Car Break Down - What to do?
It’s the thing we all dread the most as drivers – being stranded at the side of the road with a car that just won’t go anywhere, won’t start, and made a horrible grinding noise before it coughed and died! It’s super annoying! So here are a few tips to help you deal with this tricky situation.
Prevention is better than cure!
We’re not being trite here, but the best way to avoid a breakdown is to show your car some love. Stay on top of your maintenance and make sure your car is serviced on time, every time. If a dash light comes on (especially the oil light or the ‘Check Engine’ light), don’t shove a sticking plaster over it to make it go away, get it sorted right now. The earlier you catch a problem, the less of a problem it is.
The most common breakdowns are things like a flat battery, a flat tyre, or overheating. So make sure that:
- Your battery is fully charged (so don’t park up and leave the lights on!)
- That you know how to change a tyre for yourself, rather than standing by the side of the road waiting for a knight in shining armour to come along.
- That your radiator and cooling system is fully functional and regularly topped up.
Make sure you’ve got everything you need to cope with a breakdown, including a decent jack and wheel spanner in your boot. And don’t forget to keep a regular check on the spare, too – after all, one flat you can cope with, but two could be a real problem!
If you really want to be ready for anything, why not book yourself onto a basic car maintenance course? Not only will it give you the skills to deal with simple problems without having to call for help, but it’ll give you a real sense of achievement and empowerment too.
Think about your safety
Cars can be replaced. You can’t. So make sure you put your personal safety at the top of the list. If you do break down, call someone such as a friend or family member to tell them where you are. (make sure you’ve got a full charge on your phone). Put emergency numbers such as relatives or your roadside assistance service on speed dial.
If you’re not sure exactly where you are, you can contact the emergency services your exact location to within a metre by giving your precise latitude and longitude position a three-word identification. All you have to do is tell your emergency operator the three words and they’ll be able to locate you instantly.
If you’re in a neighbourhood you’re not familiar with, or it’s getting dark, stay in the car and lock the doors. When your roadside assistance shows up.
Rats! You’ve broken down! Now what?
Rule number 1 - don’t panic! Keep calm, pull over to the side of the road in a safe place and put your hazard lights on. If you’re carrying one, put a red warning triangle to the rear of the car.
Now it’s time to start making calls. Phone your family member or friend and tell them where you are. Then get onto your roadside assistance service and get the rescue rolling. At MOOV by Al-Futtaim, we’re ready to spring into action with our emergency roadside assistance number. If (and we know this is almost inconceivable) the worst does happen and your MOOV car stops moving, all you have to do is call 800 MOOVAF, day or night, and we’ll be there for you.
Remember to keep those doors locked until our technician reaches you, and whatever you do, never accept a lift from a stranger, no matter how well-meaning they may seem. Wait for your MOOV specialist to get to you.
At MOOV by Al-Futtaim, 24/7 roadside assistance is part of your car subscription monthly package so you don’t have to pay extra for that peace of mind. Take a look at our car subscription service that includes roadside recovery, breakdown assistance, and full servicing as well as insurance, and let us keep you MOOV-ing.
