No panic! 7 things that will get you through your car breakdown safely!

Thomas Wachsmuth September 28, 2023 Tips, products, information & Co.

Unfortunately, a car breakdown can affect any driver. Rarely if ever will it come at a good time. In such moments, however, it is even more important to remain calm and act in the right order. In this article, we'll show you what you should do if your car breaks down - although we of course hope that you'll use our tips you will never need.

1. Keep your eyes on the road

Once you've stopped, it's essential to pay attention to your surroundings. Forget your cell phone unless you need to make an emergency call. Your top priority should be to come up with a good plan so you can get home safely. In this context: Wait for help. Waiting for help can be annoying, but stay calm. Use the time to relax. Be on the lookout for any assistance or roadside assistance vehicles that may be coming and, if necessary, signal to them that you need help. If a stranger offers you help, that can also be useful, but you should always be careful.

2. Take security measures

Safety should always come first. As soon as you notice that your car has broken down, carefully steer it onto the shoulder or into a safe parking space. If you're on a highway or a busy road, switch gears Hazard lights to warn other road users. Make sure your car is as far away from the road as possible remote is to avoid accidents.

3. Put on a high-visibility vest

Before you get out, put on a reflective one safety vest to increase your visibility. This is particularly important when it is dark or visibility is poor. Your safety is of utmost importance and the high visibility vest will help prevent accidents. At the same time, you also protect others who might overlook you and cause an accident.

4. Set up a warning triangle

Place that warning triangle at a sufficient distance behind your vehicle. The signal warns others of the danger and helps prevent accidents. Make sure the warning triangle is in one appropriate distance and set up at the right angle to the street. A recommendation is that warning triangle about 50 to 100 meters to be placed behind the vehicle. This gives those behind enough time to adjust to the situation and reduce their speed. If visibility is reduced due to fog, rain, or other weather conditions, the warning triangle may need some warning closer be placed on the vehicle so that it can be seen in good time.

5. Call for help

After taking the above security measures, call for help. You can do that Breakdown service, the Towing service or Emergency call contact, depending on the severity of the breakdown and the location. Explain as precisely as possible wo where you are and describe the situation. Stay on the phone until you have provided all the necessary information. Alternatively, you can of course also contact friends and acquaintances, but you should remember to call them to keep calm.

6. Stay in the car or not?

It's often not safer to stay in your car until help arrives, especially if you're stranded on a busy road or in a dangerous area. The car then offers little protection if it crashes. So get behind the guardrail! If you are standing off the road, you can protect yourself from the weather and sit in the car. Leave the windows slightly open to... Air circulation ensure. If you have animals in the car with you, you should also be careful. It gets very warm for dogs and other pets, especially in summer. Make sure they get enough cool air.

7. General vehicle inspection

If you feel confident and have sufficient knowledge, you can carry out a small vehicle inspection. Check whether all tires are intact and the tire pressure correct is. Make sure that no smoke or unusual noises coming from the engine compartment. However, note that you no repairs on site unless you are trained and confidently able to do so. But as we have just learned: it is often safer to simply wait behind the guardrail for help to be called. So if you want to inspect your car more closely, be careful and check the surroundings beforehand.

Find solutions step by step

In situations where your car breaks down, you should only considered decisions meet. Your safety and that of others is our top priority, from driving the vehicle to a safe location to using it Safety vests and warning trianglesto protect others. Calling for help immediately ensures you get help. Waiting in the car, if possible without danger, also offers protection while a first vehicle inspection can provide information about the situation. Finally, patience is key while you wait for help. And with our tips you can overcome any car breakdown that you hopefully never have to experience.

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