Legally, you are required to pull over to the shoulder of the road when you see flashing lights or hear a siren – but there are other times when you should pull over to the shoulder. Obviously, if you need to make a cell phone call, need to find something in the glove box – or deal with misbehaving children – you should definitely pull over to the side and stop the vehicle. However, there are other signs that indicate a potentially dangerous mechanical problem has developed, requiring you to get out of traffic as soon as possible and stop your vehicle in a safe place.
Watch the Gauges
Two things will destroy an engine in minutes: lack of lubrication and severe overheating. Even if it doesn’t destroy the engine immediately, one bad case of overheating can lead to numerous problems down the road, such as warped heads, a cracked engine block, burnt valves and more. When your oil pressure gauge is in the red zone (or the “idiot light” on the dashboard lights up), this means you will need to shut the engine down immediately (if not sooner). The moving parts of your engine are not being lubricated, and the entire mechanism will “seize up” and become a useless pile of metal if you do not stop right away.
Watch the Hood
White vapor or blue/black smoke coming out from under the hood is never a good sign. The former indicates a cooling system failure – namely, a burst hose or a radiator cap that has stopped working. Chances are you’ll smell it as well; hot coolant/antifreeze has a very distinctive scent.
The same is true of black smoke, which is caused by burning oil. This may be caused by gasket failure (either the head or valve cover) or something else. In any case, it means that your engine is losing oil, which could lead to a mechanical disaster (see above).
Odd Smells and Strange Noises
Not all automotive smells are the result of visible phenomena (i.e., smoke). A sharp, bitter smell may be indicative of an electrical problem (which could cause a fire) or overheating brakes (which could lead to complete brake failure).
An unfamiliar noise – particularly one that is ongoing and rhythmic in nature – could mean any number of things. It could be as simple as a tree branch or piece of road trash that has gotten stuck up in your wheel wells, or it could be something more serious. In any event, it is best not to take chances.
Change in Handling
Today’s front-wheel drive vehicles are complex and delicate mechanisms. If your car suddenly becomes difficult to steer, or begins to “shimmy” or pull off to one side, it usually means that something has gone seriously wrong with the steering rack. Alternatively, it could be caused by a suspension issue – but in either case, it’s a potentially dangerous situation. Get out of traffic as soon as possible and find a safe stopping place.pull over
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