Breaking down sucks. We all know this. Not only is it dangerous to pull to the side of the road in a form of emergency, but it can be quite a blustering experience. If it’s your first time, you’ll probably be at a loss for a minute with what to do. Also, depending on where you break down, you’ll likely approach the situation differently. On a country road? Simply pull over and relax, wondering if the towing vehicle will fit down the small lanes. In a town? It might be more difficult to relax, but you can get out of the intense area quite quickly. On a highway? This requires pinpoint accuracy and steadfast attention.
With this handy guide at your side however, bookmarked on your phone or printed out, you’ll likely have a good method of resolving the issues. Some of these methods are preparative, some are in the moment, but all can help towards getting you out of the situation.
Without further ado:
Preparative
It’s important to arrange breakdown cover that can get you out of a crisis by towing your vehicle. However, there are many other things you can do to ensure you’re prepared if caught off guard. The first is ensuring your phone is charged before each long journey. It’s also important to have the number for your repair service written down somewhere tangible in your car in case you need to use another phone. A reflective jacket and other warm coat can also be important to store in the car, or at least have one available. A car brake bleeding kit, a spare tyre, a warning triangle, and some non-perishable simple food can also work, especially when winter driving. Letting at least one person know that you’re driving a long distance can help you contact them in a crisis.
During
It’s best to have a pre-planned action course set out for when the worst does happen. If you practice this preemptively, you can find that you’ll likely commit it to muscle memory. There’s a reason why emergency workers practice drills to ensure that their responsibilities are well catered for. Ensure you are able to leave your car after pulling over, and that you practice the act of getting people out in time. Move to the safe side of the road and the furthest away from traffic. Set up your warning light and be sure that you’re able to flag down for help if needed. Practice learning what coordinates you need to relay to the person involved with highway control over the public access telephone, and ensure you know how to contact your towing firm within a matter of moments.
Afterwards
Submitting your car for a full checkup is important. Being associated with a garage that can afford you this option is important to get roadworthy. Ensuring you pay off your premiums or pay for the service charge of a removal is also important. Notifying your insurance company of the breakdown could be important if re-registering a car. Also, address your inspection skills. There might have been something that evaded your attention the first time, and it can leave you wishing for more next time around. Readdress your car manual, it might help you spot early warning signs the next time around.
With all this in mind, you can be sure that breaking down is a manageable experience.