Breakdowns and emergencies

By the end of this topic you can

• You can keep control of the car after a tyre blowout.
• You can describe what to do if the brakes fail or the accelerator sticks.
• You can pull over and make your car visible after a breakdown.
• You can pass a stopped tow truck or emergency vehicle legally and safely.

What you need to know and understand

• A front tyre blowout pulls the car towards the side of the flat tyre; a rear blowout tends to make the car sway.
• After a blowout, grip the wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator and brake gently only once you have control.
• If the accelerator sticks, select neutral or press the clutch, brake firmly and stop off the road.
• Turn on your hazard lights when your car is broken down in a hazardous position.
• In NSW, you must slow to 40 km/h when passing a stopped tow truck, breakdown or emergency vehicle with flashing lights where the limit is 80 km/h or less. Rules for these vehicles vary by state.
• If your car stalls on a railway crossing and a train is coming, get everyone out and away immediately.

Tyre blowout

1. Hold the steering wheel firmly with both hands.
2. Do not brake hard and do not oversteer to correct the pull or sway.
3. Take your foot off the accelerator and let the car slow down.
4. Once you have control, brake gently.
5. Indicate, pull well off the road in a safe place and stop.
6. Turn on your hazard lights. Only change the tyre if you are well away from traffic.

Brake failure and a stuck accelerator

If the brake pedal goes down but the car does not slow, pump the pedal hard and fast, change down to a lower gear (manual or automatic), and apply the park brake gently. Use your horn and lights to warn others, steer to the side of the road and stop with the park brake.

If the car keeps going after you lift off the accelerator, press the clutch or select neutral in an automatic, brake firmly without locking the wheels, steer off the road and switch off the engine once stopped.

When you break down

• Move as far left and as far from traffic as you can, ideally onto a shoulder or breakdown lane.
• Turn on your hazard lights, and parking lights if visibility is poor.
• If it is safe, stay in the car with your seatbelt on and call for roadside help.
• If you must get out, use the side away from traffic, check first, and move behind a barrier if there is one.
• Wear a high-visibility vest if you have one. Carrying a vest and torch is a good habit.
• In a tunnel, pull into a breakdown bay or to the side, turn on hazards and the radio, and stay in the car.

Common mistakes

• Slamming on the brakes after a blowout. This can spin the car; ease off and steer straight first.
• Standing beside the car on the traffic side. Move well away from moving traffic.
• Changing a tyre on the edge of a busy road. Drive slowly to a safer spot or call for help.
• Not slowing for a tow truck or emergency vehicle with flashing lights. Slow down and move over where you can.
• Skipping basic checks. Check fuel, oil, water and tyre pressures, including the spare, regularly.

Test yourself: Breakdowns and emergencies

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Car Emergencies in Australia