What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down on the Roadside?
2 Answers
The steps to handle a car breakdown on the roadside are: 1. Turn on the hazard warning lights of the car; 2. After pushing the car to the roadside, set up a warning triangle 150 meters behind the vehicle; 3. Contact a repair company or after-sales service company. The reasons for a car breaking down on the roadside include: 1. Not slowing down when going over speed bumps can easily damage the shock absorption system; 2. Climbing curbs at an angle can damage the tires; 3. Frequently turning the steering wheel to its limit can wear out the power steering pump, and over time, accelerate the aging of the pump's belt, adversely affecting the steering gear; 4. Shifting gears before the car comes to a complete stop can cause internal impact to the transmission, leading to gear grinding and damage to the transmission.
I just encountered this situation a couple of days ago - my car suddenly stalled and stopped on the highway shoulder. I immediately turned on the hazard lights, retrieved the warning triangle from the trunk, and placed it 150 meters behind the vehicle (even farther at night). All passengers exited the car and moved to the safe area outside the guardrail, then I locked the doors. Next, I called the insurance company's emergency hotline, reporting the license plate number and precise location (the highway kilometer marker number is crucial). During the over one-hour wait for the tow truck, we remained on the embankment, watching the road vibrate when heavy trucks passed by. Later, I learned the alternator belt had snapped - attempting roadside repairs would have been even more dangerous. I recommend keeping water and reflective vests in your car as precautionary measures.
