Things Not To Do When Your Car Breaks Down
For safety, there are several things you should not do including:
- Changing a tire that is on the side of traffic.
- Checking for damage on a busy highway.
- Standing on the shoulder of the road it’s safer to remain buckled in your car unless there is smoke or flames.
Watch the video below to learn more about how you can stay safe if your car breaks down.
Analyze And Diagnose The Situation
To actually diagnose the problem, you will need to use your senses. A flat tire is something that is going to be heard and felt. If you are going down the road and the tire goes flat, it will make the car harder to steer. You will also hear a flopping noise or roar.
Any kind of steam or smoke coming from the front of the car, you will need to rely on your nose at first. If the smell is sweet, look at your dash for an engine light, or at your temperature gauge. That sweet smell is possibly indicating a cooling system failure, so the engine could be overheating.
If you smell rotten eggs, it is possible that your car battery that has burst or burned out. Any smell that resembles a camp fire, burning wood or plastic, you possibly have a fire. The smell could be gasoline, if so, you have something leaking. For all gasoline smells and or possible fire smells, get away from the vehicle.
An oil leak can also cause smoke. If oil leaks down onto the exhaust system, you will be able to smell it as well as see smoke. Burnt oil smells like kind of has an acid smell, perhaps bitter. Smoke from oil is highly dangerous. Oil vapor is highly flammable and can even explode. If you think the smoke is from oil, get away from the vehicle.
Who Pays For Rental Car Repairs
If repairs are necessary due to a mechanical defect, the rental company should cover the costs.
Sometimes there are ambiguous situations where its not clear if the issue is the fault of the renter or due to a commonplace mechanical issue. Did the battery die because it was old or because you left a light on in the car? Did a tire blow out because it was worn or because you ran over some glass? If it is covered by the manufacturers warranty, the rental company will take responsibility.
But be aware that you could be on the hook for some costs. Rental agreements state that damage caused by the renter is the responsibility of the renter. If you have damage and collision coverage from the rental company or an independent insurance company like Sure, youll be covered. Otherwise, youll have to file a claim with your insurance or pay out of pocket.
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Servicing Your Car During The Coronavirus Crisis
Many modern cars will have a service light or service warning that illuminates on the dash to alert you when it requires attention. If you own an older car, its servicing schedule should be detailed in the handbook.
While the coronavirus crisis has resulted in many showrooms either closing or moving online. Most states have allowed auto repair shops to remain open. In theory, that means you can continue to get your car serviced as normal. However, it is worth contacting the garage or repair shop beforehand to ensure its open and what social distancing measures it has in place. Alternatively, you might decide to put off having your car serviced while things are so uncertain. If youre concerned that doing this might affect the cars warranty, contact your dealer or the manufacturer itself for information on any changes it has put in place to accommodate this.
Prepping For Car Breakdowns
Despite vehicle advances, it’s likely youll have a car breakdown at some point, such as a blown tire from a nail or roadway debris. Stay safe by being prepared for such emergencies. Kits are inexpensive and may be bought at discount or drug stores.
Consider keeping the following items in your car:
- Cell phone with charger
- Emergency service info, such as phone numbers
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Drinking water and preserved food
- Signal flag or reflective vest or scarf
- Windshield-washer fluid and wiping cloth
- Ice scraper, snow brush, snow shovel and cat litter, in lieu of sand, where needed
- A chemical heat source such as hand warmers
- Candles and waterproof matches
- Jack and a flat board for soft surfaces
- Lug wrench for changing flats
- Toolkit with screwdriver, pliers, duct tape and adjustable wrench
- Extra fuses and fan/alternator belt
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Can You Push An Electric Car If It Breaks Down
In a car that breaks down, you can push it, but you must first put it in neutral or another similar setting before doing so. When an electric vehicle does not come with a neutral engine, pushing can have a negative impact on the motor. Electric vehicles are distinct from traditional vehicles in a variety of ways.
Electric cars are exempt from the requirement of a transmission because they do not have one. The same can be said about pushing an electric car as it is about pushing a gas engine car that is neutral. To shift the car out of park, lightly press down on the first click, hold for one second, and then press the first click again. When you press up lightly with your first click, the car will begin to spin neutral press down again for one second to activate the neutral mode. The Chevy Bolt can shift to neutral for a short period of time before the parking brake is applied. Its possible to tow your EV if you need to get a little more done. More information about that can be found HERE.
