Your car breaks down while driving: what should you do?

It's one of the scariest situations a driver can face: you're driving down the road and suddenly your car breaks down. Whether it's a sudden engine problem, such as a overheated engine, an electrical defect or another technical fault, such an unexpected event can lead to panic. However, it is important to remain calm and take the right steps to keep both yourself and others safe. In this article, we will therefore delve deeper into the question: your car breaks down while driving, what should you do?

Car cuts out while driving: possible causes

If your car suddenly switches off while driving, this can have more than one cause. Below we have briefly listed the most common causes:

• The alternator is broken: The alternator supplies power to the parts of a car.
• Damaged timing belt: If the timing belt is the cause, you will see this when your indicator light comes on.
• High pressure pump is broken: if your car's engine has direct injection, the built-in high pressure pump may break down.
• The particulate filter is clogged: the particulate filter absorbs soot particles from the exhaust gases. If you have more than 100.000 kilometers on the counter, then that filter can sometimes become clogged.
• Sensor error: In modern vehicles, the sensor helps mix fuel. If a sensor is not working properly, you will get the wrong mixture, which will stop the engine.
• Fuel pump is broken: this pump ensures the right amount of fuel in the engine. In short, if the fuel pump is broken, the right amount is not injected into your engine and the engine stops.

Car cuts out while driving, but starts again

It is also possible that the rev counter of your car drops completely to 0 at a constant speed. After the car stops while driving, it will start again after just a few seconds. It is best to go to a mechanic with this problem, so that a measurement can be made on the installation for a good diagnosis. However, this situation often occurs due to a bad contact. The bad contact often occurs in the crankshaft position sensor.

Car cuts out while driving and won't start again

If your car breaks down while you are driving, the most important thing is to get to the side of the road as quickly as possible so that you are safe. Stay calm and drive your car safely to the edge of the road. You can warn other drivers by turning on your hazard lights. When you are at the side of the road, the first thing you should do is check the engine oil level. If the engine starts making strange noises or there is no oil left in the engine, do not restart the car. Call a mechanic and possibly put a reflective triangle around your car for visibility.

Rental car breaks down while driving, what now?

If your rental car suddenly breaks down while you are driving, the same rules apply as with your own car. It is important to stay calm and put your safety first. If possible, try to steer the vehicle to a safe place, such as the hard shoulder or a parking lot. Turn on your hazard lights to warn other road users. Then contact the rental company immediately to inform them of the problem and request assistance. Most rental companies have a roadside assistance service that can quickly arrive on the scene to help you. Make sure you have all the relevant documents to hand, such as the rental contract and the contact details of the rental company. It is also important to know whether the car is insured for these types of emergencies, so that you are not faced with unexpected costs.