First Aid for Your Car

Everyone knows that it is important to have a basic knowledge of first aid in case of an accidental injury. First aid is used to keep the body functioning as comfortably as possible until the victim can be taken to a hospital to see a doctor. If a person were to have an accident at home, first aid is a short-term necessity, but if he is picnicking or camping in the wilderness, first aid would be needed to keep the victim functioning for a much longer length of time. Try to think of the car as a victim of an accident when a breakdown occurs. This, of course, is not a living, breathing body, so it is easy to just shut off the motor and let the car sit until a tow truck arrives to take it off to the hospital (garage) to be taken care of by a doctor (mechanic). Unfortunately, it is not in the nature of a car to break down while idling in the drive-way or backing out into the street (although it sometimes happens). The greatest problems with cars usually occur while in the middle of an intersection, driving through traffic, or on a long trip many miles from home. Since we can't place a sling on the car's wheel or bandage the battery while we tote it off to the nearest garage for emergency care, it is important that we have some basic knowledge of car repair to keep it going until we can get it to a mechanic for professional care. Anyone can repair many of the breakdowns that a car encounters well enough to drive it to a garage. Some repairs will even solve the problem altogether. In either case, a little basic knowledge of car repair can keep the driver from being stranded. There are some breakdowns, however, that can't be repaired by the driver. Even so, just knowing the symptoms of the car breakdown can save money, because a mechanic that thinks you know what you're talking about is not so apt to overcharge you.