What to do if your car breaks down on a busy highway?

While you are driving the car and enjoying the journey with your family, all of a sudden the car begins sputtering, and the dashboard signals the warning. It binds  you to stop the car and you are surprised by the situation. Horns blare, cars whining make you nervous, and you are absolutely blank for the time being. Many car drivers have been facing this problem in the middle of the road. This high-pressure situation can be dealt with by taking many measures.

Car breakdown is one of the most severe problems with a car. It is a nightmare for a car driver, and the situation gets even worse in a high-traffic area. As the safety of the car passengers is directly related to it, you should take appropriate decisions according to it. 

Whether you are a new driver or an experienced one, you have to handle this mishap professionally. This article deals with the steps a car rider or driver should take to get rid of the situation as soon as possible. At the end of the write-up, you will get to know which essential things to do if you come across this incident in the future.

What is Roadside Assistance Cover (RCA)?

Roadside Assistance (RSA) coverage provides much-needed assistance to automobile owners in case the  vehicle breaks down or suffers a technical malfunction on the road or at home. Being stranded in an unknown location with no access to a mechanic can be quite irritating. This is where the RSA cover can help.

Car insurance companies allow you to report an emergency event via SMS or phone call. Once the insurer is contacted, a mechanic/patrol vehicle will be dispatched to the vehicle's location as soon as possible . The vehicle will receive the necessary service before being restarted or transported to the nearest garage for repair.

Some automobile insurance providers include this coverage as part of a comprehensive car insurance policy. Others provide it as an optional add-on insurance coverage that the automobile owner can choose. 

Things to Do If Your Car Breaks Down in the Middle of the Highway:

If you have gone through this situation, you know very well how difficult it is. However, some effective steps are able to get car riders like you out of this situation. Look at the ten must-do things to do if your car breaks down.

1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation:

Like any other crisis moment here, staying calm is significant and helps you to make the correct decision. If you hold your nerve correctly, your mind, most of the time, does follow the right procedure. Taking deep breaths will undoubtedly help you to think properly. You may make decisions rapidly, which can make the situation worse if you are hyper. Thereafter, you are able to make the decisions after accessing the scenario.

2. Turn the Emergency Lights On:

As per the NMA (National Motorists Association), turning on the emergency lights is the first doable act the car rider should do after a car breaks down. By using this light, the car driver signals the other car riders and people that it is an emergency situation. The car drivers alert their car after seeing this and will slow the car eventually. You must put on the emergency light till the problem is resolved.

3. Get Off the Road:

Don’t make the mistake of parking the car in the middle of the road because it increases the chance of an accident. You should park the four-wheeler in a safe spot by using the left signal. The car drivers always look for the emergency lane after the breakdown. Getting off the road not only eradicates other issues but also enables you to think to resolve the problem.

4. Put Emergency Brake:

If you are confused about whether you should put an emergency brake on or not, it’s a big problem. You should be aware of the fact that an emergency brake on the wheels is mandatory for a breakdown situation. There are sloppy roads in India, especially in hilly areas. That’s why experts recommend putting the emergency brake on to avoid risks, accidents and unnecessary consequences. 

5. Stay in Your Four-Wheeler If Possible:

After parking the car, the riders should stay in their car as much as possible. On busy roads, there are a lot of vehicles, and any of those can hit you. This can escalate another trouble for you along with other car passengers. The surroundings of the car must be clear. While you stand the car on the right side, get through the passenger door. However, vacate the car immediately if you feel the car catches fire.

6. Stay Visible:

In the car breakdown occurrence, you have to make such an arrangement that other drivers can understand that someone is in the car. You can do these things, such as hanging a cloth or paper and rolling down the windows.

7. Avoid Standing Behind or in Front of Your Vehicle:

Although you park on the left side of the road, you still need to be entirely safe. If you stand the car just behind or in front of another vehicle, you can hit those vehicles. On the other hand, there is the possibility that another car will also do the same. Hence, standing the car at a precise distance from another vehicle.

