How to find out why your car broke down?

You’ve probably experienced trying to leave for work in the morning, only to find out that your car won’t start. Yes, your car has broken down!

First of all, don’t panic — there are several possible solutions to your problem!

So, what are they? Follow us, we’ll explain everything!

Where did your car break down?

The level of danger isn’t the same if your car broke down in front of your home or on the highway.

Car breakdown on the highway

Pull over onto the emergency lane. Stay as far to the right as possible and switch on your hazard warning lights.

Before getting out of the car, put on your high-visibility safety vest and place a warning triangle.

Do not stay in the emergency lane, even inside the vehicle. Stand behind the safety barrier, well upstream from your car.

It is recommended to use only the emergency call boxes to request assistance — do not use your mobile phone to make a call.

When you call from these emergency boxes, you are connected directly to the motorway operator. These boxes are geolocated, which helps emergency services find you more quickly.

Car breakdown at home

If your car breaks down in front of your home, the situation is much less risky. You might be late for work or dropping your children off at school!

But did you know that if you’ve subscribed to zero-kilometre roadside assistance, a tow truck can come and pick up your vehicle right from your home and take it to the garage of your choice? Your insurance might also provide you with a rental car for a limited time if you selected this option in your policy.

Dashboard warning lights: what they mean and what the colours indicate

You probably learned this when you passed your driving test — your car’s dashboard has many warning lights, each with a specific meaning. Their colour also tells you how serious the issue is:

• Orange warning light: you can keep driving
• Red warning light: you must stop immediately and contact a mechanic

If your car has broken down, the warning lights might help you understand what’s wrong. Always check them before calling a mechanic!

How can I find out why my car broke down?

Even after checking the warning lights, you might still not know why your car won’t start. In this case, there are several places where your car can be diagnosed.

The first that comes to mind is, of course, a garage… but there are different types:

• The dealership garage
• The auto service centre
• The independent mechanic
• The community garage
• The self-service garage

Another option, not widely known, is to fix the problem yourself. The first step is to run a car diagnostic by connecting a Car Diagnostics Scanner to your vehicle’s OBD port. The scan will give you detailed information about the issue, helping you decide whether you can fix it on your own.

That’s it for our article on how to fix your car. If you have tips or questions, feel free to leave a comment below.

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