Steps You Should Take When Your Car Breaks Down In A Store Parking Lot
Posted on: 25 April 2016
As a car owner and driver, you may sometimes take for granted the idea that your vehicle will always get you to and from where you need to go. As such, when you go on a trip to the grocery store or to another store location to buy something, you assume that when you come back out to the parking lot and get into your car that it will start right up again. If this does not happen, you may find yourself unsure of what to do or how to react. Get to know some of the steps that you should take when your care breaks down in a store parking spot so that you can be sure that you are doing the right thing for you and your car.
Try To Jump-Start Your Car
The first step you should always take when your car seems to have broken down is to try to get it jump-started. Oftentimes, when your car makes it to a location but then will not start again, it is an issue with the battery.
A jump-start sends an extra little electrical charge to your car battery to get it going and get you back on the road. Ask someone else in the parking lot or call a friend with jumper cables to come help you out and see if a jump gets your car started.
If this does work, do not just assume that the next time you shut off your car everything will be fine. It could be that your battery is low and needs to be replaced entirely. Drive to the mechanic or an automotive store to have your car battery tested and replace it if necessary so the situation does not repeat itself.
Call For Towing Services
On the other hand, if your car does not start up when you attempt to jump-start it, the next step you will want to take is to call for towing services. While you may think it would be okay to leave your vehicle in the parking lot for a prolonged period of time, most businesses would not respond well to such an action and may have their own on-call towing service come and take your car to be impounded.
Instead, while you are still at the store, call for a towing service to have your vehicle taken to your auto service center or to your home if you wish. Depending on the towing service and what you wish to do, you can wait for the tow truck to arrive and get a ride with them (if this service is available), or you can get a friend, family member, or taxi to pick you up.
If you choose the latter, be sure to go inside and speak to a store manager. Let them know that your car broke down in the parking lot and you have a towing service scheduled to come pick it up for you and leave a phone number where the manager can get in touch with you. This will prevent them from thinking you have abandoned your vehicle and prevent them from having it towed themselves if your towing service takes a while to get there.
Now that you know some of the steps that you should take when your car breaks down in a store parking lot, you can be sure that you handle the situation appropriately if it ever happens to you.
For towing services, contact a company such as R & R Towing.
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