| Modern cars will rarely break down. When they do | | | | If a tyre develops a puncture while driving you |
| the fault can often be traced back to poor | | | | should pull over to a safe location as quickly as |
| maintenance and a failure to look after the car | | | | possible. Changing a tyre on a public road can be a |
| properly. You should never ignore any faults which | | | | very dangerous activity. |
| your car develops whilst driving. Always be on the | | | | - Make sure it is safe to change the wheel |
| look out for odd smells or noises. If any occur be | | | | - Remove the spare wheel, wrench and jack |
| prepared to pull over and investigate. | | | | from the boot of your car. |
| If you do break down your first concern should | | | | - Making sure the handbrake is on put the car into |
| be to ensure your vehicle isn't or doesn't become | | | | first gear (park for an automatic). Refer to your |
| a hazard for other road users. If you can you | | | | car's user manual to find where the jacking point |
| should pull off the road. If your vehicle remains on | | | | is. |
| the road the switch on your hazard warning lights. | | | | - Making sure the jack is on firm ground attach |
| If you have a warning triangle place it on the road | | | | the jack then use it to lift the car up just above |
| at at least 45 metres behind your car on the | | | | the ground. |
| same side of the road. If you have passengers | | | | - Remove the wheel nuts |
| then ask them to get out of the vehicle and wait | | | | - Remove the wheel |
| in a safe place. | | | | - Fit the spare wheel, tighten the wheel nuts then |
| To be prepared to deal with common | | | | lower the jack. |
| breakdowns use the following guide. | | | | - Go to the nearest garage and get your |
| Engine failure | | | | damaged tyre fixed or replaced. |
| If the engine fails while driving you will lose power | | | | A Fire |
| steering and power assistance to the brakes. This | | | | Firstly it is always wise to carry a fire |
| will result in the steering becoming heavier. You will | | | | extinguisher. Secondly if ever you start to smell |
| need to use greater force to steer the car. You | | | | petrol fumes whilst driving always pull over and |
| will also have to press the brake pedal harder. | | | | investigate. If your vehicle does catch fire then |
| Engine overheating - if this happens then you | | | | get yourself and any passengers out of the |
| should stop and let the engine cool down. Once | | | | vehicle as quickly as possible. Call the fire brigade. |
| cool you can look under the bonnet to investigate | | | | Never try and extinguish a fire under the bonnet |
| a cause. | | | | by opening the bonnet as this may make the |
| Tyre Blow-out | | | | flames flare up. |
| This is when a tyre bursts while you are driving. If | | | | For many people breaking down on the |
| ever you find yourself is this situation here's what | | | | motorway is a frightening prospect and certainly |
| to do | | | | the motorway is an place of many hazards. If |
| - Keep your eyes firmly on the road and both | | | | you do have to stop on the motorway due to |
| hands on the steering wheel | | | | your car developing a fault then here is what you |
| - Keep the steering wheel in a steady position, | | | | should do. |
| making only slight movements. | | | | - Pull over to the hard shoulder and park as far to |
| - Turn on your hazard lights to show that you are | | | | the left as you can. |
| having a problem. If you are on the motorway in | | | | - Turn your steering wheel left full lock. This will |
| any lane other than the inside then don't do this | | | | point the front wheels to the left so if you're hit |
| straight away as it may cause impatient people to | | | | by another car your car will not be pushed back |
| undercut you and increase the chances of an | | | | onto the carriageway. |
| accident. | | | | - Switch on your hazard warning lights. If it is night |
| - Try and identify where you can bring the vehicle | | | | time or there is poor visibility turn on your side |
| to a stop, outside the main traffic flow - if on a | | | | lights. |
| motorway this will be the hard shoulder, or you | | | | - Exit your vehicle using the left hand doors. If |
| may need to just pull up in a lay-by or at the side | | | | you have passengers then tell them to wait on |
| of the road, avoiding any bends. | | | | the the grassy bank or as far away from the |
| - Don't apply the brake but do take your foot off | | | | carriageway as possible. |
| the accelerator and try to coast - slowing down | | | | - If you have any animals leave them in your |
| gently (this is because if you have a faulty tyre, | | | | vehicle. |
| braking heavily can make your car swerve | | | | - Phone the emergency services. If you know |
| uncontrollably and cause a collision). | | | | your location, between two junctions then use |
| - As your car slows down drive into the identified | | | | your mobile. If you don't know your location then |
| 'safe' spot taking care not to rush and keeping a | | | | walk to the nearest emergency phone and call |
| close eye on traffic around you. If you have your | | | | from there. This will pinpoint your location. |
| hazards on then hopefully other road users will | | | | - Do not attempt to repair your vehicle. |
| realise you have a problem and will allow you to | | | | - Wait for the emergency services on the grassy |
| leave the flow of traffic. | | | | bank and as far from the carriageway as possible. |
| - Park up and get yourself and your passengers | | | | - If your car won't reach the hard shoulder then |
| out of the car, taking care that you do not put | | | | turn on your hazard warning lights and making |
| yourself or them in danger from passing cars. | | | | sure it is safe to exit your vehicle do so then |
| Move a safe distance away from the car. | | | | make your way to the hard shoulder. |
| A normal puncture | | | | |