What Should You Do if Your Car Breaks Down in Baltimore, MD?

We know you take care of your Toyota Corolla, Camry, or RAV4, but when the unforeseen happens and your car breaks down on the roads in and around Baltimore, MD, don’t stress. Use the car breakdown tips below to keep yourself and your vehicle safe.

Turn On Your Hazard Lights and Get Your Car off the Road

If you’ve got car trouble on the road, you should first turn on your hazard lights. If you can still drive your car, immediately look for a safe place and pull over. Park on the right-hand shoulder as far away from the traffic as you can. You can also pull over on your left shoulder if you break down on a highway or interstate. Please make sure you don’t turn off your hazard lights and ensure they stay on until help arrives.

Make Your Vehicle Visible to Other Drivers

Your broken-down car doesn’t just put you at risk but also other drivers. You want to make sure that your vehicle is visible. If your car is safely on the shoulder, open your hood to let other drivers know you have car trouble. Place your reflective warning triangle approximately ten feet directly behind your car.

To take extra precautions and make your vehicle even more visible, put one triangle behind the right side of your car and one about 100 feet away in line with the middle of your vehicle. If you can’t get your car off the road, hang a brightly colored piece of fabric out of your window and if it’s after dark, turn on your cabin light.

Make a Note of Your Surroundings

Now that you’ve made sure your car is visible, find out exactly where you are. If you’ve got a pen and paper handy, write down the street name and any road signs or landmarks you can see to make it easy to find your car. If you’re on a highway, write down the mile marker or the last exit number.

Call for Roadside Assistance

Call your dealership for roadside assistance when you are sure that your car is clearly visible to other drivers and you know exactly where you are. If your vehicle is standing safely on the shoulder, it’s best to stay in your car and to keep the doors locked until help arrives. If your car broke down on the road and you can’t move it, especially on a highway or interstate, exit your vehicle carefully, check for traffic, and wait on the shoulder.

Avoid getting stranded next to the road by keeping your Toyota in top shape. To ensure your Toyota won’t let you down, schedule a service appointment with our DARCARS Service Center. The qualified Toyota technicians will ensure your vehicle is in top running condition and that it will help you get to your destination. Want to learn more about maintaining your Toyota? We have you covered!

Tags: Car Breakdown, Car Tips & Tricks, safety tips
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