A car breakdown can happen to anyone, and it’s often an unexpected and stressful experience. Whether you're dealing with a flat tire, engine failure, or running out of gas, it’s important to stay calm and follow the right steps to ensure your safety and resolve the issue quickly. Here’s what you should do if your car breaks down on the road:

Be sure to check your surroundings
and focus on safety!

1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

The first step is to remain calm. Take a deep breath and quickly assess the situation. Is your car still drivable? If it's not, or if you’re unsure, it’s best to stop as soon as possible and ensure you’re safely out of traffic.

2. Turn on Your Hazard Lights

If you haven’t already, turn on your hazard lights immediately. This alerts other drivers that you're having trouble and need space. It’s especially important if you're on the side of the road or in an area where visibility is limited, such as a bend or a hill.

3. Move to a Safe Location

If possible, try to drive your car to a safe location. This could be a nearby shoulder, a parking lot, or a rest area. If you can’t move the vehicle safely, stay inside the car with your seatbelt fastened, especially if you’re on a busy road or highway.

4. Assess the Problem

Once you're safe, try to figure out what caused the breakdown. Is there smoke or a strange smell? Do you have a flat tire? Have you run out of gas? If you can identify the problem and it's something simple like a flat tire or a dead battery, you might be able to address it yourself.

5. Call for Help

If you're unable to fix the issue or don’t have the tools, it’s time to call for roadside assistance or a tow truck. You can contact a local towing company or your roadside assistance service to get help. If you're in an unfamiliar area, it's always a good idea to call a trusted towing company like Tippy Toe Towing.

6. Stay Safe and Wait for Help

If you're waiting for help, remain inside your car with your seatbelt fastened. Keep the windows cracked slightly for ventilation but avoid getting out unless it's absolutely necessary. If it's safe to do so, put out reflective cones or triangles to alert other drivers, especially at night or in low-visibility conditions.

7. Prepare for the Tow

Once help arrives, whether it’s a towing service or roadside assistance, they will assess the situation and either fix the problem on-site or tow your vehicle to a safe location, like a repair shop or your home.

Call Us to Get Your Vehicle Towed to Safety

If you’re stranded on the road and need a reliable, professional towing service, don’t hesitate to call Tippy Toe Towing here in Douglas County, Oregon at 541-900-1011. We offer quick and efficient towing to ensure your vehicle is safely transported to a repair shop or a location of your choice. Whether it’s an emergency breakdown or a planned tow, we’re here to help when you need it most!