Many people have probably found themselves stranded in a broken-down vehicle. While a broken-down car or tire issues are common while driving, sometimes we’re far from home and need to call a tow truck but maybe can’t make that towing happen. One woman was in that same predicament, and three teenage boys helped her out.

The stranded motorist’s story and how the teenagers helped

As CNN reported, a woman in Ontario, Canada was stuck in the middle of a traffic intersection one evening with smoke coming from the car hood. Thankfully, several onlookers stopped to see if the woman was OK and how they could help. Among those were three teenage boys on their way to a donut shop who jumped right in to provide triage for the car breakdown.

The boys determined that a leak caused coolant and motor oil to mix, and the car wouldn’t be safe to drive. As another man who stopped shared it on social media, the woman had recently purchased the car and just couldn’t afford a tow truck. In what seemed like a wild offering, the teenagers decided to push the car five miles to the woman’s home.

The boys’ logic was that they “wouldn’t want to be stuck like that,” so the trio spent two hours pushing the car from the breakdown spot to the motorist’s house.

What to do if you’re stranded with a car broken-down and need a tow

Not everyone is fortunate enough to have helpful and well-intentioned onlookers lend a hand if their vehicle breaks down. Sometimes the problem with the car is just too severe, and you have no choice but to call a tow truck. 

If you can’t afford the tow truck, but it’s your only way out, there are some possible options. For one, you can ask the tow truck driver or the company about flexible payment options or payment plans. While these would likely incur a fee or additional charge, they are your best bet if you’re strapped for cash.

You can also take out a personal loan or arrange another way of covering the tow, but just be sure to communicate with the towing company beforehand to ensure that they can work with you on payments and timelines. 

Ways to prevent and handle broken-down cars

It’s always a good idea to try your best to prevent breakdowns, whether you’re going on a trip or just driving around town. Keeping up with regular maintenance and having your car checked out if any minor problems arise is a top way to prevent it from leaving you stranded.

What’s more, you can do some things yourself like check tire pressure and tread. Your car’s manual will have the recommended tire pressure and may have a display on your dashboard or car display screen. For wear, look for the wear bars and check the tread on the tires. If you can see the bar going across the tire’s width, that means it’s time for a new set of tires.

You can check essential systems and parts like brake pads, battery charge, and air conditioning and cooling systems. All of these items and vehicle fluids are responsible for keeping your car running well and being safe. Don’t forget about major items like the engine, transmission, and suspension. 

If you’re in a situation where a car breakdown occurs, preparation helps a lot then too. Keeping an emergency repair kit complete with tools, jumper cables, and emergency reflectors can go a long way. 

If your car’s temperature gauge indicates the engine is running too hot, you can try turning on the car’s heater to draw heat away from the engine. It’s always a good idea to pull over to a safe spot and try and let the engine cool down. There you can also add water to the radiator or cooling system. Bottled distilled water is another excellent item to keep in your kit for this.