Safety Tips: What to Do When You Breakdown

Breaking down on the side of the road is stressful anywhere, but in a foreign country with potential language barriers, it can feel overwhelming. This guide will help you handle a breakdown safely and efficiently, no matter where you are in Latin America.

Immediate Steps: The First 60 Seconds

When your car starts having problems, your first priority is safety:

1. Stay Calm and Alert

Panic leads to poor decisions. Take a deep breath and focus on getting to safety.

2. Get Off the Road

• Turn on your hazard lights immediately
• Look for a safe place to pull over—a shoulder, parking lot, or side street
• If possible, exit the roadway completely
• On highways, try to reach an exit or wide shoulder
• Avoid stopping on curves or hills where you can't be seen

3. Make Your Vehicle Visible

• Keep hazard lights on
• If it's dark, turn on interior lights
• Place emergency triangles 50-100 meters behind your vehicle
• If you have flares, use them (required by law in some countries)

Assess Your Situation

Before doing anything else, understand what you're dealing with:

Is It Safe to Stay With Your Car?

Stay with your vehicle if:

• You're in a relatively safe location
• Weather conditions are manageable
• Traffic isn't a immediate threat
• You have cell service and can call for help

Leave your vehicle if:

• You smell fuel or see smoke
• Your car is in a dangerous position (blocking traffic)
• You feel unsafe due to your location
• Traffic makes staying near the car risky

What Caused the Problem?

Try to identify the issue:

• Flat tire: Thumping sound, pulling to one side, vibration
• Overheating: Temperature gauge high, steam from hood
• Dead battery: No start, dim lights, clicking sound
• Out of fuel: Engine sputtering, then stopping
• Mechanical failure: Strange noises, loss of power, warning lights

Calling for Help

With ExpatAutoAssist

1. Call our 24/7 English-speaking hotline
2. Provide your membership number
3. Describe your location as precisely as possible
4. Explain what happened and what help you need
5. Stay on the line—we'll coordinate everything

Sharing Your Location

Precise location is critical for getting help quickly:

• GPS coordinates: Share from Google Maps or your phone's compass app
• What3Words: Download this app—it gives every 3m square a unique address
• Landmarks: Note nearby businesses, signs, kilometer markers
• Road name: Look for signs indicating route numbers
• Direction of travel: Which way were you heading?

What You Can Do While Waiting

If It's a Flat Tire

If you're comfortable changing a tire and it's safe to do so:

1. Make sure you're on flat, stable ground
2. Apply parking brake
3. Place wheel wedges or rocks behind tires
4. Loosen lug nuts before jacking
5. Jack up the vehicle
6. Remove lug nuts and flat tire
7. Mount spare and hand-tighten lug nuts
8. Lower vehicle and fully tighten lug nuts in star pattern

Important: If you're on a busy highway, in the dark, or in an unsafe area, wait for professional help.

If It's Overheating

• Turn off the A/C
• Turn on the heater to draw heat from the engine
• Do NOT open the radiator cap when hot
• Wait at least 30 minutes before checking coolant
• If you need to add coolant, do so slowly with the engine running

If It Won't Start

• Check that you're in Park (automatic) or Neutral (manual)
• Try turning off all accessories and trying again
• If it clicks, it's likely the battery
• If you have jumper cables and a helpful stranger, you may be able to jump start

Safety While Waiting

Staying Visible

• Wear bright clothing if you exit the vehicle
• Stand well away from traffic
• Keep emergency lights on
• If at night, use a flashlight to signal to approaching traffic

Dealing With Strangers

People may stop to offer help. Use your judgment:

• You can accept help, but trust your instincts
• Stay outside the vehicle when talking to strangers
• Don't feel obligated to accept help that makes you uncomfortable
• It's okay to say "Help is already on the way, thank you"
• Note license plates or details if something feels wrong

Protecting Yourself

• Keep doors locked if staying in your car
• Keep your phone charged and accessible
• Stay aware of your surroundings
• Don't advertise valuables
• If you feel threatened, call emergency services (911 in most countries)

When Help Arrives

Verify the Service Provider

• Confirm they were sent by ExpatAutoAssist (or whoever you called)
• Check that truck/uniform matches what you were told to expect
• Ask for identification if uncertain

Before Towing

• Remove valuables from your car
• Take photos of your car's condition
• Confirm where your car will be taken
• Get the tow driver's name and contact info
• Understand any costs involved

With ExpatAutoAssist—No Money Changes Hands

When you're an ExpatAutoAssist member:

• We've already arranged payment with the service provider
• You don't need to negotiate or pay on the spot
• Avoid the stress of handling transactions in a foreign language
• No risk of being overcharged or scammed

Special Situations

Breakdown at Night

• Priority is being visible—use all lights and reflectors
• Stay inside your locked car if possible
• Park under street lights when available
• Keep phone battery for emergencies—limit browsing

Breakdown in a Remote Area

• Cell service may be limited—try moving to higher ground
• If you have a satellite communicator, use it
• Conserve resources—water, phone battery, fuel
• Stay with your vehicle—it's easier to find than a person

Breakdown in the Rain

• Stay inside your vehicle
• Don't attempt roadside repairs in heavy rain
• Be aware of flash flood potential—move to higher ground if needed
• Keep windows slightly open to prevent fogging

Emergency Kit Essentials

After the Breakdown

Follow Up

• Get a diagnosis and repair estimate
• Ask about parts availability—some may need to be ordered
• Get recommendations for a trusted mechanic if needed
• Consider alternative transportation while car is being fixed

Learn From It

• Was there a warning sign you missed?
• Is your maintenance schedule adequate?
• Do you need better emergency supplies?
• Would GPS tracking have helped?

Key Takeaways

1. Safety first: Get off the road and make yourself visible
2. Stay calm: Clear thinking leads to better outcomes
3. Call for help: You don't have to handle this alone
4. Know your location: Precise coordinates speed up help
5. Be prepared: The right supplies make all the difference

Breakdowns are never convenient, but with the right preparation and support, they don't have to be disasters. Keep ExpatAutoAssist in your contacts, maintain your emergency kit, and drive with confidence knowing help is just a phone call away.