Here’s what to do if your car breaks down: turn on your hazard lights, move to a safe spot, stay visible, and call Five Star Roadside at 1(800)-497-5860 for fast, reliable help anywhere in our 42 service cities.
Step 1: Stay Safe First No Matter Where the Breakdown Happens
The very first thing to do if a car breaks down is to protect yourself and others.
To start, turn on your hazard lights immediately so approaching drivers notice you. If you’re on a highway or bridge, steer your car to the shoulder or as far right as possible. If you break down in a tunnel or on a narrow road, try to move slowly until you reach a safer area. At home or in a parking lot, safety means staying visible and avoiding standing behind or in front of the car.
Think of it this way: your car breaking down is like suddenly stopping in the middle of a race—everyone else is still moving fast. Making yourself visible gives them time to slow down before reaching you.
Step 2: Diagnose Your Situation Before Acting
Every breakdown has a different cause, so the next step is identifying the problem.
To check, notice if your car shows specific signs:
- If the engine won’t start and the lights are dim, the battery may be dead.
- If the car feels shaky and you hear a thumping sound, it’s likely a flat tire.
- If the fuel gauge is low or blinking, the issue is running out of gas.
- If keys are locked inside, you’re facing a lockout.
- If the car suddenly stalls after starting, it might need a jump start.
Diagnosing quickly helps you decide whether you can fix the issue yourself or need professional roadside assistance.
Step 3: Use the Right Solution Based on the Breakdown Type
What To Do If Car Breaks Down With a Flat Tire
The best step is to move to a safe spot, use your spare tire and jack, and replace it carefully. If you don’t have the tools or skills, call Five Star Roadside for a fast tire change.
What To Do If Car Breaks Down With a Dead Battery
The right step is to use jumper cables and another vehicle if available. If you’re alone or at night, a professional jump start service is the safest way.
What To Do If Car Breaks Down Because You’re Out of Gas
The quick fix is emergency fuel delivery. You can walk to the nearest gas station if it’s safe, but in bad weather, rain, snow, or rural areas, call 1(800)-497-5860 for gas delivery instead.
What To Do If Car Breaks Down With Keys Locked Inside
The safe choice is professional lockout service. Trying to force the door or window can cause expensive damage.
What To Do If Car Breaks Down and Won’t Start at All
The smart option is to contact a roadside assistance team. This prevents wasting hours guessing the problem and gets your vehicle moving faster.
Step 4: Adapt Based on Location and Time
Because not all breakdowns happen in the same place, how you react should depend on where you are.
- On highways or interstates → Stay inside the vehicle with seatbelts on until help arrives.
- In cities or residential areas → Push the car to the side if possible, and avoid blocking traffic.
- At night or in fog → Use reflective triangles or flares if you have them.
- In snow or winter storms → Keep warm by staying inside, running the heater in intervals, and conserving battery power.
- With kids or pets → Keep them calm, safe, and inside the car until help comes.
Every situation is unique, but the goal is the same: stay safe until the problem is resolved.
Step 5: Call for Professional Help to End the Breakdown Stress
The final and most reliable step is reaching out for assistance.
Because not every problem can be solved on the spot, contacting a professional service ensures you get the right solution. Five Star Roadside offers:
- Tire change service
- Jump start service
- Emergency gas delivery
- Car lockout assistance
- On-site battery replacement
With coverage in 42 U.S. cities, calling 1(800)-497-5860 connects you to a team that can handle your exact situation quickly.
FAQ
What to do if a car breaks down on the highway?
The first thing to do if a car breaks down on the highway is to turn on hazard lights, steer to the shoulder, and stay inside the car with your seatbelt fastened until help arrives. Calling a service like Five Star Roadside at 1(800)-497-5860 is the safest next step.
How to handle a car breakdown at home?
To handle a car breakdown at home, start by checking if the issue is simple, like a dead battery or flat tire. If you can’t fix it with your own tools, calling roadside assistance saves time and gets the vehicle running again.
What should I do if my car breaks down with no phone?
The best action if your car breaks down with no phone is to stay calm, look for nearby emergency phones, or flag down a safe, trustworthy source of help. If you’re near populated areas, walking carefully to a gas station may be an option.
How can I manage a car breakdown in heavy rain?
To manage a car breakdown in heavy rain, move the car off the road if possible, keep your hazard lights on, and avoid standing outside. Waiting in the car until roadside help arrives is usually the safest choice.
How to keep kids safe if the car breaks down?
To keep kids safe if the car breaks down, keep them seated with seatbelts on, avoid letting them leave the vehicle, and reassure them until professional help comes.
What to do if my car breaks down while traveling with pets?
The right step if your car breaks down with pets is to keep them secure inside the vehicle, maintain ventilation, and avoid leaving them unattended in extreme weather. Calling for roadside assistance quickly reduces stress for both you and your pets.
What actions are needed if a car breaks down on a bridge?
The actions needed if a car breaks down on a bridge include switching on hazard lights, staying inside the vehicle, and contacting professional help immediately. Exiting the car on a bridge can be more dangerous than waiting inside.
How to react if a car breaks down inside a tunnel?
To react properly if a car breaks down in a tunnel, turn on hazard lights, keep doors closed, and remain inside the car. If possible, use emergency phones or tunnel assistance systems to call for Five Star Roadside help.
Can I fix a car breakdown myself without roadside assistance?
Yes, you can fix a breakdown yourself if it’s minor—like changing a tire or jump-starting the battery. For more serious issues, professional roadside help is the safest and fastest option.
Which items should every driver keep in the car to manage a sudden breakdown?
The items include a spare tire, jack, jumper cables, reflective triangles, flashlight, first aid kit, extra phone charger, and Five Star Roadside contact number 1(800)-497-5860.
Why should I call Five Star Roadside if my car breaks down in United States?
Because Five Star Roadside covers 42 U.S. cities and offers tire changes, jump starts, fuel delivery, lockout service, and battery replacement, calling 1(800)-497-5860 gives immediate access to trusted help.
When is it necessary to call the police during a car breakdown?
It is necessary to call the police when the vehicle stops in a dangerous area like a tunnel, bridge, or major highway where traffic flow is blocked and safety requires official assistance.