We’ve all been stranded by some kind of car breakdown during our daily travels. Whether it’s a freeway flat tire blowout…or an overheated radiator on some back road. Regardless of your vehicle’s age…you’re always at risk for some kind of roadside emergency.
Since most of us are not auto mechanics…some things that can cause your car to break down… you simply can’t fix yourself. But several of the most common problems that lead to a breakdown…you CAN actually handle yourself…even if you’ve never tinkered with a car in your entire life. Check out the infographic below which serves as a handy cheat sheet you can use to learn how to fix some common car problems that might occur while you’re driving. You might even think about printing it out and taking it with you, or saving it to your phone, so you have it if you need it!
Step #1: Build Yourself an Emergency Kit
Do yourself a favor and do THIS before you even get in the car for your next trip tothe grocery store…let alone, your next vacation roadtrip. Whether your car is 9 days old or 9 years old…a breakdown can happen at ANY moment. Knowing how to handle that minor catastrophe and get your car back on the road…BEFORE it happens…is the biggest peace of mind gift that you can give yourself.
The exact contents of your specific emergency kit may be a matter of preference and your general mechanical aptitude…but a little common sense and 2 or 3 different opinions as to what it contains can go a long way to saving you some time and heartache. Here are two articles we’ve posted previously on constructing your own vehicle emergency kit.
Here are 3 of the top 5 most likely roadside emergency scenarios you might encounter:
- Engine Overheated – Immediately turn OFF the engine and pop the hood…letting any smoke/steam clear to better assess your situation.
- Flat Tire – Step #1: Turn the engine OFF, engage the hand/parking brake and turn ON the emergency flasher lights.
- Battery Weak or Dead – Turn the engine OFF (including any electronic devices) and secure a 2nd vehicle with a good battery to supply the jump.
Like to see all steps (plus scenario 4 & 5) in more graphic detail…in addition to the video above?
