What to Do When You Have Car Trouble

Brakes Fail

• Turn your flashers on.
• Ensure nothing is under the brake pedal.
• Use the horn to alert other drivers and pedestrians.
• Assess the situation. Are you nearing an intersection, sharp curve, slow moving or stationary traffic, heavy pedestrian area, etc…
• If you are on open road without any of the factors listed above, then begin pumping your breaks and down shifting (instead of going from drive to neutral….go slowly from drive to 4, 3, 2, 1, and finally park.)
• If you see factors ahead where you can not downshift, then slowly engage your emergency brake. DO NOT jerk it up or slam it down, stay calm.
• Do not cut off your engine. The wheel will lock from loosing the power steering and you will not be able to control the vehicle.
• If an immediate obstacle is approaching then weigh out the options. Easing over to scratch the side of the car on a railing or barrier in order to slow it down is much better than hitting a tree or pedestrians. A line of shrubbery is better than an oak tree. A wooden fence is better than a dead end road.
• Once the car has slowed to 15-20 mph, you can use a grass shoulder, inclined off ramp, or the bumpy off road grid that some highways have to help bring you to a stop. Use this friction technique with caution: gravel can spin you out of control and uneven surfaces at fast speeds can overturn your vehicle.

Radiator Leaks

• Let the engine cool off.
• Turn the radiator cap half way to relieve the pressure, then remove the cap.
• For a small radiator leak take 3-4 ounces of black pepper and pour into the radiator reservoir.

Door Locks Stick

• Take a pencil and grind up the exposed lead.
• Sprinkle in the cracks around the internal door lock. Be careful not to overfill the lock as it will lock the tumblers inside the door and cause it to completely stop working.
• You can also use a pencil to color the door key. Insert the key in the outer lock and turn it several times to spread the lead inside the lock.
• Using lubricants will just collect dust and continue to gunk up the lock.