{"organism":"Page","children":[{"organism":"Container.Raw","children":[{"organism":"Metadata","model":{"title":"What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down: Essential Roadside Tips","text":"Read our car breakdown safety tips and learn how to take control of a stressful situation.","links":[{"name":"What to do if your car breaks down","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/what-to-do-if-your-car-breaks-down.html"}],"image":{"src":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/what-to-do-if-your-car-breaks-down/_jcr_content/root/metadata.shellimg.png/1737434807159/car-breakdown.png","alt":"Cropped shot of an unidentifiable woman contacting roadside assistance after breaking down","width":3840,"height":2166},"date":"2025-01-15T12:30:00.000Z","tags":[{"name":"Vehicles","value":"vehicles:"},{"name":"Drive Well","value":"shell:business/business-customers/drive-well"}]},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/what-to-do-if-your-car-breaks-down/jcr_content/root/metadata"},{"organism":"ContentOwner","model":{},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/what-to-do-if-your-car-breaks-down/jcr_content/root/contentowner"},{"organism":"Container.Header","children":[{"organism":"Container.Raw","ref":"https://www.shell.com.au/_jcr_content/root/header/inherited.model.json","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/what-to-do-if-your-car-breaks-down/jcr_content/root/header/inherited","model":{}},{"organism":"Breadcrumb","model":{"links":[{"name":"Home","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/"},{"name":"Shell fuels","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels.html"},{"name":"Go Well Content Hub","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub.html"},{"name":"What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down: Essential Roadside Tips","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/what-to-do-if-your-car-breaks-down.html"}]},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/what-to-do-if-your-car-breaks-down/jcr_content/root/header/breadcrumb"}],"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/what-to-do-if-your-car-breaks-down/jcr_content/root/header","model":{}},{"organism":"Container.Main","children":[{"organism":"Container.Section","children":[{"organism":"PageHeader","color":"inherited","model":{"title":"What to do if your car breaks down","text":"\u003Cp\u003ECar breakdowns are never convenient, but knowing how to handle them can make all the difference. From safely navigating highway emergencies to managing breakdowns at night or with kids and pets, this article will equip you with practical advice to stay calm and prepared.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n","image":{"src":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/what-to-do-if-your-car-breaks-down/_jcr_content/root/main/section/page_header.shellimg.png/1737366288612/car-breakdown-promo.png","alt":"Cropped shot of an unidentifiable woman contacting roadside assistance after breaking down","width":3840,"height":960},"date":"2025-01-15T12:30:00.000Z"},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/what-to-do-if-your-car-breaks-down/jcr_content/root/main/section/page_header"},{"organism":"Container","children":[{"organism":"Author.Info","color":"inherited","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/what-to-do-if-your-car-breaks-down/jcr_content/root/main/section/simple/author_copy","model":{"links":[{"name":"By Shell on January 15, 2025"}],"image":{"src":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/what-to-do-if-your-car-breaks-down/_jcr_content/root/main/section/simple/author_copy.shellimg.png/1737260235157/shell-pecten.png","alt":"shell-pecten","width":2500,"height":1405}}},{"organism":"PromoSimple.Text","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/what-to-do-if-your-car-breaks-down/jcr_content/root/main/section/simple/text_copy","model":{"text":"\u003Cp\u003EIt’s a situation we all dread. You go to start the car and…nothing. You glance down at your warning lights and confirm the battery-draining culprit. Now what?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https://media.bupa.com.au/the-car-breakdowns-and-the-vehicle-models-jamming-up-your-drive/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDead batteries, flat tyres, and engine failures\u003C/a\u003E are the top reasons for car breakdowns in Australia. Knowing what to do can be the difference between keeping your cool and blowing your own bonnet.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHere are our emergency roadside tips on what to do if your car breaks down.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIn the moment: Handling car breakdowns safely\u003C/b\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn the moment: Handling car breakdowns safelyIf smoke starts pouring from your car’s bonnet, naturally you will want to stop as quickly as possible. To \u003Ca href=\"https://transport.vic.gov.au/business/road-and-traffic-management/traffic-incident-management/incident-response-service\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eensure your safety\u003C/a\u003E and that of your passengers, try to pull over away from traffic and use an emergency stopping lane. If this isn’t possible, pull over on the left hard shoulder when it is safe to do so, \u003Ca href=\"https://www.youi.com.au/you-connect/articles-and-guides/what-to-do-if-your-car-breaks-down\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eturn your wheels away from the road\u003C/a\u003E, and put your hazard lights on.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHighway breakdowns require extra precaution, as it can be risky waiting inside your car with vehicles zooming past at 110km/h. So should you stay inside or leave? If conditions allow, have all passengers exit the car through the left passenger side and wait behind the guardrails or as far away from traffic as possible. If you must stay within your car, have everyone keep their seatbelts on.