What to do when your car breaks down on a hot day
February brings the heat. Exhibit A: the summer of 2016/17 when an unprecedented heatwave hit us with one scorcher after another. By the third day of 40C temperatures, I’d had enough, jumped in my car and headed to the beach for a refreshing swim in the cool waters off SA.
That was the plan, at least. But it came horribly unstuck when my “trusty” Holden Gemini broke down halfway to Semaphore, leaving me stranded on the side of the road, surrounded by dry, dusty paddocks in the dirty stinking heat.
Steam billowed out from under the hood, and even with my extremely limited mechanical knowledge, I knew I was in trouble. All I could do was call RAA roadside assistance, wait for the four-wheeled cavalry to arrive and hope I didn’t melt to liquid goo in the meantime.
Ever been stuck like this? It’s uncomfortable at best, and at worst, potentially dangerous. Here are a few things you can do to help if you do find yourself overheating in a broken down car on a hot day.
Wait safely
If you notice something wrong with your car, pull over straight away. This gives you a better chance to stop in a safer, more convenient location instead of driving until your vehicle conks out in the middle of a busy road.
If you’re on a main road, turn down a side street. But if you’re on a highway or freeway, park as far left from traffic as possible. Use an emergency lane if there’s one available – it’s safer and you’re not holding up other motorists.
Now turn on your hazard lights. Those blinkers will let passing motorists know you’re having car trouble (and, who knows, some good Samaritan might pull over and help). If it’s after dark, leave your parking lights on for higher visibility.
RAA Senior Manager Safety & Infrastructure Charles Mountain recommends that if there is a better place to wait than in the car, people should do so for their own health and safety.
“Car interiors can get stifling hot when temperatures rise, even with the windows down,” he says. “This can potentially lead to heat stress, heat stroke or worse.