What should you do with a vehicle breakdown on the road?  

Modern vehicles have become so reliable that when yours breaks down on the road, it may be a complete shock. After you’ve recovered, you can follow these steps to safely and effectively deal with the issue.

Turn on your hazard lights.

Once you sense that a problem is happening, don’t wait to figure it out before turning on your hazard lights to ensure you warn other drivers and give yourself more time to react. Keep the indicators on until help arrives.

Pull off the road.

Slow down and pull off the road, preferably into a parking lot, onto a shoulder, or a location that is far away from traffic. If you’re parking on an incline, turn the wheels so that if your vehicle rolls down, it moves away from traffic. Engage the parking (emergency) brake to hold your vehicle in place.    

Stay in your vehicle.

The safest place to be during a breakdown, especially on the freeway, is in your vehicle with the seatbelts fastened. If you need to get out, exit through the doors on the side, away from moving traffic. If you are out of your vehicle and only if it is safe to do so, set out triangles with reflectors, road flares, or other attention-getting devices behind your car to alert other drivers to your stop.

Get help.

When you break down in Southern California, you have a few places that you can call for help.

• Roadside Assistance. If your car is relatively new, it may have several years of free Roadside Assistance as part of its overall warranty.
• Automobile Club of Southern California. Also known as the American Automobile Association or AAA, the services offered by this member organization and the number of times you can use each service for free depends on your membership level.
• Insurance Company. Many auto insurance companies have free roadside assistance as part of your coverage. You can call them as long as your policy is active.
• Freeway Service Patrol (FSP). Call 511 from your smartphone or freeway call box to contact the FSP, a free service of privately owned tow trucks that patrol either all day or during peak commute hours from Monday to Friday, depending on the location. Their services have some exclusions.

These services generally provide the following types of services.

• Jump-starting a dead battery or changing to a new one.
• Fuel delivery.
• Lockout services.
• Changing a flat tire.
• Towing. The FSP does not provide this service. Nor do they recommend towing companies or mechanics.
• Help with collisions. The FSP does not provide this service unless directed by the California Highway Patrol.

Your insurance company, AAA, or your car’s extended warranty may also offer you a free or reduced-cost rental car while your vehicle is being repaired. If your vehicle is towed to a dealer at the Beach Boulevard of Cars in Huntington Beach, you may qualify for a free shuttle back to your home, work, or school. Your dealer may also grant you a complimentary loaner, depending on the service or repair you’re getting.