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Vehicle Breakdown Tips and Tricks

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From Thanksgiving through Christmas and on through the new year, motorists will be taking to the road to visit family and friends in great numbers. Unlike the summer’s heat, your car will encounter some of the coldest conditions of the year, what can put strain on even the best cared for car.

We’ve already looked at how you can care for your car this winter. Now we’ll take a look at what to do when faced with a predicament, such as a flat tire, a broken timing chain, a leaking coolant system or other breakdown problem.

flat tire

Your roadside assistance club can change your flat tire.

1. Get off the road. If you experience any problem requiring you to stop immediately, such as a blown tire or a flashing check engine light, endeavor to pull off the road. If the road has a shoulder, then move your car as far to the right as possible. Otherwise, move your car close to the curb and turn on your emergency flashers.

2. Determine the problem. What exactly happened? Once your car is off the road, put it in park and keep it running, unless you see smoke coming out from underneath the hood. How you respond next will determine the best course of action for fixing the problem. Before you get involved in making a repair or calling for assistance, do the next step.

3. Warn other motorists. You may think that other motorists see you when you’re pulled off on the side of the road, but don’t be too sure of it. Your emergency flashers are just one way to alert other drivers of your breakdown. You should also raise your hood, a clear signal that your car has problems. If you have road flares or reflective triangles, set these in place along the side of the road where your car is broken down. Triangles should be placed 10 feet, 100 feet and 200 feet down the road with each triangle placed further out in the road to warn drivers.

vehicle breakdown road flares

Road flares or reflective triangles are ideal
for a vehicle breakdown.

4. Get help. Regardless of the weather, you and your passengers are safest if you leave the car and move as far away from it as possible. Then, call for assistance, especially if you are not able to handle the problem yourself. If you belong to a roadside assistance club, contact them and explain to them the problem and give them your location, a description of your vehicle, your license plate number, and other required information. If you don’t belong to a club, you will need to call for breakdown service from a towing company. For cars that have been in an accident, the police should be notified.

5. Stay with your vehicle. You may need to get your passengers to a warm and safe place. Once you do that, then return to your vehicle immediately. An abandoned car might be towed and impounded, causing you extra money. Or, it could present a hazard to other motorists. Regardless, staying with your breakdown will ensure that you receive the help you need and as soon as possible.

When Help Arrives

You should be familiar with what your roadside assistance plan covers and does not cover. Some companies provide fuel, will jump a battery, and change tires. Others add in towing service, particularly if there is no other way to fix your car.

Your car may be towed to a service center or to a garage. In some cases you can have it towed further, such as to your preferred garage, but only if you pay extra for it or have a premium plan.

After the Breakdown: Back on the Road

Any kind of vehicle breakdown is a hassle and can pose a danger. The quicker you tend to the problem, the sooner you’ll be back on the road or your car and your family towed to a safe place. Finally, before you take to the road, ensure that your roadside assistance plan is up to date, your spare tire is ready for action, and your emergency kit is in place and replenished.

How to Get Your Car Ready for Winter

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The first very cold weather of the season has arrived and that means winter will soon settle in. Seasonal extremes can take its toll on your car, but if you’re prepared you can avoid the worst that it has to offer. To that end, we’ll take a look at some steps you can take to help get your car ready for winter.

winter plow
Winter is coming. Are you ready?

1. Review your owner’s manual. The first thing you should do is pull out the owner’s manual from your glove box and reacquaint yourself with it. Go to the section for the maintenance schedule and choose the one that mirrors your driving habits. While most people follow the standard level of care, if you drive in the city, take to dusty roads or put a lot of miles on your car each year, then choose the “severe service” schedule. In any case, get those open items done before winter makes its home.

2. Change your oil and oil filter. Chances are your engine oil is due for a change. Today’s cars can usually go upwards of 7,500 miles between changes, but consult the owner’s manual for change interval information. When changing your oil for the winter season, go with 5W30 oil as it is ideal for winter use.

3. Replace your wiper blades and check your washer fluid. Your wiper blades may last as long as a year, but if your summer was particularly hot, they can become brittle and crack. Always change the blades if you notice streaking. Doing this job before winter settles in and again before next summer is a sensible approach. While you are at it, replenish the washer fluid. Choose a solution that has a greater concentration of alcohol to ensure that the line does not freeze during the winter.

4. Check your heating system. Just because the air conditioning was working so well during the summer doesn’t mean that the heating system will perform faithfully in the winter. Take your car on the road, turn the heat on high and determine if it is sufficiently warming the cabin and defrosting the windows. If it isn’t, then you may need to get it serviced. At the very least pop the hood and verify that the hoses are in good condition.

5. Examine the cooling system. If your coolant hasn’t been flushed in a few years, get this job done before winter arrives. Your coolant should be either yellow, blue or green. If it has lost its color, appears rusty or if you notice detritus floating in the fluid, then have it flushed. Verify that the hoses are in good condition and that the clamps are secure too.

6. Consider your tires. If you live in a place where snow is not common, your current tires should be sufficient. Still, you need to examine them to ensure that there is enough tread remaining. Also check your spare tire to determine its condition — you don’t want to have a flat tire on hand when you need a working spare. In places where snow is common, replacing your “all season” tires with snow tires makes sense. In fact, it may be required where you live or at least chains may need to be added. It is always best to put winter (snow) tires on all four wheels.

7. Probe the battery. If your car’s battery dies this winter, you’re not going anywhere. Most car batteries last three years with some models hanging around for five years. No matter, check the connections to ensure that they’re clean and attached. If your battery is pushing its life limit, then replace it. Winter will only cause it to work harder — you might as well invest in a new one. By the way, ensure that your jumper cables are stashed away in your car whether you choose to buy a new car battery or not.

8. Inspect your brakes. Are your brakes ready for winter? New brakes pads and calipers may be in order. If you hear grinding when you apply the brakes, that is a sure sign that brake work is needed. Get this work done before you’re dealing with black ice, snow and frosty road conditions.

Here Comes Winter

What else can you do to prepare for the next winter wallop? If you travel a lot and are prone to head out to remote places, then an emergency kit is a smart idea. Include the usual emergency supplies, but also bring blankets, boots, winter clothing, food, and water. A fully charged cell phone and charger are essentials too, but neither will do you much good if you are out of cell phone range.

Finally, ensure that all lights are working, that you have extra fuses on hand, bring with you duct tape, spare hoses and belts, and inform someone not traveling with you of your route and of your plans. With your car in great shape and you taking the necessary driving precautions, you can handle everything that the season throws your way.