A car breakdown is definitely at the top of the list of most stressful things to happen ever. Sometimes, it takes an incredibly long time for help to get to you. It is in these instances that you pull up this article and let us help you out with some very basic tips.

Note: These are very basic emergency steps. In no way should you rely on this article like a mechanic.

#1 Figuring Out What’s Wrong
Your car can’t start. Great. First, tick off this list of common symptoms below and see if your car is able to start. You might as well. Help is still on the way.

Photo Source: Coastal Mitsubishi — Photo Source: *Coastal Mitsubishi*

a. The car is silent when you turn the ignition
Your battery terminals may be the issue here. Check the battery terminals to see if they’re corroded. Then, try lodging a screwdriver between the connector and your battery terminal. If your engine can start, you’ll need to replace your cables.

b. There’s a clicking sound when you turn the ignition
A dead battery is the culprit in this case. Flag a passing car and get a jumpstarter ready.

c. The engine runs but your car won’t start
Did you forget to fuel up? Must be the petrol prices, huh?

#2 Jumpstarting Your Car

Photo Source: Dummies.com — Photo Source: *Dummies.com*

A majority of times, your engine won’t start because of a dead battery. Your next step is to flag down a passing driver to help you juice up your car again. It’s amazing how many people don’t know how to jumpstart a car, despite it being one of the most important lessons in driving school.

First, obviously get your kind Samaritan to park his/her car near enough for you to connect your cables. Connect the first end of the RED positive cable to the positive terminal of both batteries. Next, connect the BLACK negative cable to both negative terminals. Always do the positive terminals before the negatives to avoid sparks flying. Once connected, start the engine of the working car. After a minute or so, start your own car. If it doesn’t work, try again for a longer time. Once the engine is running, leave it on for a while to charge the battery. Finally remove the cables; negative first, then positive and make sure they don’t touch metal surfaces. TA-DA!

#3 Punctured Tyres

Photo Source: Daily Mail — Photo Source: *Daily Mail*

Punctured tyres are the worst, but it’s not the end of the world. If you discover that you have a punctured tyre, you really shouldn’t drive it any further to prevent damage to your tyres. Luckily, changing tyres is as easy as ABC. You can do this entirely on your own too, without the help of passers-by.
First, make sure your car is on a flat surface, with the handbrakes up. Then loosen the nuts; remember to turn them counter clockwise. Just loosen them enough so that you can remove them by hand. Place the jack under the frame near the tyre of your car, at the metal portion. Jack your car up until the tyre is off the ground. Remove the nuts completely, then the tyre. Put on the spare tyre, and tighten the nuts. Lower the car until the car is resting on the tyre. Then tighten the nuts again with the wrench. Simple, right?

Now that you know what to do in case of an emergency, try to avoid it as much as you possibly can. And get a professional to look at your car once you have the chance. Did you find our tips helpful? Leave a comment below!

3 Tips for Car Breakdowns