Safety comes before the repair
When a car starts to fail, the most important goal is not fixing it. It is getting everyone out of harm’s way. Most roadside injuries involve passing traffic rather than the original problem, so the sequence below puts position and visibility first and diagnosis last.
Recognize the early signs
Few failures are completely without warning. A sudden loss of power, a steering wheel that feels heavy, a new grinding or knocking sound, a smell of burning, or a dashboard that lights up all mean the car is asking you to stop soon. Different dashboard warning lights carry different urgency, and red lights generally mean stop as soon as it is safe. An engine overheating alert or an oil pressure warning is a clear reason not to keep driving, since continuing can turn a fixable problem into a very expensive one.
If the car is still moving, do not brake hard or swerve. Take your foot off the accelerator, turn on your hazard lights, and look for a safe place to stop.
Step 1: Get off the road if you can
Aim for the best spot you can reach, not just the nearest one. In order of preference, that usually means:
- A parking lot, side street or wide shoulder well away from the traffic lane.
- A straight stretch where other drivers can see you from a distance.
- Level ground, so the car is less likely to roll.
Avoid stopping on a bend, just over the crest of a hill or anywhere visibility is poor. If the engine has cut out, the steering and brakes may feel much heavier, because power assistance often depends on the engine running. Steer firmly and let the car slow gradually. Coasting to a stop is usually safer than trying to restart while moving.
Step 2: Make yourself visible
Switch on the hazard lights as soon as you realize there is a problem and leave them on. At night or in poor weather, keep the interior light and headlights on if the battery allows. If you carry a reflective triangle or flares, place them a good distance behind the car, in line with traffic, but only if you can do that without stepping into the road. The local rules on where to place warning devices differ, so check what applies where you live.
On a fast road, the safest place may be away from the car altogether, which is covered in detail in the article on highway breakdown situations.
Step 3: Decide whether to stay in or get out
This depends on where you are. On a quiet side road with space to pull well clear, staying inside with the seat belt on and the doors locked can be reasonable. If the car is close to moving traffic, it is often safer to leave through the side farthest from the road and wait behind a barrier or well off the pavement. If there is any smoke, fire or a strong fuel smell, get everyone out and well away at once, and do not go back for belongings.
Step 4: Work out what kind of problem it is
Once you are safe, a quick look can help you describe the problem to whoever helps you. Notice:
- Whether the engine cranks but will not start, or does nothing at all. The article on why a car will not start covers the common causes.
- Whether any warning lights, smells or noises came first.
- Whether the fuel level is low, which is more common than people like to admit.
- Whether a tire has gone flat. If so, changing a flat is something many drivers can do, but not on a narrow shoulder or beside fast traffic.
- Whether a dead battery is the likely cause, in which case a jump start may work if you have the right equipment and know the steps.
Do not open the hood of an overheated engine, since the cooling system can be under pressure and hot enough to cause burns. Wait until it has cooled and, if in doubt, leave it to a professional.
Step 5: Decide who to call
You generally have a few options:
- Roadside assistance through a membership, an insurance policy, a car maker’s program or a credit card, if you have one. Have your policy number and the car’s details ready.
- A local towing company, particularly if you have no cover. It helps to ask a few questions about towing before agreeing.
- Emergency services, if anyone is hurt, the car is a hazard to traffic, or you feel unsafe.
- A friend or family member, but only if the location is truly safe for them to stop.
Give the operator your exact location. Road names, mile markers, exit numbers, nearby landmarks or the location feature on your phone all help. Say whether you are in a traffic lane, on the shoulder or off the road, and how many people are with you.
Step 6: Wait safely
Waiting is often the longest part. Stay where you decided was safest, keep the hazard lights on and keep your phone charged if you can. Be cautious with strangers who offer help or a tow that you did not request. Unsolicited tow operators can be a problem in some areas, so confirm who is arriving and the company name before you hand over your keys. When a tow truck arrives, check that its details match what you were told on the phone.
Special situations
Weather changes the picture. In winter driving conditions, a breakdown can quickly become a cold-exposure problem if the engine cannot run for heat, so keep warm clothes and a blanket in the car. In very hot weather, heat and dehydration matter, so having water on hand is sensible. Do not try to cross flooded roads in an attempt to reach help; a stalled car in rising water is a serious risk, and leaving the vehicle may be the better choice.
An electric car that runs out of charge presents similar issues to a gas car out of fuel, with the added point that it may need a flatbed tow. Planning around electric range and checking the manual for towing instructions can save trouble.
After the immediate problem is solved
Keep any paperwork from the tow or repair. Ask for a written explanation of what failed, and note whether the repair is covered by a warranty or a service contract. If the failure was part of a pattern, such as repeated battery trouble, it may be a sign that the car needs a more thorough check. Preparing in advance with a sensible emergency kit and knowing how your cover works makes the next incident less stressful.
Rules, cover and costs vary by country, state and provider, so use this as general guidance and check local authority advice for your area.