Getaways, day trips and vacations are some of the activities that people tend to do during the summer months. As such, more driving equates to higher chances of experiencing a breakdown. If your car were to break down right now, would you know what to do? Some basic knowledge and a bit of preparation can help you in the event that your car breaks down. In this post we take a look at some steps to take if you find yourself in this situation.
1) Emergency Kit
Even if you spend the time and money to ensure that your vehicle is properly maintained, breakdowns could still occur. That is why every vehicle owner should keep an emergency toolkit in their trunk. Some Of the things you can put in the kit, include:
- Flares
- Jumper cables
- Flashlight
- First aid kit
- Portable battery
- Maps
- Nonperishable food
- Emergency blankets
- Basic repair tools
2) Locate A Safe Place To Park
Once you notice that you’re vehicle is acting funny, the first thing you need to do is to find a safe place to park. In most cases, this entails somewhere to the right- hand side of your lane. In fact, experts proclaim that you should only park to the left-hand side of your lane in extreme situations where you have no other alternative. It’s also recommended that you avoid places where there’s a curve.
3) Alert Other Drivers
Once you park your vehicle, you need to let other drivers know that your vehicle is malfunctioning. This will help to ensure that they remain cautious when it comes to driving towards you. However, since other vehicles will be traveling at a high rate of speed, they need to be able to spot your car from a distance so that they can make the necessary adjustments in time. Therefore, ensure that you:
- Activate emergency flashers.
- Raise vehicle’s hood.
- Use flares to direct traffic away from the vehicle.
4) Stay Inside The Car
If your vehicle breaks down on a busy road or the highway, it’s very important that you remain in the vehicle. As anxiety-inducing as a car breakdown can be, you’re much safer in your vehicle than trying to cross a busy intersection by foot. In addition to that, ensure that your hazard lights are turned on as well as your interior lights.
5) If you Notice Smoke Get Out
Chances are that, remaining in your vehicle is your best bet when it comes to your safety in the midst of a breakdown. However, if you notice smoke, you may actually put yourself in more danger by remaining in your vehicle. This is because smoke indicates that the car has the potential to become engulfed in flames. Therefore, evaluate the condition of your car, to determine that you are in fact safe.
6) Contact The Right People for Roadside Assistance in Tyler TX
One of the biggest mistakes some drivers make is that they try to flag down other drivers for assistance. Most experts agree that while you should call for help, you shouldn’t flag down other motorists. Instead, contact your insurance provider to determine if you have emergency roadside assistance. If you do, by contacting a roadside assistance service, they can help you when it comes to moving your vehicle, free of charge. However, in the event that you lack roadside assistance, you should call a tow truck company. Hi-Way Towing is here for all your emergency roadside service in Chandler TX or anywhere else in East Texas!