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BEACH BLVD OF CARS
405 • Beach Blvd. South

How should you respond to travel mishaps?

how to respond to travel mishaps

No matter how many times your vehicle gets serviced before hitting the road, the chances are that something unfortunate may happen on the way to your destination. What should you do when there’s a flat tire? Above all, keep your cool. There is a way out of this situation when you know what to do next. Let’s check out some quick tips.

Is it worth it to buy a roadside assistance plan?

Yes. Unless you know a guy in the towing business, purchasing a membership from AAA, Good Sam’s, AARP, or from your auto dealer is a great way to keep the costs of roadside problems under control. No matter if you break down on the way to work or while driving cross country, help is only a phone call away and most services are covered under your basic plan. There may even be other discounts for movies and shopping that will help defray the cost of the plan.
 
I have a flat tire, what do I do now?

  • Pull the vehicle as far off the road as is safe.
  • Look in your trunk for the safety kit–many cars come with one! Deploy a flare or cone for improved visibility.
  • Call for help. Add your roadside assistance number or local garage’s number to your phone so you can find it fast.
  • Some cars come with a bottle of fix-a-flat or a small spare tire. Look under the carpeting in the trunk or hatch.
  • Your spare tire kit often includes a jack and tire iron, will also include the instructions which you should read.
  • Take a deep breath. You got this! The spare tire is designed to allow the average person to do this alone.
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    Driving through the desert and the engine light comes on, should you stop or keep going?

    It all depends. Is it far to the next town or gas station? If you are too many miles from anywhere, keep going unless your car is having trouble running. If the vehicle engine is overheating, pull over and let the engine cool off. If you have a bottle of water, that is great! But don’t unscrew the cap to your radiator until the car is cooled down. You can get a face full of steam. You can start driving again after it is cooled down but may have to keep stopping until you reach safety.
     
    What to do when you leave your keys inside the vehicle?

    First off, always have a second key made and leave it with a friend or family member that can come when you call. If that is not possible, skip calling a tow truck or police officer, as they are not supposed to break into vehicles and can damage the locks on your car by jimmying the lock. Call a locksmith or your dealership that can make a duplicate key.

    For more timely travel tips, ask your service technician when you bring your vehicle into your service center at the Beach Boulevard of Cars for a checkup before you hit the road.

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    While great effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this site, errors can occur. Please verify all pricing information with a customer service representative. This is easily done by calling us or visiting us at the dealership.