The possibility always exists with any vehicle that one day you may find yourself broken down on the side of the road.  These days, that is a dangerous place to be.  So, don’t panic and keep your wits about you until you can safely get to the nearest auto center.

Tips to help keep you and your family safe:

• Before you ever come to a stop, it's important to keep the car under control. This means not panicking and not over reacting.
• Pull carefully over onto the safest area of the road.  The key is to get out of the active lane of traffic and to the shoulder as quickly and safely as possible.
• Turn on your hazards as soon as you pull over so that other drivers around you are aware that something’s not right. Know exactly where the trigger is located for those flashers.
• Assess the situation. Keep everyone inside the car unless there's smoke, fire or your vehicle is still protruding into traffic.  If you’re not able to fix the situation, try to get the car to safely limp to the nearest auto shop.
• Call roadside assistance or a near-by auto center for help.
• If at all possible, avoid leaving your vehicle to walk for help. If you absolutely have to walk for help, stay on the left hand shoulder facing traffic on a two-way highway.  Walk as far to the right as possible on a freeway or expressway.
• Wait for a tow truck from an auto shop to arrive.  They will assess the situation and hopefully get you going on your way.  If they cannot repair your vehicle on-site, they can tow your vehicle to an auto center for repairs.

Remember this Tip: If you’re stranded on the side of the road, stay calm and follow the advice above to ensure you arrive safely at your next destination.

Need quality vehicle maintenance?  Whether you need a basic oil change, a car alignment, or an engine rebuild, our qualified auto mechanics can help you keep your car on the road.  Contact the ASE Certified Technicians at Precision Automotive today by calling (406) 248-2838, or go on-line to www.pricesprecisionauto.com for more information.  Our Tech-Net professional auto repair shop in Billings, MT, also services vehicle owners in the areas of Shepherd and Laurel, MT.