5 key things to do if your car breaks down
18th January 2012
Having your car break down can be a stressful and expensive experience. All cars are prone to wear and tear, however, the majority of them will also break down at some point in their lifespan.
If and when this situation arises, you may need to know what steps to follow.
Here are five key things to do if your car breaks down;
Don’t panic
It can be hard to know where and when to stop once your car starts misbehaving. Whilst it is important to get your vehicle off the road as soon as possible, motorway hard shoulders should only be used for emergency use.
Hazard lights
It is vital that you warn other traffic by putting on your hazard lights. If you are on a busy road or street, it could be particularly important to notify other drivers. Once you have pulled over to the nearest suitable spot, leave your sidelights on and turn the hazard warning lights on. Do not use a warning triangle on the hard shoulder. You can, however, use a warning triangle on non-motorway roads.
Passengers
If you have passengers, make sure that they are all out of the vehicle once parked. It would be advisable to park as close to the left as possible with the wheels turned left as well. All passengers should exit through the left hand side, in case of any oncoming road users. Leave any animals inside the car or in an emergency keep them well under control. Keep passengers as far away from the road as possible, especially children.
Call for help
Once you have pulled over to a safe place, your lights are on and all the passengers are out of the car, you need to call for help. Use your mobile phone to call your breakdown provider for assistance and if you don’t have one or have run out of battery, walk to the nearest emergency phone on your side of the carriageway. Alternatively, use one of your the phones belonging to the passengers in your vehicle. It is also important to try and describe your location accurately.
Don’t attempt any repairs
If you don’t have breakdown cover and are worried about the costs, don’t attempt to carry out any repairs yourself. It could cost you more in the long run and also put your life at risk potentially. If you do not have the correct skills or knowledge, you could end up damaging your vehicle further.
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