Roadside Emergencies and Breakdowns

If your car has a problem on the road, follow these guidelines:

🛑 Engine Stall or Complete Breakdown

• Signal and steer toward the right shoulder as far as possible.
• Turn on hazard flashers to alert others.
• Coast to a safe place beyond the white line if possible.
• Use flares or reflective triangles 200–300 feet behind vehicle if safe.
• At night, turn on dome light along with hazards.
• Stay in the vehicle with seatbelt on if you’re in a dangerous spot.
• Call for help: roadside assistance or 911 if blocking lanes.

🔧 Flat Tire

• If a blowout occurs: hold the wheel firm, let car slow down, and pull off.
• Don’t brake hard. Replace the tire only if far from traffic.
• Use flares/triangles, and work on the safe side of the vehicle.

🌡️ Overheating

• Turn heater on full blast.
• Exit traffic, stop the car, shut off engine.
• Don’t open radiator cap while hot.
• Wait to cool, then check or add coolant if you know how.

🛑 Brake Failure

• Pump brake pedal rapidly – it might regain pressure.
• If not, downshift to lower gear for engine braking.
• Use parking brake gradually.
• Signal others using hazards and horn.
• Aim for a safe stop – rub curb/guardrail if necessary.

🔄 Steering Failure

• If power steering fails, muscle the wheel to steer off road.
• If full steering is lost (rare), brake gently, use hazards and horn.

⚠️ Accelerator Sticks

• Shift to neutral immediately.
• Do NOT turn off engine right away.
• Try tapping pedal or pulling it up.
• If needed, turn off ignition (don’t lock steering) and coast to stop.

💡 Headlight Failure at Night

• Use hazards immediately.
• Try toggling high/low beams.
• Use road reflectors or lights to guide you off the road safely.

🌧️ Wipers Fail in Rain

• Slow down, stick head out if needed.
• Pull over safely – this could indicate electrical failure.

🔥 Fire

• Smell smoke or see flames? Pull over, turn off engine, get out immediately.
• Move everyone 100+ feet away.
• Call 911.
• Do NOT use water – only use a fire extinguisher if trained.

🌊 Submerged in Water

• Car may float briefly – act fast!
• Unbuckle, roll down windows before power fails.
• Help children first.
• If windows won’t open, break with tool/kick corner.
• Doors may open once pressure equalizes – exit fast and swim.

💥 Skidding

Rear-Wheel Skid (Oversteer)

• Ease off gas.
• Steer in direction of skid (if rear slides right, steer right).

Front-Wheel Skid (Understeer)

• Ease off gas, maybe tap brakes.
• Wait for traction to return.

🛑 Emergency Braking

Without ABS:

• Threshold braking: firm pressure without locking wheels.
• If wheels lock, ease up, then reapply gently.

With ABS:

• Press and hold brake firmly.
• Expect pulsing/vibration – that’s normal. Don’t pump the brakes.

✅ General Rule: Stay calm, stay visible, and protect yourself first. Know your car’s systems and prepare an emergency kit!