When A Highway Breakdown Happens To You
Having the optimal reaction to a breakdown on a busy road can keep you safe, reduce inconvenience to other motorists and speed up the process of getting assistance. If your car has an obvious problem, look for an emergency lane to pull into so you can stop more safely. If theres no alternative, pull over onto the hard shoulder, parking as far to the left as safely possible.
If your car has slowed well below the speed of other traffic, turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers. When stopped, put the parking brake on and point your wheels away from the road so your car wont roll into traffic if its struck from behind. In poor light, leave your headlights on to increase visibility.
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What To Do When Your Car Breaks Down On The Highway
Breaking down on the highway is a lot more dangerous than breaking down in a quiet suburban side street. If your car conks out while youre on the 401 Trans-Canada , follow these extra steps to keep you and other drivers safe.
Stop as safely as possible
Stopping on a busy highway isnt easy, especially when your car is struggling or completely unresponsive. Here are some pointers to help you come to a safer stop.
- Signal early and stop gradually
- Avoid suddenly crossing multiple lanes
- Once stopped, engage your parking brake and turn your wheels away from oncoming traffic
- Keep your hazard lights on
Don’t be afraid to call 911
Even if someone isnt injured as a result of the breakdown, its still a good idea to call 911 and notify them that your vehicle has broken down on the highwayespecially if its in a hazardous position. Emergency services can tell you what to do until help arrives.
Avoid exiting your vehicle unless it’s absolutely necessary
Its dangerous to exit your vehicle into oncoming traffic. Especially when your car breaks down on the highway. Generally, its better to wait for police or roadside assistance to arrive as they can safely block and redirect traffic around your car.
That said, if you find yourself in a breakdown situation where its absolutely necessary to get out of your vehicle, be sure to keep the following tips in mind.
Think twice before changing a flat tire
Consider roadside assistance BEFORE you need it
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Why Not Using Your Car Can Be A Bad Thing
You might assume that not using a car is good for it. After all, theres no wear and tear, which in turn must surely reduce the chances of things going wrong. Truth is, however, that cars are built to be drivenand when theyre not, problems can arise.
For example, brake discs can begin to corrode, and will eventually seize tires lose pressure which can lead to flat spots and batteries can drain, which can, in turn, have an impact on a cars many and varied electronic systems. By tending to issues such as these, you can save yourself a headache further down the line.
In an ideal situation, a car thats not being used should be stored in a dry garage and attached to a trickle charger that keeps its battery in prime condition. The reality for many people, however, is that this simply isnt possible. Thats not to say there arent still steps you should take to keep your car functioning.
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Take Action Early When Possible
The best advice we can give for dealing with what to do when your car breaks down is to take action before a full breakdown happens. That means taking action if your car starts behaving strangely in any way making unexpected noises, lurching, not driving normally, or otherwise working abnormally. Ignoring these issues can lead to a sudden breakdown, and youll wish that you had taken action sooner. This also makes financial sense, as continuing to drive your vehicle when its experiencing mechanical issues can make those issues worse, resulting in even more damage and repair costs.
Protect Yourself From The Cost And Inconvenience Of Unexpected Breakdowns
Dealing with a sudden breakdown isnt just costlyits inconvenient. To help you stay on the road while your cars getting fixed , every GuardTree used car warranty includes roadside assistance benefits.
As a GuardTree subscriber, youre eligible to make claims for roadside assistance any time your car breaks down24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We pay up to $175 per event for:
- Concierge service
GuardTree subscriptions also include:
- Trip interruption benefits. If a breakdown occurs more than 150 kilometers from your residence and your vehicle requires overnight repairs, we will reimburse up to $150 per day for accommodation and meal expenses.
- Replacement car rental. We will reimburse up to $50 per day for car rental if the time of the required repairs to your vehicle exceeds 8 hours.
Please note: If your vehicle is covered by a manufacturers roadside assistance plan, you will not be eligible to make a claim for roadside assistance with GuardTree until that manufacturers plan has expired by time or distance.
If youre interested in a comprehensive extended warranty that you can cancel at any time, see whats covered and use our price calculator to decide if a GuardTree extended car warranty is right for you.
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How Often Does An Electric Car Break Down
You will not be able to drive your car at its peak performance in ten years if you use one EV battery at the same time. If the range of your electric car decreases by 2040%, you will lose 20% of your range.
