Are you from one of the snow-prone areas? Are temperatures falling to sub-zero normal in your location? Well then, having your vehicle break down in the middle of the road with snow falling and wind gusts must be normal for you, right? Whether you are new to this or have experienced it before, it will still be a nightmare to be stuck in such a kind of winter storm with your vehicle broken down. It can naturally make you anxious and frustrated, especially if it’s happening for the first time with you. You will all be scared and confused about how to help yourself in such a situation. Well, there are no perfect vehicle breakdowns or tips to handle them, but one must always be prepared and aware of what to do when dealing with a winter vehicle breakdown. We can provide you with efficient, handy tips to handle your winter vehicle breakdowns much better than you imagined.
What Are Some Of The Tips To Remember To Deal With Winter Vehicle Breakdowns?
When traveling to somewhere urgent during snowy winter weather, no one would imagine or expect to end up in a vehicle with a stalled engine. Sounds terrifying, right? It definitely is. Nothing is worse than experiencing real car trouble in the middle of nowhere and during the coldest winter months. It happens often with people; they often leave their vehicle there and call for a taxi or something to reach their destinations. I understand the urgency, but better ways to deal with the situation exist. Following are some of the efficient tips to handle winter vehicle breakdowns:
Carry An Emergency Kit
Vehicle trouble can happen anywhere and with anyone. It’s all about being prepared and taking some precautions firsthand to assist yourself in such a challenging situation. The first tip to handle a winter vehicle breakdown is to have an emergency kit with you to help you out if your vehicle breaks down. Now, why do you need an emergency kit? And what exactly must your emergency kit include? When stuck in such a situation, you never know how bad it can be; you might be stuck with your kids, or you might be stuck where there are no food stations or water around you. At that moment, you will need something substantial to carry with you, like some non-perishable food, water, or toys for your kids, a first aid kit, and other essentials. Plus, your emergency kit must also include some jumper cables in case your vehicle might experience a battery malfunction. A blanket or some warm clothes are a must-carry, too.
Check Your Tyres
This goes without saying that when going out in a vehicle, especially to somewhere urgent, you must check your vehicle’s tires beforehand. In winter, the road conditions are not optimum and ideal for running cars, but since one can’t avoid that, it’s better to check your vehicle maintenance continuously. Therefore, before going out, always make sure to do a visual check on your tires to see if they are not punctured or have any cuts or external damage. If there is, try to find another source of transport, and if there isn’t, consider changing your tires appropriately. Also, when buying tires for your vehicle, check its pressure with the manufacturer since, during cold weather, it drops faster than usual. So you better have good pressure tires for your vehicle.
Keep Your Car In The Garage
“Precaution is better than cure” we have heard that a lot. This tip is about taking precautions for the security of your vehicle. During the cold weather, the temperature falls to minimal levels, which can cause the thickening of the engine oil and lead to winter vehicle breakdowns. Your vehicle may function well in the morning but can give you trouble later in the day. Therefore, you must keep your vehicle in the garage with warm temperatures to prevent any car trouble like oil freezing or battery damage. You can save your vehicle from further damage and winter breakdowns.
Car Maintenance
Your vehicle requires regular maintenance, especially during winter. The cold weather and poor conditions of roads generally create issues with your vehicle and cause you trouble. Therefore, it’s advisable to provide your vehicle with regular service and maintenance. Many vehicle service providers for winter may even offer you basic free winter checks. The free checks will include the safety of the tires, battery, light, and coolant levels. Proper maintenance provides your vehicle with the optimum condition for driving and has no trouble. If you don’t want an outside service provider, you can also check and clean your by yourself.
Call roadside assistance
What’s done is done. Even after so many precautions, the ideal thing to do is call roadside assistance if you still get stuck with a winter vehicle breakdown. But before that, ensure you are in a safe and visible spot and then call your nearest roadside assistance, who can come and help you. If you are somewhere unknown, try conducting a Google search and check for all the closest roadside assistance services. They will help you by fixing your vehicle immediately or towing it to the nearby repair shop. In any case, your vehicle will be fixed, and you will be able to drive it again.
Conclusion
When stuck in the middle of nowhere with a car breakdown and in the coldest months of the year, it’s natural to panic and feel anxious. But don’t worry, and stop cursing destiny for this mishap. You are not the only one who is experiencing this. What you should do in this situation is be calm and alert. First, ensure that your vehicle is in the appropriate place and visible to the people so you don’t block the traffic or cause any accidents. Also, try your best to stay in the vehicle to avoid getting sick and exposed to a cold. Instead, be warm and wait for the roadside assistance service to come and assist you with the emergency.