When a vehicle breaks down, the situation can be stressful as well as dangerous for the driver and any other passengers, especially on high speed roads. When your car begins to show signs of failure, it is time to take steps to keep you and additional passengers out of danger and help make the situation a little less stressful. Cheap Towing will share each step you can take to better help prepare for an unexpected break down and how you can stay safe.
How to Prepare to Receive Help After a Car Breakdown
Step 1. Get to a safe place. If you’re able to detect a mechanical failure, turn on your emergency lights. Before you lose momentum, attempt to get your vehicle off the road and to a safe place. This may be off to the right side of the road or perhaps you might be able to pull off the road completely or even make it to a parking lot. Some worst case scenarios will be breaking down in the middle of the road and during traffic hours. If you find yourself in this situation, stay in your vehicle and turn on your emergency lights. If there is a long and safe pause in traffic, get out of the vehicle and off the road while you wait for immediate help.
Step 2. Secure your vehicle. If you were able to get your vehicle into a safe place, put your safety breaks on and turn your wheel towards traffic. This will help keep the vehicle in position. Make sure you have your emergency lights turned on if they are not on already. If you have other means of alerting other drivers such as road flares or caution cones, set them up behind the vehicle. This provides some notice that a vehicle is on the side of the road. If it is late and dark outside, turn on the interior lights of the cab to help light up your vehicle.
Step 3. Assess the cause. There are a number of reasons why a vehicle may have broken down. It may be due to a flat tire, you ran out of fuel, or there is a deeper mechanical problem. Depending on the cause will determine your next course of action. You may need roadside assistance or towing service. If you’re familiar with your vehicle, are aware of certain mechanical problems, and if it can be corrected with roadside assistance service, then you will need to request roadside assistance. If you know that your vehicle may require more than basic repairs or fluids, then you will require a towing service. If you’re not sure of the cause and there is no obvious reasons as to why your vehicle broke down, ask for roadside assistance and go from there.
Step 4. Determine your location. Once you’ve determined you will require assistance either roadside assistance or towing, you will need to determine where you are to provide information about your location. Look for exit signs, freeway markers, or street signs to provide accurate information of your location. If you have broken down during night time hours, make sure to have lights on so the provider can find you better.
Towing & Roadside Assistance Services in Reseda, Woodland Hills, North Hills & Greater Los Angeles, California
Make sure to be prepared and have a roadside assistance and towing service provider saved in your phone so you know who to call. If you find you need roadside assistance or towing services, contact Cheap Towing today!
