What to do if your car breaks down?

[Rodimus Prime]

Do you and your dad not drive much, or do I drive a lot? I bought my car new about a year and a half old. So far, it has around 32,000 miles on it.

My dad puts on his car around 15-20k a year. My car on the other hand for the first 3 years I was only doing like 9k a year on it. Next year I did something like 20k and then 15k. Now it is dropped back off.

Those high years line up with me having a job. After I got laid off the amount of driving dropped a lot more.

As to figure out how much you drive the average car gets between 12-15k miles on it per year. 15k being the high side.

 

[dukebound85]

I have never experienced a car with warranty and don't feel stressed at all in this age of cell phones. Maybe if I didn't have a way to reach anyone, that would suck!

My car is 20 years old and in the 10 years I have had it, it has died on me quite a few times (bad batt, alternator, and distributer) as well as other issues (flats, leaky radiator, bad distributer.) Have also been stuck in the snow many a time and had to dig myself out (never fun)

With that said, last year I picked up AAA as a safety net as they provide a great service as well as enables one to many discounts while traveling

 

[rdowns]

AAA ftw!

Must be fun dodging those things in your plane.

 

[Mac'nCheese]

Every driver that can afford it should have aaa.

 

[yg17]

I have insurance through Progressive and they offer roadside assistance for something like $5 every 6 months. As do most insurance companies I believe. If you can't afford that, you shouldn't be driving.

 

[xlii]

In over 42 years of driving I've been unable to limp home 3 times.
Water Pump went (1 time)
Timing Module died (2 times)

Like others, I'd recommend AAA. It's reasonably priced and over the years they've proven themselves to be reliable.

 

[Tomorrow]

Is it being suggested that if there is a traffic accident without injuries, and you want a police report, you cannot call 911 for assistance?

If someone is hurt, call 911 - otherwise, no.

Why a police report in the first place? Unless someone was clearly breaking a criminal law (traffic laws are not criminal), you don't need a police report; just exchange insurance information and be on your way.

I don't have AAA but have heard great things about them. I have roadside coverage through my insurance company, it's about a dollar a month for both cars. I can get a tow, a jumpstart, a couple gallons of gas, get unlocked if I lose my keys AND forget the door code, etc.

Um...you DO have insurance, don't you?

 

[wpotere]

Why a police report in the first place? Unless someone was clearly breaking a criminal law (traffic laws are not criminal), you don't need a police report; just exchange insurance information and be on your way.

Until someone decides not to pay.... Best to have the report just in case you have to sue.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Why a police report in the first place? Unless someone was clearly breaking a criminal law (traffic laws are not criminal), you don't need a police report; just exchange insurance information and be on your way.

:

Well some states have a law that states if over $1000 dollar worth of damage was done a police report needs to be filed. Insurance companies like reports for damages over $1000. It also makes sure everyone pays. Plus calling the cops they will file the report instead of you having to do it your self.

When I got into a wreck 2 years ago no one was hurt but still needed to call the police. First the woman I hit was little bitchy 2nd my car was not going as eletrical system was shot. Found out later it was the 120A was destroyed in the crash so I could not do anything. Cops came nicely block traffic for the tow truck.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

Yeah no ****, right?
Before I got my license I learned to change my oil, my tire, and my battery. I learned to jump start my car and learned what roadside service I had and what they were good for. I learned what to do if stopped on a freeway and who to call. It is totally inane to me that parents and/or drivers education courses aren't teaching this today.

No doubt.... I'm amazed at how many people I know who have no clue how to take care of a car. Even if you have the cake to get all your maintainance done at the stealership, it's still good to understand the procedures and importance of them.

BTW... your current avatar is awesome Jessica.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Yeah no ****, right?
Before I got my license I learned to change my oil, my tire, and my battery. I learned to jump start my car and learned what roadside service I had and what they were good for. I learned what to do if stopped on a freeway and who to call. It is totally inane to me that parents and/or drivers education courses aren't teaching this today.

I have to agree with you that it is very disturbing how many people out there do not know how to do basic things on their car.
Changing the oil, and air filter I think everyone should know how to do. Does not mean they have to do them but at least know how at the very least checking the oil and other fluids.

And very important is know how to put on the spare tire. I know plenty of people if they had a blow out they would be SOL for a long time because they would have no clue how to change a tire. I have changed one of my tires in a parking lot 3-4 times now. 1 of them being with me in in of snow and the temp somewhere in the teens. Learned afterwards that I could of just called a quick number and the TTU would of provided someone to do it for me but still I knew how to do it and did it.

Now something I think everyone should carry in their car is a can of fix-a-flat. Great thing to get yourself moving quickly. I would use it on my current car but my tires are low profile and therefor can not use it. Now 2 of my parking lot tire changes that would not of help at 1 was a blow out and the other was from me hitting some a something in the road and it slicing my side wall.