Move a Stranded Car
Most car owners are unaware of basic functional parts of their own cars. So when it stops in the highway, a few fundamental check ups will tell the driver whether the vehicle can be pushed by someone or if it has to be towed instead.
Contents
Steps
- Check to see if there is any leakage or blockage in the flow of fuel. If there is fuel in the tank when the vehicle flutters, jitters, has abnormal and intermittent jerks before it stopped, stop the leakage, if any, with soap, glue, string, tape, or whatever you can find that could stop it. If there is a blockage, however, you are helpless.
- Check the electrical system, especially the ignition wires, fuse box, loose wiring, air conditioning coil, battery charge, and the electrical fuel pump. If the vehicle halted suddenly with surprising smoothness, you might be able to fix loose wires to where they should be connected. If you do this, remove a terminal of the battery, or else there will be sparks.
- If the fuse is blown, you can either replace it with another fuse available in that box, which only controls devices like the horn and lights, or take some silver paper of a cigarette pack, roll it to the shape of the fuse, and put it in the place of fused fuse. If the battery is completely discharged, stop another vehicle nearby and bench charge from that vehicle. Your car can be started once and moved until you reach a garage, without starting the engine.
- Check the spark plugs if the engine starts but runs erratic. By cleaning the dirty one(s) you may be able to move again.
Tips
- Always read the car manual at least once, and be able to identify the parts mentioned therein physically.
- Keep the manual in the car's glove compartment.
- Know the procedure of bench charging your battery from another car battery.
- Keep a small bar of soap, glues, tough threads, tapes, and a cigarette foil handy.
- Keep some tobacco in powder form, which can be used on the windshield. When the wipers fail, rub it on the windshield glass to restore some visibility.
- If your brakes fail while going downhill, change to the first gear(in a Manual or stick shift car) and ram the vehicle to the hilly side of the road. Then, dive in the opposite direction!
- Keep a sharp knife inside the glove compartment, which can cut the seat belt in an accident, helping you escape from a possible fire or drowning if in water, for there are times when the seat belt gets jammed after a severe accident.
Warnings
- Always keep the mobile number of a service station for emergency help to tow your vehicle, because self help is not always possible.
- Never something other than a fuse (of the same amperage) to replace a blown fuse, it can cause a fire or damage your electric system.
