Motoring

Top safety tips when you stop at the roadside

A blue car is stationary with its warning lights on. A warning triangle has been placed down the road from the car to alert oncoming traffic.
Knowing what to do when you breakdown will help keep you safe.

If your car stops at the side of the road, the most important thing is knowing what to do next. Breakdowns aren’t something anyone plans for, but there are clear, practical steps you can take to protect yourself and your passengers.

Staying calm and focusing on those steps can help you feel more in control. From positioning your vehicle safely to contacting the right help, small actions can make a big difference.

This guide walks you through what to do; so if it does happen, you’ll feel better prepared to deal with it safely and confidently.

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James Orry 2 Comments

How to handle a motorway breakdown safely

A motorway is jammed with cars, stretching out into the distance.
Safety is your number one concern when breaking down on a motorway.

Breaking down on a motorway can feel far more intimidating than stopping on a local road. Not only does traffic move faster on a motorway, but it does so over multiple lanes. Knowing exactly what to do in this situation will help keep you safe.

Motorways are designed for high-speed travel, which means safety decisions must be quick, calm and deliberate. The Highway Code provides clear guidance for dealing with breakdowns on these roads, and following it carefully is essential.

Let’s look at some of the key recommendations.

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James Orry Leave a comment

How to keep passengers calm and safe during breakdowns

A family waits by their car for roadside recovery.
No one wants to deal with a breakdown, but there are ways to stay on top of the situation.

Breakdowns happen. Whether it’s a flat tyre, an overheated engine, or an unexpected mechanical fault, being stranded on the side of the road can be a stressful experience. And this is not just true for the driver, but for every passenger in the vehicle. Preparation, clear communication, and staying calm can all help to keep the situation under control.

This guide explains practical steps drivers and passengers can take to stay safe and composed while waiting for help. The goal is to help everyone remain as comfortable and informed as possible during a breakdown.

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James Orry Leave a comment

How to check your car’s engine oil: a step-by-step guide

A Green Flag technician checks the engine oil using a dipstick.
Checking your car’s oil is a simple task which helps maintain peak protection and performance of its engine.

Checking your car’s oil level is a simple yet key task which will help to keep your car running at its best. We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about checking your car oil.

We explain what oil does, why it’s important, how to see if your car’s running low on it, how to top it up, and much more. All this, plus our step-by step guide and expert video. Very slick!

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Chris Webb Leave a comment

How to check car engine coolant: the complete UK guide

A Green Flag technician points to the coolant reservoir under the hood of a car.
Car coolant is a mixture of antifreeze and water which helps to stop your car’s engine from overheating.

Checking your car’s coolant level is an important task to help keep your car healthy and on the road.

Our frequently asked questions, step-by step guide and expert video have everything you need to know about car coolant, how to check the level, and how to safely top it up.

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Chris Webb Leave a comment

What towing & recovery actually covers

A black car is moved onto the back of a tow truck.
There’s more to a breakdown service than you might think.

Breaking down is stressful enough without also having to wonder: Will I have to pay for recovery? What happens if I’ve had an accident? Does my breakdown cover include towing?

Many drivers assume towing is automatically included in every breakdown policy. But the truth is, the level of support you get depends on what’s covered in your specific roadside assistance plan.

This guide explains what towing and vehicle recovery services usually include, what they don’t, and who pays for towing after an accident.

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James Orry Leave a comment

Why do car batteries die in winter?

A roadside technician checks a failing car battery.
The cold winter weather doesn’t play nicely with your car’s battery.

There’s nothing worse than heading out on a freezing winter morning, turning the key… and being met with silence.

A flat car battery is one of the most common causes of breakdowns during cold weather – and it can happen anytime, without much warning. Even if your battery seemed perfectly fine in recent months, winter conditions can quickly expose hidden weaknesses.

So, why do car batteries die in winter? And what can you do to prevent being stranded with a car that won’t start? Let’s look at why cold weather can prove so challenging.

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James Orry Leave a comment

How to change your windscreen wipers

Windscreen wiper blades play a vital role in giving drivers a better, clearer view of the road.

Being able to change your car’s windscreen wiper blades is a vital car maintenance skill. The process varies from car to car but there are similarities between all of them which we’ve covered below with a step-by step guide and a handy video showing how our experts do it.

