The procedures you want to have already practiced before you actually need them.
Emergency Kit
Half of staying calm in a roadside situation is having the right thing in the trunk. The other half is having pulled it out before, in your driveway, when the only consequence of getting it wrong is mild embarrassment.
Essential Items
| Item | Purpose |
|---|
| Jumper cables (or jump pack) | Dead battery |
| Jack and lug wrench | Flat tire |
| Spare tire (inflated) | Flat tire |
| Flashlight with batteries | Visibility at night |
| Reflective triangles or flares | Warning other drivers |
| First aid kit | Medical emergencies |
| Blanket | Warmth, ground cover |
| Water (1 gallon) | Drinking, radiator |
| Basic tools | Minor repairs |
| Phone charger | Communication |
| Owner's manual | Reference |
| Pen and paper | Exchange info |
Seasonal Additions
| Season | Items |
|---|
| Winter | Ice scraper, snow brush, kitty litter (traction), extra blanket |
| Summer | Extra water, sunscreen, hat |
| All | Non-perishable snacks, cash |
Advanced Kit
| Item | Purpose |
|---|
| Tire plug kit | Temporary repair |
| Fix-a-Flat | Emergency inflation |
| Tow strap | Pulling/being pulled |
| Multi-tool | Various uses |
| Duct tape | Temporary fixes |
| Tire gauge | Check pressure |
| Work gloves | Protection |
| Rain poncho | Stay dry |
Changing a Flat Tire
The single most likely roadside event. Practice the whole thing once on flat ground at home, with the actual jack from your actual car, and the real version stops being scary.
Finding Safe Location
| Priority | Action |
|---|
| 1. Get off road | Completely if possible |
| 2. Flat, firm surface | No inclines, soft shoulders |
| 3. Away from traffic | As far as safely possible |
| 4. Visible | Others can see you |
| 5. Turn on hazards | Immediately |
Step-by-Step
| Step | Instructions |
|---|
| 1. Safety first | Hazards on, parking brake set |
| 2. Get equipment | Jack, wrench, spare from trunk |
| 3. Set warning devices | Triangles 50-100 feet behind |
| 4. Locate jack point | Check owner's manual |
| 5. Loosen lug nuts | While tire is on ground, lefty-loosey |
| 6. Position jack | At proper lift point |
| 7. Raise vehicle | Until tire clears ground |
| 8. Remove lug nuts | Put somewhere safe |
| 9. Remove flat tire | Pull toward you |
| 10. Mount spare | Align holes, push on |
| 11. Hand-tighten lugs | Star pattern |
| 12. Lower vehicle | Until tire touches ground |
| 13. Fully tighten lugs | Star pattern, as tight as possible |
| 14. Lower completely | Remove jack |
| 15. Check spare pressure | Should be proper PSI |
| 16. Stow equipment | Put everything back |
| 17. Get tire repaired | Don't delay |
Jack Point Locations
- Check owner's manual for your vehicle
- Usually reinforced areas behind front wheels and in front of rear wheels
- Never jack on plastic parts or suspension components
- Look for notches or reinforced frame sections
Spare Tire Limitations
| Type | Max Speed | Max Distance |
|---|
| Full-size spare | Normal | Indefinite |
| Compact/donut | 50 mph | 50-70 miles |
| Run-flat | 50 mph | 50 miles (varies) |
Jump-Starting a Dead Battery
The connection order is the only part that matters. Wrong order and you arc on the battery, which is loud, briefly alarming, and occasionally damaging.
What You Need
| Item | Notes |
|---|
| Jumper cables | Quality, 10+ feet |
| OR jump pack | Portable, self-contained |
| Running vehicle | With good battery |
Connection Order
| Step | Connection |
|---|
| 1 | Red to DEAD positive (+) |
| 2 | Red to GOOD positive (+) |
| 3 | Black to GOOD negative (-) |
| 4 | Black to DEAD engine metal (ground) |
Procedure
| Step | Instructions |
|---|
| 1. Position vehicles | Not touching, batteries accessible |
| 2. Both off | Keys out |
| 3. Connect cables | Order above, firmly |
| 4. Start good car | Let run 5 minutes |
| 5. Try dead car | Should start |
| 6. If not starting | Check connections, wait longer |
| 7. Once started | Leave running |
| 8. Disconnect | Reverse order of connection |
| 9. Drive 30+ minutes | Recharge battery |
Using a Jump Pack
| Step | Instructions |
|---|
| 1. Verify charge | Should be ready |
| 2. Connect red to positive | On dead battery |
| 3. Connect black to ground | Engine metal |
| 4. Turn on pack | If required |
| 5. Start car | |
| 6. Disconnect | After running |
When Jump Won't Work
| Symptom | Possible Issue |
|---|
| Clicks but won't start | Starter, not battery |
| Nothing at all | Bad connection, dead battery |
| Starts then dies | Alternator, other issue |
| Keeps needing jumps | Battery replacement needed |
Overheating
The clock starts the moment the gauge climbs into the red. Driving an overheated engine for even a few minutes can warp a head and end the day at the salvage yard.
