What to do when your car breaks down

If your car breaks down, focus on safety first: get out of traffic if you can, turn on your hazard lights, and call for help. If you’re on a busy road or highway and can’t move the car safely, stay inside with your seat belt on until assistance arrives.

Quick Scoop

  1. Get to a safe spot. Pull onto the shoulder, a parking lot, or another safe area if the car still moves.
  1. Turn on hazard lights. This warns other drivers that your car is disabled.
  1. Secure the car. Put it in park, set the emergency brake, and turn the wheels away from traffic if you’re on a slope.
  1. Get yourself safe. If you can exit safely, use the side away from traffic; if not, stay in the vehicle and wait for help.
  1. Call roadside assistance or emergency services. Share your exact location, nearby exit, mile marker, or cross street so help can find you quickly.
  1. Assess the problem only if it’s safe. Look for warning lights, smoke, leaks, flat tires, or overheating before deciding whether you need a tow.

What not to do

  • Don’t stand behind or in front of the car in active traffic.
  • Don’t try to push the car by yourself if it’s in a dangerous spot.
  • Don’t open the hood if you see smoke or suspect a fire.
  • Don’t keep driving if the engine is overheating or you smell burning.

Good things to keep in the car

  • Phone charger or power bank.
  • Roadside-assistance information.
  • Reflective triangle or flares.
  • Flashlight.
  • Jumper cables or a jump starter.
  • Spare tire, jack, and basic tools if you know how to use them.

If it’s a simple issue

  • Flat tire: Use a spare only if you know how and it’s safe; otherwise call for help.
  • Dead battery: A jump-start may help if the battery is the issue.
  • Out of gas: Move to safety and request fuel delivery if available.

When to call 911

Call emergency services right away if:

  • You’re blocking traffic and can’t move.
  • There’s smoke, fire, or fuel leaking.
  • Someone is hurt.
  • You’re in immediate danger from other vehicles or weather.

Meta description: Learn what to do when your car breaks down, from staying safe on the roadside to calling for help and handling common issues like a flat tire or dead battery.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.