Although it’s a rare mishap to experience, knowing how to handle a vehicle malfunction on the road is crucial to your safety. By calmly following these four tips, you will keep yourself, your passengers, and surrounding drivers safe while you wait for a tow truck to arrive.

4 Steps to Take When Your Car Malfunctions While Driving 

1. Stay Calm

Experiencing a car malfunction while on the road is undoubtedly a stressful situation, but panic will only lead to more problems. Try to stay as calm as possible; a level head will allow you to move through these steps safely and successfully while waiting for a tow truck. 

2. Safely Pull Over

Getting your car off of the road is the top priority when dealing with a malfunction. Depending on the severity of the vehicle issues, your power steering and brakes may be affected, which will make it harder to pull over. If this is the case, move to a side lane and coast to a stop. If it’s too tight to slow down, move to an open area and use the emergency brake.

3. Turn On Hazard Lights

It’s important to signal your automotive issues to other drivers on the road. Turning on your hazard lights will signal passersby of your stalled vehicle so they can move past without any trouble. This is especially important if you aren’t able to fully pull over.

4. Call a Tow Truck

Even if you can restart your car, calling a tow truck is the best course of action. The issues that led to the malfunction need to be addressed by a professional mechanic as soon as possible. Heading back onto the road will only put you and other drivers at risk.

Cogswell Towing is the most reliable roadside service in the Russellville, AR, area. With nearly 70 years of experience, this company takes pride in being there for customers when unexpected problems strike. Whether you’re dealing with a flat tire or a blown transmission, a tow truck will be on scene in no time. For more information, call (479) 968-4665 or visit the website today.