Proper vehicle maintenance can help prevent the most common reasons for breakdowns: failed tires, running out of gas, engine overheating, and poor battery performance.

Prevent tire-related breakdowns: Taking good care of tires can prevent crashes and breakdowns.

• Have tires inspected, rotated, and balanced by professionals every six months or 6,000–8,000 miles.
• Check tire pressure monthly, and before long trips. Check when tires are cold. Use a tire pressure gauge and find the recommended psi on the driver’s side door jamb or in the vehicle owner’s manual.

When a tire fails: The first thing to consider is safety. Find a safe location to stop. Look for a wide shoulder, rest stop, gas station, or parking lot. Activate hazard lights. Call roadside assistance or:

• Have a fully inflated spare tire in your car and the necessary tools.
• Practice changing a tire. Consult the vehicle owner’s manual. Don’t wait until you have a flat tire.

Prevent running out of gas: Fill the tank when the gauge reads one-quarter full. In winter, or in rural areas, keep the tank at least one-half full. Don’t wait until the fuel light comes on.

Be prepared in case you run out of gas:

• Keep an empty one-gallon container specifically designed for gasoline in your trunk in case you need to walk to a gas station. Never stow a container with gas in the car.

Prevent battery problems: Car batteries usually last 3 to 5 years. Keep a set of jumper cables in the car.

• At first sign of a problem, have the battery checked and replaced if needed.
• Warning signs of a failing battery: Illuminated battery light, slow engine crank, and dimming lights.
• Keep clamps to battery terminals tight so they cannot be moved by hand. Loose terminals and corrosion will cause problems starting your car.

Be prepared for battery problems: If the car doesn’t start, its battery may be dead, or the battery clamps are loose or dirty.

• Your jumper cables should be at least 20 feet long. Learn how to connect them properly.
• Stow a “jumper box.” Charge it after prolonged or frequent usage.
• Have a correctly sized combination wrench to tighten loose battery clamps.

Prevent engine overheating: Common causes include low coolant in the radiator — usually due to a leak; hot weather; or a malfunctioning radiator cooling fan.

• Pay attention to the warning signs, including the needle of the engine-temperature gauge moving up past the halfway mark, and steam or vapor coming out from under the hood. If any of these conditions are present, get to a mechanic as soon as possible. Continuing to drive on an overheating engine may cause serious damage.
• Check engine coolant regularly. It should be above the ‘Minimal’ or ‘Fill’ line when the engine is cool, and at or just below the ‘Max’ line when it’s hot. Stow a gallon of coolant or water for emergencies.

Be prepared in case your engine overheats: If your engine overheats:

• Get to a safe location as soon as possible and turn off the engine.
• Allow the engine to cool down for at least 30 minutes before checking the radiator. An overheated engine is dangerous because the system is highly pressurized with hot coolant that can severely burn you if you try to remove the radiator cap too soon.
• Before proceeding to a mechanic, turn on the heater to dissipate heat.