8. Try to Fix It By Yourself (If Possible):

Being a car driver, you should be capable of knowing how to fix it. If you are an old bird or have relevant experience of changing flat tyres, you can do it very easily. This is a basic thing a car rider must know because only some places a garage is located. On the contrary, if this is the first time you come across this situation, it is better to wait for the expert.

9. Additional Safety Arrangement:

As an additional safety feature, 10-12 feet behind the four-wheeler, the car riders should put a reflective warning triangle. By seeing this, the upcoming traffic becomes alert, stops their vehicle, and turns them the other way around. The car rider should be mindful of the ongoing traffic. This additional safety feature works as a shield for the breakdown car.

10. Roadside assistance:

In this step, you must contact the manufacturing company’s service center or local garage. Seeking help is the last option to start the car again. Drivers can dial the helpline number to get assistance. The mechanic will reach the destination after you share the car’s location and number. Nowadays, the roadside assistance app helps you to book it quickly.

How to Prevent a Car Breakdown?

Now it’s time to discuss the precautionary measures that every car rider should take to prevent the car breakdown. However, it’s a sudden occurrence, but you can reduce the chance by doing the following things:.

• Carry Emergency Kits: All the emergency kits, such as a screwdriver, wrenches and first aid box, are the first and foremost things car drivers should carry. It is a preliminary need one should know to carry.
• Check the Car Engine Oil: The car drivers have to change the car engine oil periodically. If the engine oil gets below the minimum level, a warning will be shown. You should check it properly to reduce this kind of incident.
• Use Well-Conditioned Battery: All car batteries have a self life. While the car is struggling to start, you should check the batteries in the garage. Charge or replace the car batteries if needed.
• Clean the Air Filter: Failing to clean the air filters at regular intervals can increase the chance of breakdown. As many dust particles and sand block the air filter, you should clean or replace it.
• Avoid Overloading the Car: Overloading in the four-wheeler has a severe effect on brakes, suspension, tyres and other spare parts. This serious issue can damage the car spares and can be the cause of a breakdown.
• Do Regular Car Servicing: Many car owners neglect the matter of car servicing, which impacts the car ultimately. An issue where you can’t detect a mechanic spot correctly. That’s why car servicing is significant to eliminate issues like breakdowns.
• Don’t Drive On Bad-Conditioned Roads: While you are driving, roads consist of potholes time and again, which affect the car. Using the brakes and acceleration frequently can be the reason for this incident.
• Pay Attention to Warning Signs: In the modern age, the car is manufactured with modern technology, so it gives a warning if there is a problem in the car. You can’t overlook those warnings and drive continuously. By doing so, you enhance the chance of a car breakdown.

Take Away

Facing a situation like a car breakdown on a busy highway is indeed a daunting experience. Many drivers have a hard time if they find themselves in that situation. However, staying calm, staying safe and taking some other steps can resolve the problem, and you can take a sigh of relief. Prevention is better than cure, and this applies here too. Preventive actions can save you from falling into this situation. If you implement these, you can overcome the incident.

FAQs

Q. What is the first thing I should do if my car breaks down in the middle of the road?

A: At first, you should put the emergency light on and park the car in a safer position. It reduces the chance of accidents.

Q. What should I do to avoid this incident of car breakdown?

A: You must do certain things, such as keep emergency kits, service the car, check the battery, avoid overloading, and maintain proper car condition. These precautions are musts to reduce this risk.

Q. Do I put an emergency brake on if the car breaks down?

A: Yes, you have to put the emergency brake on the wheels. There are so many sloppy roads in India; to counter this problem, you must put an emergency brake.

Q. What is the distance for putting the triangle when my car breaks down?

A: To grab the attention of traffic, the car rider must use a triangle. The distance should be 10–12 feet behind the four-wheeler.

Q. What should I do to have the road assistance?

A: You must use the car manufacturer’s mobile app or dial the service center phone number to get road assistance. Additionally, you can get in touch with the local garage too.