Tips For Surviving A Vehicle Breakdown In Winter
A vehicle breakdown is never a good experience. You’re driving to get to your destination to get there as soon and safely possible, but suddenly you encounter the unexpected breakdown and are left stranded on the road with no help in sight. The experience is made worse when it happens in winter, and you don’t have the slightest clue of what you should do next.
Vehicle breakdowns are pretty common. Although modern vehicles are more reliable than older cars, anything can happen when you’re on the road, maybe the other driver wasn’t careful enough, and you end up crashing into each other. For this reason, a driver must always be prepared for the unforeseen event and should know how to handle car breakdowns, especially in winter, as road emergencies can become deadly in Canada’s icy winter.
Below we discuss our top tips to help you deal with a car breakdown in this chilly season.
Stay Inside Your Vehicle
Staying inside your vehicle is the most important of all tips. When your car breaks down in winter, staying inside is the smartest thing to do, unless your car engine catches fire, then you should pull over, shut off the engine, and get out of the car to get somewhere safe until help arrives. However, if your car broke down for other reasons, it is best to wait inside the vehicle until a towing company arrives.
Staying in your car is recommended because it will help to keep you warm, dry, and comfortable. It will also help prevent you from catching hypothermia, frostbite, and other such medical conditions that can arise due to cold weather. When waiting in your car, make sure to turn on your emergency flashers and that your exhaust pipes aren’t blocked by snow. Also, run the engine occasionally for warmth and keep a window slightly open for better ventilation.
Do Not Dig Your Car Out Of Snow
If your vehicle is stuck in the snow and becomes immovable, then it might seem like a common practice to dig your car out of the snow yourself. However, shoveling snow away from your car’s tires is often ineffective and causes you to lose energy, and may lead to frostbite and hypothermia.
Therefore, instead of randomly digging your car out of a snowbank, call a tow company and wait for them to arrive. It is essential to conserve your energy and protect your body from cold and snow instead of getting your car unstuck from the snow.
Ventilate Your Car
If your vehicle is stuck in a snowstorm, it is essential to make sure your car is well ventilated to minimize the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning. Also, make sure that you clear any snow from inside and around your vehicle’s exhaust pipe. Ventilation is even more important if you occasionally turn on your engine to warm your car while you’re waiting for help to arrive.
Call For Help
Calling the best and the most professional towing company within your region is a no-brainer. But when you’re in a panic, you might forget this critical step in surviving this situation. Moreover, some people make the mistake of choosing against the idea of calling a tow company because they think they can solve the problem themself.
However, this can prove dangerous and even fatal in some situations, especially if the forecast predicts snowstorms for the day. For this reason, it is essential to always call a tow company when trying to handle a vehicle breakdown in winter.
Action Towing offers quick and affordable emergency towing services in Edmonton to help tow your vehicle to a safer place where professional car mechanics can help you repair your car.
