From battery problems to engine software malfunctions, there are many issues that can cause you and your vehicle to end up roadside and in need of assistance. Keeping your vehicle on a regular maintenance schedule is one of the most proactive things you can do as a car owner to keep your car running safely and properly – avoiding potential breakdown causes. Cassels Garage is a family owned and operated full service automotive repair facility located in Melbourne, Florida. Our rates are affordable and we are staffed by specialists, so let us help you keep your car in tip top shape and keep you off the roadside broken down.
If you were to encounter one of the many possible vehicle breakdown causes such as overheating or a damaged tire resulting in a flat or blowout while on a trip or just running around town, there are ways to remain calm, keeping yourself out of harm’s way and maneuvering your vehicle safely to the side of the road. Here are a few quick tips to keep in mind:
- Exercise good judgement when pulling over or stopping on a shoulder of road…pull completely off the road out of the flow of traffic
- Turn on your emergency flashers
- If you have roadside assistance and a cell phone, place call for tow truck.
- If you are in an accident, call 911!!!
- Note the location
- If you stall in the middle of an intersection or on the highway, stay in your car until help arrives
- If you must exit your vehicle, avoid being hit by passing cars by exiting and working on your car on the side not exposed to traffic
And our final bit of advice is to keep a roadside emergency kit well stocked and handy in your vehicle. You can assemble your own or purchase a preassembled one online. Depending on your locale you may need to add or delete certain weather related items. Here are some items to consider adding to your emergency kit:
- Flares
- Reflective devices
- First aid kit
- Jumper cables
- Small portable lithium-ion battery with jumper cables, also can be used to recharge cell phone or a computer
- Car jack
- Spare tire
- Tire pressure gauge
- Fire extinguisher
- Quart oil
- Gallon of coolant
- Blanket
- Tool kit: screw driver, pliers, adjustable wrench, pocket knife
- Can of tire sealant
Be prepared and safe, and diligently keep up on the maintenance of your vehicle to avoid roadside breakdowns. We hope you found useful information in this blog to help you handle an emergency and gathered some helpful hints on items you should travel with in order to be prepared for a crisis if needed. Stop on by Cassels Garage and let us check out your car before your next road trip! We work on a variety of makes and models. Call us at 321-727-2111 to schedule your next routine maintenance. Drive safely!