| Step | Action |
|---|
| 1. Pull over safely | As soon as possible |
| 2. Turn off A/C | Reduce load |
| 3. Turn on heater full | Helps cool engine |
| 4. Open windows | You'll be hot |
| 5. If in traffic | Put in neutral, rev slightly |
| 6. Once stopped | Turn off engine |
| 7. Pop hood | From inside, don't open yet |
After Stopping
| Step | Action |
|---|
| 1. Wait 30+ minutes | Engine must cool |
| 2. Do NOT open radiator cap | Even after waiting |
| 3. Check coolant reservoir | Add if low |
| 4. Look for leaks | Under car, in engine bay |
| 5. Check hoses | For damage |
| 6. Restart when cool | Monitor temperature |
If You Must Drive
| Action | Why |
|---|
| Wait until temperature normal | Driving hot causes damage |
| Go short distances | Stop if temperature rises |
| Keep heater on | Helps cool engine |
| Drive gently | Less heat generation |
| Get to mechanic | Have issue diagnosed |
Common Causes
| Cause | Signs |
|---|
| Low coolant | Check reservoir level |
| Leak | Puddle under car |
| Thermostat stuck | Sudden overheat |
| Water pump failure | Noise, no circulation |
| Radiator blocked | Check for debris |
| Fan failure | Check if fan runs |
Accident Procedures
You will be rattled. That is normal. The procedure exists so you can run it on autopilot until the rest of your brain catches up.
At the Scene
| Priority | Action |
|---|
| 1. Safety | Move to safe location if possible |
| 2. Hazards on | Alert other drivers |
| 3. Check for injuries | Call 911 if any injuries |
| 4. Move vehicles if possible | If minor and blocking traffic |
| 5. Set up warnings | Flares or triangles |
| From Other Driver | Details |
|---|
| Name | Full legal name |
| Phone number | For contact |
| Insurance company | Name and policy number |
| Driver's license | Number and state |
| License plate | Number and state |
| Vehicle | Make, model, color |
Document Everything
| Document | How |
|---|
| Photos of damage | All vehicles, all angles |
| Photos of scene | Road, signs, conditions |
| Photos of license plates | All involved vehicles |
| Photos of other driver's info | Insurance card, license |
| Written notes | What happened, when, where |
| Witness info | Names, phone numbers |
What NOT to Do
| Don't | Why |
|---|
| Admit fault | Even if you think you're at fault |
| Argue | Stay calm, just exchange info |
| Leave scene | Even for minor accidents |
| Sign anything | Except police report |
| Give recorded statement | To other insurance without yours |
Police Report
| When Required | Notes |
|---|
| Any injuries | Always call police |
| Significant damage | Check local laws |
| Other driver uncooperative | Protects you |
| Criminal activity | DUI, hit and run |
| Dispute over fault | Documentation helps |
Dealing with a Breakdown
A breakdown is a flat tire's bigger cousin: same first steps, longer wait, and you're not getting back on the road on your own.
When You Break Down
| Step | Action |
|---|
| 1. Safety | Pull completely off road |
| 2. Hazards | Turn on immediately |
| 3. Warning devices | Triangles behind car |
| 4. Stay in/near car | Safer than walking on highway |
| 5. Call for help | Roadside assistance, family, 911 |
| 6. Be visible | At night, use flashlight |
| 7. Be cautious | With strangers offering help |
Getting Help
| Option | Best For |
|---|
| Roadside assistance (AAA, insurance) | Towing, minor help |
| 911 | Emergencies, highway |
| Tow truck | Getting to mechanic |
| Family/friend | Minor issues, local |
While Waiting
| If Safe to Exit | Stay in Vehicle If |
|---|
| Park on right shoulder | Heavy traffic |
| Stand away from car | Bad weather |
| Behind guardrail | Night time |
| Face traffic | Unsafe area |
| Information | Details |
|---|
| Location | Be specific, mile markers |
| Vehicle | Make, model, color |
| Problem | What happened |
| Destination | Where to tow |
| Keys | Be ready to give them |
Severe Weather Driving
Most weather-related crashes come from drivers who didn't slow down enough, not drivers who didn't have winter tires. Speed and following distance are the two dials to turn.
Heavy Rain
| Action | Why |
|---|
| Slow down | Less hydroplaning |
| Increase following distance | Takes longer to stop |
| Use headlights | Visibility |
| Avoid puddles | Could be deeper than they look |
| If hydroplaning | Ease off gas, don't brake hard |
Ice/Snow
| Action | Why |
|---|
| Reduce speed significantly | Traction reduced |
| Increase following distance | 8-10 seconds |
| Gentle inputs | Steering, braking, gas |
| If sliding | Steer where you want to go |
| Black ice | Looks wet, often on bridges |
Fog
| Action | Why |
|---|
| Low beams only | High beams reflect back |
| Reduce speed | Limited visibility |
| Use fog lights if available | Low to ground |
| Don't stop on road | Pull completely off |
Tornado/Severe Storm
| If Driving | Action |
|---|
| Don't try to outrun | Tornadoes are unpredictable |
| Pull over | Get off road |
| Get lower than road | Ditch if necessary |
| Cover head | Protect from debris |
| Avoid overpasses | Not good shelter |
Key Takeaways
- Preparation prevents panic; the kit lives in the trunk, not on the shopping list
- Secure the scene before anything else; hazards on, vehicle off the road, warning triangles out
- Practice changing a tire at home once before you need it on the shoulder of an interstate
- Stay with the vehicle in most cases; it's the most visible thing around
- Document accidents thoroughly; photos and written notes save you later
- A roadside assistance plan is cheap insurance against the worst case
- Calm thinking is the actual emergency tool; the kit just supports it
Next Steps
Continue to 06-buying-selling.md for the decisions that happen before any of this matters: choosing the right car in the first place.