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAnd if a burst tyre is the cause of your breakdown, always pull over on a side road or somewhere away from traffic. You should never attempt to change a flat tyre on a highway.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003ESpecial emergency breakdowns\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBreakdowns can happen anywhere, any time. So what should you do if you're in a situation that is less than ideal?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENight breakdowns\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\nIf it is at night or in poor weather, stay in your car with your doors locked and don’t walk on the road. Keep internal lights on, not just hazards, as this will make you more visible to cars.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBreakdowns with children and pets\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\nThis situation can feel overwhelming quickly. Keep kids and pets calm by joining them in the backseat with seatbelts on. There are some \u003Ca href=\"https://www.racq.com.au/car/roadside-assistance/managing-a-vehicle-breakdown\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esimple steps\u003C/a\u003E to follow when managing a breakdown. Ensure there is ventilation by cracking a window or leaving the air-con running. If it is safe to do, leave the car if it is too hot and wait away from traffic. Snacks and toys are key to keeping little ones preoccupied.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETunnel breakdowns\u003C/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https://www.linkt.com.au/help/travelling-toll-roads/breakdown/sydney\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHandling car breakdowns in a tunnel\u003C/a\u003E has its own set of rules. According to \u003Ca href=\"https://www.linkt.com.au/help/travelling-toll-roads/breakdown/sydney\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELinkt\u003C/a\u003E, you should try to drive out of the tunnel before pulling over or stop in an emergency stopping lane or breakdown bay. If this isn't possible, try to stop in a right or left lane with your hazards and radio on and engine off.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EWho you gonna call?\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you’re a member of \u003Ca href=\"https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/roadside-assistance-australia/roadside-assistance-faqs/roadside-assistance-101.html#:~:text=It%27s%20common%20nowadays%20for%20car,duration%20of%20your%20car%27s%20warranty\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eroadside assistance\u003C/a\u003E such as RACQ or NRMA, they should be your first call. Even if you’re not a member and you need immediate emergency car repairs, you can still call for help. But they are not your only option for roadside assistance in Australia.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMany car dealers offer 24-hour roadside assistance that is under the manufacturer's new-car warranty. It is also worth calling your car insurance, as you may have opted to pay for additional roadside assistance coverage.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you know the damage is beyond roadside repair, you can call a tow truck \u003Ca href=\"https://harveystowing.com.au/how-to-handle-a-car-breakdown/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecompany\u003C/a\u003E directly to take your car to the nearest repair facility.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EThinking ahead: Safe driving tips\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EA broken-down car is never a welcomed experience. But the good news is you can prepare for and help prevent it:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECheck tyres have enough air pressure and you have enough fuel, especially if planning a long drive\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ERegularly service your car to avoid engine problems\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIf you are travelling through remote areas with limited reception, consider investing in a UHF radio or satellite phone.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIf travelling with kids, always have water and snacks packed\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EConsider having an emergency travel kit in the boot of your car\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n"}},{"organism":"PageTags","model":{"tags":[{"name":"Vehicles","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/tag-search.html?tag=vehicles%3A"},{"name":"Drive Well","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/tag-search.html?tag=shell%3Abusiness%2Fbusiness-customers%2Fdrive-well"}]},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/what-to-do-if-your-car-breaks-down/jcr_content/root/main/section/simple/page_tags_copy"},{"organism":"PromoSimple.Text","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/what-to-do-if-your-car-breaks-down/jcr_content/root/main/section/simple/text_2073055369_copy","model":{"text":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Csub\u003EDisclaimer\u003Cbr\u003E\n Viva Energy Australia Pty Ltd (“Viva Energy”) has compiled the above article for your general information and to use as a general reference. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken by Viva Energy in compiling this article, Viva Energy does not warrant or represent that the information in the article is free from errors or omissions or is suitable for your intended use.\u003C/sub\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n"}}],"colspan":8,"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/what-to-do-if-your-car-breaks-down/jcr_content/root/main/section/simple","model":{}},{"organism":"Container","children":[{"organism":"PromoSimple.Text","color":"inherited","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/what-to-do-if-your-car-breaks-down/jcr_content/root/main/section/simple_225470322/text_copy","model":{"title":"You may also be interested 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