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Chris Webb Leave a comment

Expert advice: what cold weather does to your car

cold weather
Winter affects many parts of your car (Picture iStock/Hutchyb)

Winter is here and with the cold weather comes a whole lot of challenges, and not just for us drivers. Cars too will be suffering in the lower temperatures. Here are the different ways icy conditions affect your car and some handy suggestions for ways to reduce their impact.

Low temperatures thicken the oil

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Mike Shaw 4 Comments

Winter driving: a bit of preparation goes a long way

When it comes to winter driving, you should always expect the unexpected.

The British weather is unpredictable at the best of times, and you never quite know what’s around the corner.

That’s why it’s good to be prepared. Before you hit the road, pack a winter survival kit, just in case you get stranded in bad conditions.

It might sound like an extreme measure, but you’ll be glad it’s there if the worst happens.

So, what should you pack?

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Adam Love 34 Comments

Five reasons why cars break down (and how to avoid them)

It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but unfortunately, winter’s the peak time for car breakdowns.

Many cars suffer similar issues, which means we know what to expect and can help you do something about it.

Here we look at the top reasons why cars break down and some tips you can follow to keep yours on the road.   

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Adam Love 37 Comments

Don’t think twice, de-ice!

It’s a familiar scene across the country on cold winter days. You leave the house, it’s freezing outside, and you just want to jump in your car and get going, but the windows are covered in ice.

What do you do? Clear a little peephole and get going, or brave the cold and fully clear your windscreen?

Well, 45% of people admit to driving without full visibility in icy conditions, according to research by Green Flag. But, not only could that be dangerous, it could get you in trouble.

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Adam Love 24 Comments

Stay safe if you’re driving in a storm

Over the past few years the UK has seen a sharp increase in the number of storms we’ve had to deal with. Even though the names they have these days aren’t that scary, a storm shouldn’t be taken lightly – it can cause serious damage, injury, and even death.

Last winter, Storm Eowyn was the UK’s most powerful windstorm for more than a decade, with gusts of 135mph, while Storm Bert hit us with the wettest day since October 2020. Not ideal driving conditions.

With another storm season on the way, here are our top tips for staying safe on the roads.

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Adam Love 38 Comments

Enjoy a summer break, not a summer breakdown.

Avoid a summer breakdown

As motorists across the country are packing their suitcases, we’re predicting a seven per cent increase in breakdowns during summer. That means around 150,000 callouts for our mechanics to provide support over the summer.

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Chris Webb 38 Comments

Expert advice on how to avoid a car key catastrophe

Taking better care of your car keys can save time, money and plans being cancelled this summer.
Taking better care of your car keys can save you time, money and stress.

Our research reveals that a car key-related callout took place every seven minutes in 2024. According to our data, two-thirds (62 per cent) of car key callouts were a result of drivers locking their keys in the car. A further fifth of callouts were for keys being jammed in the lock or ignition, whilst 12 per cent were a result of lost keys.

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Chris Webb 37 Comments

Driving holidays on the up: great places to stop on British road trips

a silver car driving past hills next to an expanse of water in the UK

Forget sweltering in a steamy sun-baked airport departure lounge; the driving holiday is the favoured way to take a summer break for many British travellers.

It coincides with the increase in popularity of the ‘staycation’, that sees a whopping 52% of Brits choosing holidays within in the UK. Furthermore, 34% love it so much they’re holidaying here more multiple times a year.

If you’re one of the millions planning a road trip this summer, we’ve compiled a list of places to enjoy while on the road around the UK.

Great places to stop during a UK driving holiday

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Chris Webb 3 Comments

Do you play fuel station roulette? All about when the low fuel light is on

Low fuel light
20 miles left, 2 miles or 200 metres? Fuel gauges vary (Picture iStock/Akchamczuk)

Most people have driven around with the low fuel light or low battery alert on. Some people even play fuel station roulette on a regular basis, driving as far as they dare with the warning light on and their car running on the dregs of its fuel or battery. But do you really know how many miles your car has left in it when the warning light comes on?

What is your car’s fuel light range?

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Chris Webb 6 Comments