When you’re behind the wheel and your car breaks down, it can be alarming. However, the most important thing you can do in a situation like this is to stay calm. From there, you’ll have a few steps you need to take, as we’ll highlight below.
Pull Over To the Side of the Road
The first sign of trouble on the road might have you wishing you could just find a new Chevrolet for sale. You can think about replacing your car later, though. First, you need to get your broken-down vehicle as far out of the road as you can, if possible. After you pull over, exit your car through the passenger door to avoid messing up the flow of traffic on the road.
Then, stand as far from your vehicle as you can to ensure your safety.
Use Your Emergency Kit
As soon as you get a new car, you should create an emergency kit and add it to your trunk. It should include your car’s manual, jumper cables, a tire pressure gauge, reflectors or flares, coolant, a fire extinguisher, and a range of other emergency items. It’s also a good idea to keep food, water, extra blankets, extra medication, and a toolkit in the trunk.
When you pull over to the side of the road, set up the flares to signal other drivers that there’s a stopped car ahead.
Contact Someone For Help
Once you’ve alerted other drivers to your stalled car and gotten yourself a safe distance from the road, you need to call for help. If you have a roadside assistance program, call them first. If you don’t and are blocking traffic, call 911 to ask for assistance from police or fire units.
It is also a good idea to contact your spouse or another family member or friend to let them know about the situation, especially since you will likely need a ride home.
Finally, call a tow truck to help you get your car home or to an auto body shop. Keep in mind that you should avoid leaving your car on the side of the road, if possible. If you need to get your kids home or if the weather is too inclement to have to wait for a tow truck, call one as soon as you can.
Typically, you’ll have about 24 hours to get your car before local authorities take it to the impound lot.
Take Your Car To an Auto Body Shop
Ideally, you already have an auto body shop that you use for situations such as this. If you have a manufacturer’s or dealership’s warranty, then you will probably need to use a shop specified in your warranty information. If you don’t need to go to their shop, you’ll have some options. Tell a few specific shops what the problem is and ask for quotes to see which one is going to give you the best service for your money.
A Final Word
If your car breaks down, there are various steps you can take that will help keep you safe
