What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down

If you're lucky, your car will never break down. But if it does, here are some tips on what to do:

First, don't panic. This will only make the situation worse.

Try to pull over to the side of the road so that you're not blocking traffic.

Turn on your hazard lights so that other drivers are aware of your situation.

If you have a cell phone, call for help. If you don't have a cell phone, try to flag down another driver who can help you.

If you're able to safely move your car off the road, do so. This will make it easier for tow trucks or other assistance to reach you.

Stay with your car until help arrives.

The Different Types of Breakdowns

There are different types of automotive breakdowns, each requiring a different type of repair. The most common type of breakdown is a flat tire. A flat tire can be caused by a puncture, a leak, or simply by wearing down over time. If you have a flat tire, you'll need to replace it with a new one. Another common type of automotive breakdown is an engine issue. An engine issue can be caused by a variety of things, including a dirty air filter, low oil levels, or a faulty spark plug. If your engine breaks down, you'll need to take it to a mechanic for repairs.

What to Do If You're Stranded

If your car breaks down and you're stranded, there are a few things you can do to stay safe. First, if you can, move your car off of the road so you're not blocking traffic. Then, turn on your hazard lights so other drivers can see you. If it's dark outside, you may want to put up flares.

Once you're safely off the road, call for help. If you have a roadside assistance plan, use that. If not, call a tow truck or the police. Depending on the situation, one of them may be able to help you get your car running again or at least tow it to a nearby service station.

In the meantime, stay inside your car with the doors locked. This will protect you from other motorists and from potential criminals who may see your stranded car as an easy target. And if it's cold outside, run the engine for a little while (no more than 15 minutes) to keep yourself warm but be sure to crack a window first to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

What to Do If You Have a Flat Tire

If you have a flat tire, the first thing you should do is pull over to a safe location. Once you're in a safe location, you can begin to change your tire. First, you'll need to loosen the lug nuts on your wheel. To do this, you'll need a lug wrench. Once the lug nuts are loosened, you can remove the flat tire and put on the spare tire. After the spare tire is in place, you can tighten the lug nuts back up.

How to Change a Tire

If you're lucky, your car will never break down. But if it does, it's important to know how to change a tire. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Pull over to a safe, level spot. It's important to make sure the car is completely stopped before changing the tire.

2. Loosen the lug nuts with a wrench. You'll want to do this while the tire is still on the ground.

3. Jack up the car and place the jack under the frame. Be careful not to place it under any part of the suspension, as this could damage the car.

4. Remove the lug nuts and then the tire. Place the spare tire on and hand-tighten the lug nuts.

5. Lower the car back down and tighten the lug nuts with a wrench. Make sure they're tight enough that they won't come loose while you're driving.

6. Put all of your tools back in your trunk and you're good to go!

How to Jump Start a Car

If your car has a dead battery, you'll need to jump start it to get it running again. Here's how to do it:

1. Park the working vehicle close to the dead one, making sure that the batteries are not touching.

2. Connect the positive (red) cable to the positive terminal of the dead battery. Then connect the other end of the positive cable to the positive terminal of the working battery.

3. Connect the negative (black) cable to the negative terminal of the working battery. Then connect the other end of the negative cable to a metal surface on the dead car, such as a bolt on the engine block.

4. Start up the working vehicle and let it run for a few minutes. Then try starting up the dead car. If it doesn't start, wait a few more minutes and try again.