Automotive

How To Properly Handle Your Car Breaking Down On A Highway

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It is a scary situation when your car breaks down on the highway. Suddenly you are stranded on the side of the road with no help in sight, and it can be difficult to know what to do next. This blog post will walk you through some steps that can save you time and money while giving you peace of mind during an emergency.

Call for help

The first thing to do is pull over onto the shoulder if possible. Many safety hazards come with roadside emergencies. Thus, doing this is crucial for your safety and well-being as well as the safety of others. Make sure that your car is in a safe location before you call for help. This will allow you to be out of the way when emergency services arrive, and will also allow you to keep your car’s hazard lights on so that other drivers can see where it is. 

Once you have done this make sure to call for help immediately. You should always call 911 in an actual emergency, but if there isn’t a serious risk then you may want to call a towing company or a roadside assistance company. Some companies can give you step-by-step instructions over the phone, which will help you with what steps to take next when your car breaks down on the highway.

If you have a roadside assistance plan then you must call the company and go through their protocols for when your vehicle breaks down on the highway. In almost all cases, they will ask if you can get off of the road safely before coming to rescue or assist you with what needs to be done. Some companies will automatically send a tow truck to your location if you are not in an area where it is safe for you to get off of the road, but others may ask that you stay put until they arrive.

Find your emergency kit

Make sure you always keep an emergency kit in your car that you will be able to easily access if you need it. This kit should contain items such as gloves and a warm blanket to keep yourself safe and comfortable during your wait, a flashlight with extra batteries, bungee cords, flares, or road triangles for safety on the side of the highway. It should also have some screwdrivers that can work in case something needs to be fixed, tire sealant to repair any leaks in your car’s tires, and a spare tire if possible. If you are stranded on the side of the road for an extended period then it can be easy to get hypothermia so make sure your kit also has some hand warmers or chemical heat packs that will help keep you safe while you wait.

By being as prepared as possible, you can be confident that you will know what to do when your car breaks down on a highway. It is important to always have an emergency kit in your vehicle so that if it does break down then you can stay safe and warm until help arrives. Make sure you have a roadside assistance plan with your car insurance or membership so that if something does happen, then getting the problem fixed will be easy and stress-free.

Stick to the “three Ps”

When it comes to what to do when your car breaks down on the highway, make sure you stick to “the three Ps.” This means that it is important for you to remain patient and positive while your car’s problem is being dealt with. Being in a hurry will not help anyone. Instead, this can cause accidents and delays in getting assistance. Patience and positivity are keys to getting through this situation. Being patient will allow you time to relax and not worry about the circumstances of your car breaking down on a highway or freeway while being positive can help motivate you when it comes time to deal with any problems that arise.

The second P is to put on your hazard lights if you are able, which will alert other drivers to your presence and tell them that you are not an immediate threat. This can be helpful if it is dangerous for anyone else to stop by the side of the road, like in bad weather or high traffic times. It will also allow you to keep your car’s lights on so that other drivers are aware of where you are.

With the last P being to pull over safely, this means making sure to get your car off of the road if it is not safe for anyone else to stop by. If there is debris in the area then make sure to clear away as much as possible before you call for help. Gather all of your belongings out of your broken-down vehicle so they don’t get lost or damaged by anyone else who might want them.

Establishing safety

The most important part of this situation is establishing safety for yourself and others. Do not attempt any repairs to your broken-down vehicle unless you can do so safely. However, you can still check the engine, tires, and gas tank of your vehicle to see if any issues could have caused the breakdown. If you do not feel comfortable with this then it is ok to wait for a tow truck. Finally, have a plan for how you’ll get home once the car has been towed from the side of the highway. By thinking ahead and being prepared for this situation, you can easily get through a car breakdown on a highway or freeway.

Knowledge is power, and the more you know about your car’s potential hazards, the better prepared you will be to handle any eventuality. Having a plan for how to get home after your vehicle has broken down on the highway and has been towed or needs roadside assistance can save everyone involved some time and aggravation. Knowing which steps you need to take in advance will help ensure that this unfortunate incident doesn’t disrupt other aspects of your life. With the right tricks up your sleeve, you may never have to experience another broken-down vehicle.

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