Let's be real. You are driving down the road. The music is playing. Everyone is happy. Then, out of nowhere, your car makes a funny noise. Or the engine just stops. It is a scary feeling. Your heart starts to beat fast. You do not know what to do. I have been there. It feels like the worst thing ever. But do not worry. You do not need to panic. This guide will tell you exactly what to do. It is very simple. Think of it as a game plan. If you follow these steps, you will be safe. You will get help fast. Let's get started so you know how to handle this bad day.
The First Thing: Get Your Car to a Safe Spot
Okay, your car fair broke down. The most vital thing right presently is security. You do not need to remain in the center of the street. That is road trip emergency tips. Other cars are going quick. They might not see you. So, what do you do first?
If the car is still rolling a small bit, attempt to direct it to the side of the street. See for the right bear. If you are on a enormous interstate, attempt to get as distant absent from the activity as you can. Do not stress almost harming the car. A small soil on the tires is way better than a huge crash. Put on your turn flag so other drivers know you are moving over. If you cannot move the car at all, and you are stuck in a path, do not get out. Remain in your car with your seatbelt on. Turn on your danger lights right absent. Those are the squinting orange lights. They tell everybody, "Hello, I am having a issue!" Getting to a secure spot is step one.
Read Also: Best SUVs and Cars for Long Road Trips
Turn on Your Hazards and Stay Put
So, your car is presently on the side of the street. Great work. The following thing is to make beyond any doubt individuals see you. You require to be exceptionally unmistakable. Keep in mind those flickering lights? Keep them on. Do not turn them off. They are your best companion right presently. They flicker and flicker. They capture the eye of each driver passing by.
Now, here is a enormous run the show. Remain interior the car. Do not get out. I know you might need to see at the motor. Do not do it. Cars are overwhelming and individuals drive quick. Standing exterior is where individuals get harmed. It is much more secure interior your car with your seatbelt on. If you have small kids or pets in the car, make beyond any doubt they remain interior as well. Keep them buckled up. You are secure interior your metal box. You are not secure standing another to it. Fair hold up. Offer assistance is coming. The risks are doing their job.
Call for Help: Who to Tell and What to Say?
You are secure. The lights are squinting. Presently you require to get offer assistance. Get your phone out. Who do you call to begin with? Do not call your mother however. Call the individuals who can offer assistance you right now.
If you have roadside offer assistance, like AAA or the number from your car protections, call them. That is the best choice. They will send a tow truck. If you do not have that, you can call the police. Fair dial 911. Tell them you are broken down on the side of the street. Tell them where you are. It makes a difference to see at the closest street sign. Tell them your car color. Tell them you are secure interior. They will send somebody to offer assistance you. When you conversation, talk gradually and clearly. Say precisely where you are. If you see a mile marker, tell them the number on it. This makes a difference them discover you quick. Do not attempt to walk to a gas station. Fair hold up for offer assistance to come to you.
Be Ready: Pack a Simple Emergency Kit
The best time to think almost a breakdown is some time recently it happens. You can pack a little box of stuff to keep in your trunk. It does not require to be huge or favor. Fair a few basic things can make a huge difference.
Things to have in your car:
- A electric lamp with additional batteries. It gets dull at night.
- A phone charger that plugs into your car. Your phone needs power.
- A bottle of water and a nibble, like a granola bar.
- A warm cover or an ancient coat. It can get cold if you hold up for a long time.
- These things are simple to discover. You can put them in a rucksack or a little box. If you break down, you will be so cheerful you have them. You will have light. You will have nourishment. You will remain warm. It is fair being keen. It turns a terrible circumstance into fair a boring wait.
You May Also Like: Best Road Trips for Couples
What If It's Hot or Cold Outside?
Sometimes the climate is not pleasant. It can be exceptionally hot or exceptionally cold. This makes a breakdown harder. But you can still be safe.
If it is summer and truly hot, the sun can make your car like an stove. You might get as well hot. But you too do not need to run the motor if it is broken. What do you do? If you can, break a window open fair a small bit. This lets a few hot discuss out. If you have water in your pack, drink it. Do not get out of the car to stand in the sun. Remain interior, but attempt to remain cool.
If it is winter and solidifying cold, it is the inverse issue. You need to remain warm. If you have a cover in your unit, put it over you. Put on that ancient coat. If you run the car to get warm, be exceptionally cautious. Make beyond any doubt your debilitate pipe is not secured in snow. If snow is blocking the pipe, awful discuss can come interior. That is perilous. So check the pipe to begin with, or fair utilize the cover. Remaining secure from the climate is fair as critical as remaining secure from cars.
The Tow Truck Is Here: Know What Happens Next
After a few time, offer assistance will arrive. It might be a police car. It might be a tow truck. This is a great locate! The individual will come to your window. Roll it down fair a small bit to conversation to them.
They will inquire you what happened. Tell them your car fair halted. They will inquire where you need to go. This is the time to think. Do you know a workman adjacent? Perhaps you need to go to a gas station that fixes cars. Perhaps you fair need to go to a secure stopping part. If you do not know, that is affirm. They can offer assistance you choose a secure put. The tow truck will snare up your car. You will ride in the truck with the driver. They will take you and your car to the spot you picked. Do not disregard to snatch your stuff from your car! Get your packs, your phone charger, and your crisis unit. Presently the terrifying portion is over. You are secure and on your way to getting your car fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the very first button I should push when my car breaks down?
The to begin with thing is to turn on your danger lights. They are the button with the ruddy triangle. Thrust it right absent. This makes your lights squint. It tells other drivers to be cautious and go around you. It is the quickest way to be safe.
Can I try to fix my car myself on the side of the road?
No, it is best not to. The side of the street is not a secure put to work. Cars are going exceptionally quick. It as it were takes one moment for something terrible to happen. It is much superior to hold up interior your car for a proficient to offer assistance you. Your security is more imperative than the road trip emergency tips.
My phone has no signal. How do I call for help?
If you cannot call, you might require to hold up for somebody to halt. This can be terrifying. Remain in your car with the entryways bolted. Roll down your window fair a minor bit to conversation to somebody who stops. Inquire them to call the police for you. Do not get in their car. Fair inquire them to make the phone call. A great individual will be upbeat to offer assistance you this way.