7 Ways to Deal with a Car Breakdown

Having a car breakdown while driving on a busy highway can be a nightmare. If you are used to driving in such conditions, it is advisable to take preventative measures to avoid being stranded and wasting time on a sudden car breakdown, which can be a possible issue.

Keep reading this article to learn more about the strategies that can help you avoid such problems.

What to Do in the Case of Car Breakdown?

Are you used to driving alone in difficult road conditions? You are likely to expect a car breakdown anytime. Under such circumstances, it is important to have peace and mind and avoid panicking. Here are some of the strategies you can take to revive this problem.

1. Turn the Emergency Lights On

According to the National Motorists Association (NMA), the first step in such a condition should be to turn the hazard or emergency light on within the vehicle. This way, you can inform other passengers that you are stuck in a situation. Keep these lights on until your help arrives in any shape or form.

2. Get Off the Road

The next step would be to slow down the car and pull off on one side of the road. You cannot keep it on the road while it is undergoing a breakdown. This place should be far away from the road traffic. Additionally, ensure that this place is safe and flat to avoid any further complications with your vehicle.

3. Put Car Wheels on Emergency Brake

Vehicle experts suggest putting the car wheels on an emergency or parking brake to avoid accidents during this time. For instance, if you are stuck in a hilly or sloppy area, there are chances that it might roll into the traffic if the emergency brakes are not applied. This can result in a serious accident.

4. Stay in Your Vehicle

If you are stranded in the middle of nowhere, it is safer to wait inside the car than on the road. However, if you need to get out to check the damage or fix it, move to a safe place before you do so. Additionally, make sure that the road in your surroundings is clear. Try to get through the passenger door if you are parked on the right side of the road.

5. Become Visible

The best thing to do in this situation is to call for help. Once stranded, you can prop up your hood to become visible and alert the other drivers to be cautious while driving past your vehicle. Moreover, placing flares or triangles with reflectors behind the vehicle will also raise awareness about its breakdown.

6. Try to Get Help

You can also directly inform the traffic police and ask for help. Call emergency numbers or your insurance company for roadside assistance if no sergeant is available. There are also digital applications available for booking tow trucks, mechanics or roadside assistance that you can use here.

7. Try a Roadside Assistance Membership Plan

If you are terrified of being stranded or stuck in such circumstances, you can try a roadside assistance membership plan. These plans provide the following services.

Jump starts
Towing
Fuel delivery
Lockout services

You can easily purchase such a plan from any automobile insurance provider. These come in handy when you are stuck in the middle of nowhere, and there is hardly any assistance available in the surroundings.

How to Prevent a Car Breakdown?

Now that you know what to do if your car breaks down, you must be curious to find ways to prevent such situations. While these are mostly sudden and accidental, you can do your part to reduce the frequency of such issues on the road. The following tips will help you avoid car breakdowns.

1. Carry an Emergency Kit

If you wish to take precautions to prevent such incidents, it is advisable to carry an emergency kit in the trunk of your vehicle. It is up to you to decide the stuff that goes inside this kit. In general, it should contain a first aid box, non-perishable food, water and basic tools for the car, such as the jumper cables. You can also include the contact details of your car-care services and car insurance provider.

2. Maintain the Condition of Car Battery

If your car is struggling to take a start, it means your car’s battery is weak. It is better to get professional checkup done immediately. Even though the battery is receiving charge from the alternator, there is no guarantee that it will not break down in the middle of nowhere.

Apart from that, you can also take initiatives for increasing your car’s battery life. Simply turn the ignition off when you are not driving and turn the lights off after parking. Do not waste any time in getting a professional checkup if you experience a flat car battery.

3. Top up Your Car’s Engine Oil

It is essential to keep your car hydrated to maintain its health and longevity. In this regard, engine oil is essential for maintaining the functions of your vehicle. It helps avoid excessive heating in the engine and build-up of friction, allowing the vehicle to move and operate efficiently.

Thus, periodic fluid top-ups are essential for your vehicle. You will receive an alert if the level of engine oil starts dropping. The engine oil light starts showing up. If it comes to your notice, pull over and check if the engine oil is dripping underneath your vehicle. Do not continue driving, as it will end up in a breakdown.

4. Consider Regular Car Servicing

Regular car servicing can enhance your car’s health and longevity. If you particularly tend to drive regularly under poor road conditions, you must consider comprehensive servicing at least once in six months. Moreover, avoid missing your MOTs at the right time to keep the car parts under check.

Even though the regular car servicing and replacing of car parts might seem an expensive affair, it will benefit you in the long run. People who suggest these replacements are experts and can help you avoid car breakdowns.

5. Avoid Driving under Bad Road Conditions

Smooth driving can help you avoid frequent breakdowns of your vehicle. In most cases, avoiding driving in extremely cold weather or snow is advisable, as it can create rapid temperature changes and damage car components. Moreover, rash driving can affect your car conditions. Hard brake applications can result in worn-out brake pads.

On the other hand, riding your clutch frequently can wear down the raring essential for keeping the clutch components under proper functioning. Worn-out and damaged car parts can easily cause accidental breakdowns at any time. Therefore, practise smooth driving to avoid these issues.

6. Maintain the Water Level and Temperature

Maintaining the proper water level and temperature can help you avoid a car breakdown. Before starting a trip, remove the radiator cap from the engine and fill it with water to the max level. The temperature should ideally be about 90 degree celsius. If it starts rising, you will notice a rising needle or red warning lights on the car dashboard.

7. Clean the Air Filter

The air filter in your vehicle is usually responsible for keeping it clean, and removing the sand and dust particles that enter the car through the vents. It is therefore advisable to clean it regularly to avoid extreme dust accumulation in the filters. If it is too dirty, then it will cease to perform well, thereby reducing road safety.

8. Avoid Overloading the Vehicle

It is essential to understand the load index of your vehicle and the tyres. If you overload the vehicle with heavy items like books, spare car parts, clothing, food and so on, you might be causing damage to your vehicle. Turning a corner and braking with an overload indicates putting too much pressure on it.

Overloading your car will put excessive pressure on the brake and suspension, while the fuel economy will reduce largely. Such a condition naturally damages your car's parts and can ultimately cause a breakdown. Therefore, it is essential to maintain proper load based on the car's capacity.

9. Take the Warning Signs Seriously

If you ignore warning signs and worry about expenses or time consumption, it is better to get rid of such an attitude. Ignoring these signs can cost much more than a simple repair or replacement. For instance, it can cause a car breakdown in a difficult situation.

If you observe strong noise, smell or fumes from your car, it might indicate that some parts are not working properly. The alert lights on the dashboard might also start flickering. Do not waste time visiting a car workshop if you notice such issues. Take advice from experts to avoid a car breakdown.

Therefore, as you can see, a car breakdown can happen in any situation without warning. It will help if you follow the tips mentioned here while staying calm and composed. While there is no guarantee that you can control it, the tips mentioned in this article can help you reduce the possibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

✓ What causes a car to break down?

There can be multiple reasons behind a car breakdown. A common reason is a worn-out battery. It will prevent the car from starting the ignition.

✓ How do you prevent brakes from failing?

The best way to avoid brake failure is smooth and careful driving. If you apply sudden and hard brakes, the brake system will wear out. Moreover, if you avoid car servicing for a long time, you can experience similar issues with the brake.