Even with good maintenance, a breakdown can happen to anyone, and knowing how to handle one safely is just as important as knowing how to prevent it. A little preparation can keep a stressful situation on a busy road around Franklin from becoming a dangerous one.
If you sense trouble while driving, try to move to a safe location as far off the road as possible, ideally a shoulder, parking lot, or side street away from traffic. The moment you are stopped, turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers. If you have them, setting out reflective triangles or flares behind your vehicle gives approaching traffic more warning, which matters a great deal at highway speed or after dark.
One of the most important decisions is whether to stay in your vehicle or get out. On a busy highway, it is often safest to remain buckled inside with your seatbelt on if you cannot get well away from traffic, since standing beside the road near passing cars is dangerous. If you must exit, do so on the side away from traffic when possible. Keep your phone charged so you can call for help, and know who you would call. Staying calm and visible is the priority.
At Quick Auto and Exhaust in Franklin, we would rather help you avoid a breakdown in the first place with regular inspections and maintenance. If your vehicle has been showing warning signs, do not wait for it to leave you stranded. Bring it to our Franklin shop and let us catch the problem early.