Want to Spend Summer Vacation Stranded on the Side of the Road?
06/20/2011
Summer road trips can be tough on vehicles. Our cars usually tell us when they need some TLC, but sometimes we don't listen until it's too late. If your car starts to go kaput while you're headed down the highway, the key is to stay calm and know what to do.
Here are a few tips to avoid an accident and further damage to your car if you run into trouble while you're on the road:
- If your car starts to overheat, turn the heater on and get to a service station. The heater will help cool down the engine until you can get to a station. But keep an eye on the temperature gauge - if the needle moves into the red, pull over, let the car cool down and then try again.
- Do not slam on the brakes if you blow out a tire. Slamming on the brakes can cause you to lose control of the car. Steer straight, ease off the gas, and slowly make your way off the road.
- If your check engine light turns on, you don't need to stop driving immediately. Get your car to a service station as soon as you can. If the light starts flashing, pull over immediately (if it's safe to do so) and turn the car off so you don't damage the engine.
Thanks to the JustAnswer Blog for providing these tips. If you're going on a road trip this summer, make sure your car is in good shape before you set off to avoid any of the issues above. And, of course, make sure your care is properly insured.
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