What to Do if Your Car Breaks Down: A Step-by-Step Guide

While car trouble is inconvenient, having a plan for what to do if your car breaks down can make the situation more manageable and less stressful. Knowing what to do before a breakdown happens can help you stay prepared on your daily commute, on the highway or during a road trip.

Safety reminder: If your car breaks down, prioritize these steps first:

• Move as far out of traffic as possible
• Turn on your hazard lights
• Stay visible to other drivers
• Call roadside assistance or emergency help if needed

Step 1: Stay calm and get your vehicle to a safe spot

When your car breaks down, try to stay calm. A clear head will help you manage the car trouble more effectively. Next, follow these steps to get yourself to safety:

Turn on your hazard lights

Whether you hear a strange sound from your car's engine or feel the car pull to one side, slow the car gradually and turn on your hazard lights so that other drivers know to give you extra space. Hazard lights are especially crucial when it's dark or when visibility is poor due to fog or rain.

Move away from traffic if possible

Look for a safe place to pull over. Ideally, seek out a well-lit parking lot, gas station or side street. These locations are preferable to the shoulder of the road since they give you more room to check on your car and for roadside assistance crews to work, but that's not always possible. If your car breaks down on a highway, you should move your car to the right shoulder. If your car breaks down on an incline, set your emergency brake and turn your wheels away from the road to keep your car from rolling into oncoming traffic.

Stay visible to other drivers

Once you're stopped and parked in a safe location, try to make yourself as visible as possible so that other drivers see you (and emergency personnel can find you). In addition to keeping your hazard lights on, put down emergency flares, reflective warning triangles or cones if you have them and if you can place them safely. These measures will help drivers see you in advance, particularly if you're on the side of the road.

If you're stopped on a busy highway, stay in your car with your seat belt on until professional help arrives. Getting out increases the risk of injuries if drivers can't see you.

Step 2: Assess your broken-down car

Once your car is visible and out of oncoming traffic, try to get an idea of what's wrong. If a warning light on your dashboard – such as the check engine light or the tire pressure light – is illuminated, that can give you an indication of what the problem is. Of course, in the case of a flat tire, a simple visual check might be all you need to see that it was punctured by a nail or road debris.

If steam or smoke is coming from under the hood, don't touch anything until it cools down. If it's safe to do so and the car no longer shows any signs of smoke or steam, you can pop the hood. Only do this if you know what issues to look for and how to address them.

Avoid roadside repairs if:

• Traffic is heavy
• Visibility is poor
• Your vehicle is smoking
• You are unsure what caused the problem
• The vehicle is stopped in an unsafe location

In many situations, waiting for roadside assistance or a repair professional may be the safer option.

Step 3: Call for roadside assistance or other help

If you aren't able to fix the problem yourself — for example, if it's more complicated than changing a tire or if you don't have the necessary tools — it's time to call for help:

Call 911 (if needed)

If your car is smoking or in an unsafe location such as a busy road without a shoulder, call 911 for help. Calling 911 is also a good idea if you are on a road trip and can’t provide your exact location to a towing company or roadside assistance service.

Contact a roadside assistance service

You may have roadside assistance through your car insurance or third party company. Roadside assistance services may help with:

• Towing
• Jump-starting a dead battery
• Changing a flat tire
• Fuel delivery
• Lockout service

When you call, provide as much detail about your exact location as possible, such as a mile marker or cross street, so the towing service can find you.

Even if you have roadside assistance as an auto insurance or car dealer perk, it’s advisable to ask about the cost. Extra services, such as towing beyond a certain radius, may incur added fees.

If you’re not sure what your policy may include, you can also review “Car Insurance Policies” and “Auto Repair Assistance” for more information about available support options.

Call or text loved ones

Even if help is on the way, it's a good idea to let your friends or family know where you are and what happened. Tell them your location and how long you expect to wait for help so they can check in and make sure you're safe.

Step 4: Wait for help to arrive

Stay put and avoid getting out of your vehicle if you're on a busy street or highway.

While you wait, keep the doors locked and stay in the car until help arrives. If your phone's battery is low, close unnecessary apps to conserve what power you have.

If you’re wondering “what if my car breaks down on a road trip?,” these same safety steps still apply. Stay with the vehicle when it’s safer to do so, keep your phone charged if possible and be ready to share landmarks, exit numbers or mile markers with roadside help.

Step 5: Schedule repairs

For minor issues like installing a spare tire, roadside assistance can provide help on the spot. For more complex issues, they will need to tow your car to a repair shop.

Once you know where the car is going, call the auto repair shop so they know to expect your vehicle. If they can't handle the problem right away – or if they need to order parts – you'll need to arrange for a ride home. Contact a family member or friend, use a rideshare app or ask the repair shop if they have rental vehicles available.

If your breakdown follows an accident rather than a mechanical problem, you may also want to review “What to Do After a Car Accident” and “How to File an Auto Claim”.

What to keep in your car emergency kit

Being prepared can make dealing with a broken-down car easier and keep you comfortable while you wait for help. Of course, the best preparation to avoid breakdowns is to stay on top of your car’s maintenance needs. Addressing tire checks, oil changes and other regular maintenance tasks can reduce the likelihood that you’ll find yourself stuck on the side of the road.

Check your emergency kit twice a year:

• Replace expired snacks and water 

• Recharge or replace power bank batteries 

• Check flashlight batteries  

• Restock first-aid supplies

But since breakdowns can happen to even the most diligent driver, you should keep an emergency kit in your trunk. A car emergency kit should include the following items:

• Reflective triangles or road flares
• Flashlight with batteries
• Jumper cables
• Spare tire
• Lug wrench and jack
• Bottled water
• Nonperishable snacks, like granola or trail mix
• Blanket and camping pillow
• Phone power bank and charging cable
• First-aid kit

It's a good idea to check your emergency kit at least twice a year to make sure you have everything you need and that nothing has expired. If your snacks have expired, your flashlight batteries are dead or your power bank is depleted, replenish your supplies so you're prepared for the unexpected.

Be prepared for roadside emergencies

Car breakdowns can be stressful, especially on busy roads or during long trips. Understanding what to do, keeping a few emergency supplies in your vehicle and knowing when to call for help can make roadside problems safer and easier to manage. It may also help to review your auto insurance policy to understand whether roadside assistance coverage is included.