Roadside Emergencies

Handling breakdowns, accidents, and emergencies on the road.

Emergency Kit

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

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

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

Immediate Response

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

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

Information to Collect

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

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 for Tow Truck

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

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 - Keep emergency kit stocked
Safety first - Always secure the scene before anything
Know basic procedures - Practice changing tire at home
Stay with vehicle - Usually safest place to wait
Document accidents thoroughly - Photos, notes, info
Have roadside assistance - Worth the peace of mind
Stay calm - Clear thinking in emergencies