All cars break down. That’s a fact. You might have a brand new car or a well maintained one but one small issue can cause it to break down. No, you don’t have to blame yourself for your car breaking down. Even mechanics can’t predict when a car will just quit. So you need to know a little bit of know-how if your car breaks down.

Now, if you are like every other responsible car owner out there you will have at least a tow truck’s phone number on your speed dial or your mechanic’s phone. This is so you can call them to help bail you out. You can always do the fixing yourself but not everybody can do a McGyver and improvise. So while waiting for help, the most logical thing to do is push your car.

But wait. Push? Why? Do you really need to push your car when it breaks down?

Why Do You Need to Push?

Unless you have a broken axle or anything tire related that makes the car unmovable, you should consider pushing the car especially when it’s in the middle of the road.

The only reason you need to is for safety purposes. A broken down car in the middle of the road is a hazard to all motorists. You certainly don’t want people to get into accidents because you didn’t want to push your car. Of course, you can place your early warning devices, but they can only do so much.

But before you go and try to push your car, here are a couple of pointers for you in doing it right. Yes, there’s a right and wrong way to do it. The right way of pushing ensures you and your car is safe and you won’t get hurt or cause an accident.

1. Assess the area

The first thing you need to consider before pushing your car out of the road is the area. How busy is the street and is it safe for you to push? When you are in a very busy highway, then you might want to take your chances with putting up your early warning signs first.

Different situations call for different approaches, so you must take each situation differently. Sometimes, the safest thing to do is leave your car where it is! Weigh the risks of pushing your car versus leaving it in its current location.

2. Ask for help

If you are driving alone, pushing can be such a pain. If you are aiming for a safe way to push your car then you might need help. Pushing requires at least 2 people: one to push and the other to steer. If you have a bigger car, more people might be needed to push it easily. Try to flag down good samaritans to help you out. Most drivers won’t hesitate to help you out as they know how dangerous a broken down car in the middle of the road is.

3. Use the correct technique

As mentioned above, you need at least two people to push a car. The first person should steer the vehicle inside. The other one will do his/her best to push the car. Just go slow and steady. Most cars are easier to push once you get them going.

If the car is a bit heavier, there’s a secret that can help. Use a rocking motion to get the car moving. It will require you to do a little bit of back-and-forth motion but it will be easier on your body.

4. Be aware of your body

While pushing a car can get really taxing on your body, poor form can cause more damage. A poor pusing form can hurt your back and legs so you better make sure you push that car right. For starters, start by pushing with your legs and not your arms. Lean close to the car and make contact with your shoulder. Push slowly and in unison with other people pushing.

Prevent Breaking Down on the Road with T3 Atlanta

In a perfect world, when your car breaks down you will be in a safe location with plenty of people to help you out. You can just call your favorite repair shop like T3 Atlanta or a nearby tow truck service to help you out.

To minimize your risk of breaking down when you least expect it, visit our mechanics at T3 Atlanta to give your car a thorough maintenance check. Our team of experts will locate potential issues to stop them before they even become a problem. With T3 Atlanta, you can rest assured that your car will always be in peak health.