Car breakdowns are inevitable. At some point they happen to everyone. Regardless of how well you maintain your car, eventually it will probably break down. A tire could go flat, your battery could die or you could just run out of gas. It pays to be prepared so the experience is not too traumatizing.
1. Sign up for a service to help. There are multiple service programs that you can enroll in to ensure that if you do break down, you have someone to call. Usually, the service company will call a reputable towing service company to tow you to the nearest garage, where the car can be fixed. They'll also send someone to bring you a new battery or change your tire if that's the issue. If you don't sign up for this type of insurance plan, keep the numbers of a few reputable towing services in handy in your car.
2. Have a car emergency kit. You can purchase these kits in a variety of price ranges, but it tends to be cheaper to set up your own. At a minimum, you'll want a flashlight, a cell phone, one to three reflector triangles or flares to notify oncoming traffic, jumper cables and a spare tire, along with the necessary equipment to change a flat tire. Other handy items include duct tape, a first aid kit, tire sealer inflator, trash bags, a poncho, non-perishable snacks, bottled water, rock salt, rags, paper towels and a utility tool, such as a Swiss army knife.
3. Take extra precautions for extreme weather. In hot weather, make sure to have plenty of water and a towel or reflector you can put over the window to minimize the heat. In the winter, make sure to have hats, mittens, blankets, an ice scraper and a collapsible shovel.
4. Know the proper precautions. Knowledge is definitely power, and knowing what to do in the case of a breakdown can help keep you safe. Pull over to the side of the road, put on your flashers and put out reflectors or flares to warn cars. As long as it is safe, stay in your car with the doors and windows locked, especially if you break down at night in a relatively underpopulated area. If you do get out, stay away from the road and don't accept rides from people you don't know.
Following these steps can make dealing with a breakdown easier, although you'll still have to wait for help to arrive and deal with any resulting expense from the breakdown.
Share10 August 2015
When I was little, I'd watch old movies with my grandfather. One of my favorite scenes was when Steve McQueen tried to jump that big fence on his motorcycle in "The Great Escape." After I saw that, I just wanted a motorcycle. I was obsessed with them! My grandpa knew that, and he helped me build one for myself. He took me shopping for all the parts, taught me about the mechanics of it all, and walked me through all the building and repairs. Since then, my love has expanded to all things that run with a motor, including cars. Even though I'm not a professional, I'm quite skilled, and that has proven handy when it comes to my own repairs and the simple enjoyment of riding my bikes. Check out my blog!
