5 Ways To Handle A Car Breakdown
A car breakdown has a special talent for happening at the worst possible time. Late for work? Rain pouring down? Phone battery at 12%? Of course, now would be the time for that breakdown. While it's never fun, knowing what to do can turn a full blown meltdown into just a mild inconvenience that you handle quickly. Here are five ways to handle it without losing your cool.
Pull over to make it safe.
The first thing to do if your car is starting to make weird noises or smell funny is to pull over. And don't panic if you can avoid it. Don't stop in the middle of the road like you've been personally betrayed by your engine signal. Pull over somewhere safe and turn on your hazard lights. If you've got a warning triangle, pop it behind the car. Safety beats heroics every time, and nobody gets a medal for standing on a busy motorway looking confused.
Figure out what's actually wrong with the car.
Once you're safely parked, take a breath and do a quick check. Is there a flat tyre? Is it overheated? Is the dashboard lighting up like a Christmas tree? You don't need to be a mechanic, you just need to have enough awareness to describe the problem to one. This is especially handy if you end up calling for help, whether that's roadside assistance, a friend or mobile tyre fitters highly rated for a fast response when a wheel gives up on life.
Stay visible and stay calm.
If you're stuck waiting, stay inside the car if it's safe to do so, especially on busy roads. Keep your seat belt on and your hazards flashing. Use the time to message someone and let them know where you are. Panicking isn't going to make the car magically start, but staying calm will help you to make smart decisions and avoid shouting at none of what objects.
Know when to call someone and know when to do it yourself.
Some issues are fixable on the spot, like swapping out a spare tyre or topping up the coolant if you know what you're doing. Others are a hard no. If smoke is coming out of your car, all the warning lights are screaming at you, call for help. There's no shame in admitting defeat to a car that clearly woke up choosing violence that day.
Learn from it for next time.
Once you are back on the road, use the experience as a lesson rather than a grudge. Check your tyres regularly, keep your fluids topped up and maybe don't ignore that strange noise for six months. Having a basic emergency kit like charger, torch, water in the car can also make future breakdowns far less dramatic.
Car breakdowns are annoying and inconvenient, but they don't have to ruin the day. With the right mindset, you'll be able to handle any situation like a pro.