What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down

Your car can break down anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re dealing with a flat tire on the way to work or major mechanical issues in the middle of nowhere while on vacation, being stranded on the side of the road is a stressful, dangerous experience.

Knowing what to do when a breakdown happens will protect you, your passengers, other drivers, and roadside responders.

Pull over carefully.

When your car first begins to malfunction, the loss of control is alarming. The key is to stay calm when you realize it’s happening.

Once you have acknowledged that you need to pull over, the first thing to do is turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers. Then you should identify the safest spot to pull over, based on the issue and where you are on the road.

If you can do so safely and have time, your first choice should be moving to the nearest exit or rest stop. If that isn’t possible, the next best choice is to pull over to a paved shoulder where you can park and call for assistance. If the shoulder is narrow, unpaved, or nonexistent, your only remaining choice is to move over as far to the right as you can.

While making this maneuver, avoid hard braking. “If your car stalls out while you’re traveling, many people immediately go for the brake,” says Joe Bassett, founder of outdoor company Valiant Out­fitters and co-author of Emergency Communication 101. “But the best thing to do is let off the gas and coast over onto the shoulder to get out of the way.” You might be tempted to pull over as quickly and abruptly as possible. But driving carefully is more important than speed in this case, in order to avoid a crash.

Contact AAA Roadside Assistance.

Once you’re safely parked on the side of the road, it’s time to call for aid. Luke Lipparelli, vice president of road service operations at AAA Mountain West Group, says, “Remain in your vehicle with your seat belt on while immediately calling for Roadside Assistance.” (The best ways to do so are by dialing 800-AAA-HELP on your phone or by using the AAA Mobile app.)

When you make the call, provide as many details as possible, including:

• the issue with your car
• the name of the highway you’re on
• the nearest mile marker
• your direction of travel
• the closest exit
• a description of your car

Stay safe.

As you’re waiting for help, you might feel like getting out of the vehicle. But your best bet is to stay in it. “Your safest place is really in the car itself,” says David Bennett, automotive director at AAA.

Staying put until help arrives is usually best, because getting out exposes you to danger from oncoming traffic and creates potential visibility issues for other drivers.

While you’re waiting, keep your seat belt on and lock the doors. If you have kids in the car, make sure they have their seat belts on; if you have pets, be sure they are restrained. Even though you’re not in motion, wearing a seat belt matters because your vehicle could get hit by a distracted driver.

There are some exceptions to the stay-put rule: You should get out of the car if it’s on fire, if there’s smoke coming out of it, or if you’re in immediate danger of some other kind. The general guideline: “Exit your vehicle only when absolutely necessary,” says Lipparelli.

If that necessity does arise, he says, “step out on the side away from oncoming traffic and move as far away from traffic as possible.” Whatever you do, he warns, do not stand next to your vehicle or walk along the side of the road.

You might be tempted to try to fix the issue yourself, but Bassett recommends not attempting repairs unless you’re a skilled mechanic. “I have seen people get out and, not realizing what they’re doing, accidentally short out the battery and get electrical burns,” says Bassett.

While you’re waiting for the emergency responder to show up, Bennett recommends letting a family member or friend know about your situation. Reassure them that you’re safe and have called for help. Give them the same location details you provided when you requested Roadside Assistance.

After you’ve contacted AAA, wait times can vary. When the responder does get there, follow their directions. “When help arrives, we recommend staying put and waiting for instructions, to ensure your safety,” says Lipparelli. “Our goal is to provide assistance as quickly and safely as possible to get you moving and back on the road.”

To help keep everyone safe when there is an incident on the roadside, all drivers should follow AAA’s “Slow Down, Move Over” guidance: When you see a vehicle or emergency responders on the shoulder, slow down as much as you can and, if possible, switch lanes away from the stranded car. It’s the law in all 50 sates.

How to Avoid or Manage a Car Breakdown

• Don’t let your vehicle’s gas drop below a quarter tank.
• Regularly check its tire pressure.
• Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule.
• Keep in your vehicle: water, nonperishable snacks, a flashlight, batteries, a power bank for your phone, jumper cables, reflective triangles, a bright vest, and a first-aid kit.