What to Do When Your Car Wont Start
Having your vehicle break down can be an extremely stressful. This always seems to happen in the most inconvenient of times. But when you think about it, at least one of the many moving parts in a vehicle are bound to malfunction eventually. How frequently (or infrequently) you drive, how well you maintain your vehicle are just a few factors that play into the probability of your car not starting. Let’s look at what to do when your car wont start.
Here’s What to Do When Your Car Wont Start
What Should Be in Your Vehicle When Your Car Wont Start
- Tire iron and jack. You’re probably aware that you should always keep a spare tire on board, but don’t overlook the tools required to change one. Both a tire iron and jack are necessary to change a tire, otherwise you’re left with a useless donut — and not the good kind! A lot of new cars do not come with a spare tire or the needed items to replace the tire, making sure that your vehicle has one is key.
- Emergency roadside kit. Equipped with a flashlight, jumper cables, clamps, gloves, screwdriver, duct tape, extra batteries, first-aid supplies, reflective signs and more—an emergency roadside kit is designed to keep you safe and help get you back on the road more quickly should bad luck befall you.
- Tire pressure gauge. Think a tire might be low? Check before you embark on that road trip! Be sure to check the spare tire pressure as well. The last thing you need is changing a flat only to find the spare is low, too. If you do not have one of these important items, you can go to Discount Tire. They almost always have one in their store that you can pretty much just take. I almost always grab one when I visit.
- Water for your vehicle. Should your vehicle overheat and it is just a hose that can be repaired. Having water in gallon jugs can help you get onto the road with more ease.
- Gas can. If you run out of gas, you may need to walk to a nearby gas station for fuel. A 1-gallon gas can will come in handy in transporting the fuel from point A to point B.
Necessary items for when your car wont start
- Shovel and sand. During winter, if you live in a snowy climate, be sure to keep these items available if you ever hit a snowbank and need to dig yourself out. Sand, kitty litter or another grainy substance can be used to help your tires gain traction if stuck on ice.
- Cell phone charger. This one is pretty self-explanatory, but be sure you always keep one in your car. Batteries die (especially during long road trips) and you may need to call for roadside or emergency assistance.
- Granola bars and water bottles. You should consider keeping non-perishable granola or energy bars as well as drinkable water stowed in your vehicle. If you become stranded on the side of the road in a remote area you will be thankful to have a bite to tide you over while you wait for help. Just be sure to avoid the kind with chocolate — especially in the summer!
- Blanket. Winters can be brutal. If you become stranded in the middle of winter or even just at night in a remote area, an insulated or thick blanket can keep you warm while you wait for help.
Our Driving Courses Prepare You on What to Do for When Your Car Wont Start
Legacy Driving Academy has offered driving courses for years. Schedule your driving course and defensive driving courses in Phoenix, AZ. We also service surrounding areas such as Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert and Ahwatukee.
Contact us today if you have any questions.
