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What to do when your car breaks down

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The short answer

Turn on your hazard lights and get your car as far from traffic as you safely can. If anyone is hurt or you are in a dangerous spot, call emergency services first. Then call your roadside assistance plan or a local tow company and tell them exactly where you are.

What is the first thing to do when your car breaks down?

The first thing to do is make yourself easy to see. Turn on your hazard lights and, if you can, roll to a safe spot. A stopped car in a busy lane is the most dangerous place to be.

Do not worry about the car yet. The car can be fixed. Your job right now is to keep everyone in it safe.

How do I know where to stop?

The best place to stop is somewhere that is away from moving traffic and easy for a truck to reach. That could be a wide shoulder, an exit ramp, a parking lot or a quiet street.

If your engine quits, you can usually still steer and brake for a short time. Stay calm and use the speed you have left to reach a better spot. The steering wheel and brakes may feel heavy without engine power, so use steady pressure.

Who should I call when my car breaks down?

Call your roadside assistance plan first if you have one. Many people have a plan without knowing it, through their insurer, their car maker, their credit card or an auto club. Check your insurance card or app.

If you have no plan, call a local tow company. Search for one near you and choose one that gives you a clear arrival time. If you are in danger or someone is hurt, call emergency services before anyone else.

What should I do while I wait?

While you wait, stay somewhere safe and keep your phone with you. Passengers should wait away from the road too. Do not stand between your car and traffic.

Some tow companies send a text link that shows the truck on a map. If you get one, open it. It can save you a lot of guessing about when help will arrive.

  • Keep your hazard lights on.
  • Stay off the road side of the car.
  • Keep your phone charged and nearby.
  • Do not start repairs on a busy road.
  • Write down the company name and the arrival time you were given.

Step by step

  1. Turn on your hazard lights

    Switch them on the moment something feels wrong. They tell other drivers to slow down and steer around you.

  2. Steer to the safest place you can reach

    Ease off the gas and coast toward a shoulder, an exit, a parking lot or a quiet side street. Do not brake hard. Try to stop well away from moving cars.

  3. Decide whether to stay in the car or get out

    If you are on a busy road and it is not safe to step out, stay buckled in with your hazard lights on and call for help. If it is safe to get out, leave on the side away from traffic and move well away from the road, behind a barrier if there is one.

  4. Call emergency services if you are in danger

    Call right away if anyone is hurt, if you smell smoke or fuel, or if your car is stuck in a traffic lane. Follow what the operator tells you.

  5. Call for help

    Call your roadside assistance plan (through your insurer, car maker, credit card or auto club) or a local tow company. Give them your exact location and what happened.

  6. Wait somewhere safe

    Keep your phone charged and your doors locked if you feel unsafe. Do not accept help from a stranger who did not come from the company you called.

Frequently asked questions

Should I stay in my car or get out?

It depends on where you are. On a busy road where stepping out is not safe, stay buckled in with your hazard lights on and call for help. If you can get out safely, move well away from traffic. If you are unsure, ask the emergency operator.

Is it okay to try to fix the car myself?

Not on a busy road. Fixing a car near moving traffic is risky. If the problem is simple and you are somewhere quiet and safe, your owner's manual can guide you. Otherwise wait for a professional.

What if I do not know exactly where I am?

Look for a mile marker, an exit number, a street sign or a store name. You can also share your location from your phone map to the person you are talking to. The more exact you are, the faster help arrives.

What if my phone is almost dead?

Make your calls first and keep them short. Give your location, your car and your phone number, then hang up and save the battery. If your car can still charge your phone safely, use that.

Stuck right now?

If anyone is hurt, or you are stopped in traffic, call emergency services first. Then get to a safe spot away from moving traffic.

Once you are safe, call your local tow company or your roadside assistance plan. This page is general information and cannot send help.

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