turn On Your Hazard Lights And Flares
Flashing your hazard lights is not only a way to warn other drivers of potential danger, but it’s also the law in some states. In addition to turning on your hazard lights, you should also put out flares or triangles to further alert other drivers.
Call Everyone
Call 911. Third, contact the police and highway patrol. If you’re not able to reach any of these people, try hanging a white cloth out the window. Your breakdown is a serious situation, and you need to be prepared to call a police dispatcher and also let your loved ones know about your situation. If you’re driving alone, put a marker post near the road to let other drivers know you’re not alone. If you need to get out of the vehicle, use the passenger side door. It’s also a good idea to prop up the hood of the vehicle to warn other drivers that you’ve broken down.
If you’re driving to an isolated location, it’s best to call roadside assistance. They can provide you with help when you’re on a highway. Alternatively, you can contact the emergency service online. It’s important to have the information handy. You should have the numbers of the company that provided the breakdown service nearby. If you’re traveling by car, you should also prepare a car-related emergency kit, such as a flashlight, cell phone charger, and duct tape. You should also have a spare tire.
While the police can be helpful, it’s best to wait until you’ve contacted your car service provider for help. If your car breaks down in a remote area, don’t make it worse by trying to fix the problem yourself.
Lock The Car Door
Another important step to take is to get out of the car. This is essential if you don’t have roadside assistance. If there’s no mobile phone signal and you are forced to get out of the car, make sure you lock the door and leave a note on the windshield. Remember the area where you’ve pulled over, before you go to the nearest roadside assistance centre, gasoline station, store, restaurant or any safe public space where you are likely to get help.
Stay Calm
While it may be tempting to run and scream your lungs out, be sure to stay calm – most roads have good shoulder space. It would not do you any good if you panic instead of remembering all these safety tips, such as calling the breakdown assistance service. Try not to think too much and get ahead of oneself by already thinking about calling a service offering car removal for cash Sydney wide; you could do that much, much later, when you are safely back at home and you find that it’s time to say goodbye to your old trusty vehicle. Instead, deal with the matter at hand.
You should be prepared to ask for assistance, and it would also be helpful if you remember the landmarks you’ve recently passed by. It’s a good idea to have all the details on hand.