How to Prevent A Car Break Down

You know how it goes. You have an important appointment you must not be late for or you’re on your way to a vacation, and your car starts making a noise it doesn’t normally make, or a light on your dashboard starts flashing! You try not to panic but before you know it your car breaks down and you’re at the side of the road, not knowing what to do. You wonder how it even happened in the first place!

How Does A Car Break Down?

There are many reasons why cars break down. A flat or faulty battery is the number one reason why cars break down, followed by flat tires, and then an overheated engine. These are all issues that can be avoided with good car maintenance and regular checks of your vehicle before embarking on journeys.

What to Do if Your Car Breaks Down

You may look at others on the side of the highway with a car break down and wonder if you would know what to do if your car breaks down. Fortunately, we have tips for you to ensure you know what to do. If your car breaks down on a highway you should:

• Ensure that the driver immediately puts the hazard/emergency lights on and keeps them on until someone arrives to assist you. This helps other motorists to know that there is something wrong.
• Head towards the right shoulder of the road and try to get as far away from moving traffic as possible to pull over in a safe, flat location. If your car breaks down you should not stay sitting in a lane with fast-moving traffic.
• Call a mechanic or roadside assistance. Our roadside assistance is available 24/7 365 days a year.
• Only get out of the car if you are in a safe place. If you are on the right-hand side of the road, get out through the passenger door.
• If safe to do so, place triangles with reflectors behind your car. The first warning triangle should be put 10 feet directly behind your car on the side closest to the road.

Prevent A Break Down

There are precautions that you can take to prevent a breakdown. Read our handy tips so you don’t get stuck at the side of the highway again!

Have a regular service. You might think that you’re saving money at the time, but by not having a service regularly, it will actually cost a lot more in the long run. A service consists of making sure the main components (the engine and engine oil, steering, suspension, battery, brakes, tires, and lights) are working correctly and any small issues can be picked up before they become major, more expensive problems. The manufacturer’s guidelines will say how often your vehicle should be serviced.

Don’t ignore warning signs. A vehicle is very good at letting you know if something is not right. Unusual noises and lights lit up on the dashboard are very good signs that you should get your car checked over before your car breaks down.

Drive appropriately. The way you drive your vehicle has an effect on its health. Hard braking, overloading, and driving at high speeds over potholes and bumps all take a toll on the essential parts of a vehicle and lead to problems.

Check your tires. Ensure that your tires have the correct tire pressure. Over-inflated or under-inflated tires are more likely to receive a puncture, not what you want when driving along the highway. Driving appropriately will also prevent tire wear, another cause of punctures.

Check your battery. Batteries generally have a lifespan of 3-5 years. After this time, it is recommended to regularly check your battery so that it doesn’t go flat while driving. Periodically look at your battery to check for bulges, cracks, or any other visible damage.

If My Car Breaks Down Will My Insurance Cover It?

No matter the precautionary steps you take to prevent a break down, there are always things out of your control that can lead to a break down. Your best option is to have auto insurance that includes roadside assistance. The roadside assistance offered at Insureonthespot.com can support you with towing, mechanical first aid, tire, battery, delivery or lockout services.

With this you know you always have help if you find yourself stuck at the side of the road. Our auto insurance includes 24/7 roadside assistance and we offer the lowest rates in Chicagoland so you’re sure to find something that suits your budget. Contact us today to receive a free quote for auto insurance.