8 Signs That Indicate You Should Pull Over Immediately

Today, cars are more reliable than ever. It’s easy for car owners to become comfortable driving them, forgetting that although technology has assisted in making vehicles longer lasting, safer, and more convenient, emergencies can still happen.

No matter where you are going, knowing when the right time to pull the car over immediately is essential. And, by “immediately,” we mean as soon as is safely possible.

When to Pull Over

1. 1.      Losing Something Essential- You’re driving along in your Audi, listening to the radio, when you suddenly get a craving to listen to Taylor Swift’s new album. Like any good driver, you have your CDs in a location where they can easily be reached without requiring you to take your eyes off the road. As you move to put in the CD, however, it slips from your hands and falls onto the floorboard. What do you do? If your answer is to bend down and grab it, you’d be wrong. At 65 miles per hour, you are moving 30 metres per second. Bending down for even 5 seconds can mean your car has advanced 150 metres. If you aren’t watching what you are doing, you’re likely to hit another car or speed into the ditch. Pull over and then pick up the CD.
   
2. 2.      Medical Emergencies- When I was 8 years old, my uncle had a heart attack while driving. Instead of pulling over, however, he tried to ignore his symptoms and race to the hospital. He passed out quickly and ended up going into a ditch, with my aunt in the passenger seat. The lesson here? Don’t try to drive during a medical emergency. Pull over. Call the authorities. Get help. This can not only keep you and your passengers safe, but other drivers on the road as well.
   
3. 3.      Lack of Visibility- When a car rides smoothly, it’s easy to forget that we’re sitting in a projectile that has the capability of injuring or even killing us. If you are driving and experience a sudden downpour, your windshield becomes covered, or a flying projectile cracks the windshield, don’t attempt to keep driving. Pull over immediately and either fix the problem or wait for the weather to pass.
   
4. 4.      Loud or Sudden Noises- Car’s aren’t supposed to make loud, unidentifiable, and sudden noises. While some noises may be benign, at least to the car, (running over a plastic milk jug that someone careless threw out their car window) these sounds can also indicate serious issues with car parts. Pull over and check it out.
   
5. 5.      Oil Light- While you might have gotten through the last 2,000 miles without getting around to investigating what that blinking check engine light means, if the oil light comes on, don’t even try to make it home. Pull over immediately. Driving without oil pressure can completely wreck your engine in a matter of minutes.
   
6. 6.      Sudden Changes in Handling- After driving the car day after day, week after week, you know how it feels when you get behind the wheel. If this feeling suddenly changes, don’t ignore it, especially when related to the steering wheel. A sudden wobbling or a tug in a different direction can indicate both minor and serious problems, from a change in the road surface or a tyre blowing. The problem is, you won’t know unless you pull over.
   
7. 7.      Smells- When you first bought the car, it had that new car smell. Now, however, it smells like you, and your life. It might have the scent of wet dog, old juice boxes, or even grandma. However, not all smells are benign like these. If you happen to notice a smell you can’t quite place, it’s best to pull over and check for problems. The two biggest concerns are the smell of petrol, which you should never be able to smell while you’re driving. The second is the smell of burning car parts and wires. These smells often indicate a future problem, like a fire.
   
8. 8.      Steam- See steam rising from the bonnet of your Ford? This is often an indication that coolant is leaking out of the Ford’s cooling system. Slow leaks aren’t cause for serious alarm, but quick leaks can do serious damage to Ford parts, like the engine. You can save thousands in preventative damage to the Ford parts by pulling over and call a local garage for help.
   

While your car may be reliable and safe, that doesn’t mean nothing will ever go wrong. Be prepared for emergencies.