Electric vehicles are frequently over-charged in the United Kingdom, resulting in a large number of breakdowns. The vast majority of EV owners were incorrect in assuming that flat batteries occur on a regular basis. Battery failures accounted for less than 4% of all AA%27s 13,000 EV breakdowns attended. One of the most common reasons for an EV callout is a tire problem or a 12-volt battery problem. According to a survey by the AA, roughly one-quarter of people believe electric vehicles can travel at least 200 miles. Six percent of respondents to a survey believed that EV ranges between 60 and 100 miles when fully charged. In a separate study conducted by Ford, attitudes toward the 2030 ban on new gasoline and diesel vehicles were examined.
Turn On Your Hazard Lights
You should turn on your hazard lights when your car is stationary on a highway outside of a well-lit urban area to ensure that you are visible to any oncoming vehicle. Turn on your hazard lights right away once your car is off the road avoid the risk of getting hit by other motorists.
Some cars have flares in their emergency kit, so you can use them to alert others about your position as well. Read the flares instructions carefully to learn how to light them if you have not used them before. You generally have to remove the cap and strike the end of the flare against it, just like you would light a matchstick. Make sure that you hold it carefully, so the lit end is not pointed at you.
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What Kind Of Breakdown Cover Do I Have
Lots of the people who contact me about car breakdown claims are confused about the type of cover they had signed up for.
At first glance, these policies may all seem alike, but in reality, that is rarely the case.
At its most basic, breakdown cover is designed to help you get your vehicle repaired at the roadside or, if necessary, have it taken to a garage. The type of cover thats suitable for you depends on a range of factors, such as whether you travel long distances or just use your car to pop to the shops.
You can add on extras to these policies if the cover youve purchased doesnt include every eventuality you want.
Rest Relax And Refuel
Once at the repair facility, your cars mechanical issue can be properly diagnosed. Hopefully, its a problem that can be fixed in just a few hours. Youre likely to be stressed and drained, so use the time to relax physically and mentally. Get a full meal, hydrate , find a local attraction or explore your new surroundings. All these steps will take your mind off of the stressful event that just transpired and put you in a better mindset to get back on the road.
If the repair is going to take one or more days to complete, youll have some decisions to make. You can rent a hotel room and wait for your car to be ready. If you prefer to get back on your road trip right away, renting a car is your best option. Many insurance plans will cover car rental if your vehicle is out of commission due to a mechanical issue.
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Car Breakdowns What Can Go Wrong
Complaints tend to fall into two categories: things that arent covered under the insurance policy and issues arising from the recovery itself.
If you feel you were misled when you took out breakdown cover, you can make a complaint about mis-selling. It pays to do a bit of research before you complain. For example, insurance contracts tend to be lengthy and cover all kinds of scenarios, but the business should let you know what the key facts are in a policy.
Compensation arising from the vehicle breakdown can sometimes be harder to quantify, but the implications are often much more serious. On one level, you can seek compensation as a result of the business failing to meet its obligations to you in the contract, like the time you are left waiting for assistance, for example.
However, theres a wider issue here too. If you feel you are in a dangerous or unsafe situation, then the business should do all it can to get assistance to you as a priority. If it has failed to do so, you can ask it to address both this and the impact the delay has had on you.
What To Do If Your Car Breaks Down At Night
Having your car break down under any circumstances is never a pleasant experience. If you are traveling at night time, especially alone, the last thing you want to deal with is your car breaking down.
You can ask a bystander for assistance or walk to the nearest auto-repair shop yourself on a busy highway or inside the citys limits. But an unlit country road on an Alberta highway can be your worst nightmare as there are long stretches of road with no houses or people to ask for help.
The dangers of being stuck in the middle of nowhere add stress to the situation so to ensure the safety of your vehicle and yourself, contact the nearest roadside assistance service for help. Having your car breaking down on a deserted road can be scary for anyone, especially for new drivers and being alone can make it seem even more stressful.
In case you find yourself in such an unfortunate situation, weve provided some handy tips for you to follow and ensure your safety.
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Steer Clear Of Traffic
As soon as its safe to do so, get yourself clear of other vehicles. Move over to the shoulder if there is one, or take an exit if your car is functioning enough to get that far. The key is to get your vehicle out of the flow of traffic before it stops functioning completely.
Another reminder dont simply swing your steering wheel to the side to escape traffic as soon as possible. Make sure youre always aware of your surroundings and what other vehicles are around you.
