What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down in Dubai
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A breakdown can happen to anyone, and on Dubai's fast, busy roads the first few minutes matter most. Here's what to do, in order.
1. Get the car out of the traffic
As soon as you notice a problem — a warning light, loss of power, a strange noise or steam from the bonnet — signal and move towards the hard shoulder or the next exit. If the car is still rolling, use that momentum to get as far from moving traffic as you can. Avoid stopping on bends, on bridges or just over the brow of a hill where drivers behind can't see you.
2. Make yourself visible
Switch on your hazard lights straight away. At night or in a sandstorm, keep your sidelights on too. If it is safe to walk behind the car, place your warning triangle well back from it so approaching drivers have time to react.
3. Get everyone out on the safe side
On a highway, a stationary car on the hard shoulder can be hit by other vehicles. Get everyone out through the doors away from the traffic and wait behind the crash barrier if there is one. Never stand between your car and the traffic, and don't try roadside repairs on the traffic side.
If your car has stopped in a live lane and you can't move it, or anyone is injured or in danger, call the police on 999 first.
4. Work out exactly where you are
On long highways such as Sheikh Zayed Road (E11), Emirates Road (E611) or Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311), "near exit 40" isn't always enough. Note:
- Your direction of travel (towards Abu Dhabi, towards Sharjah, etc.)
- The last exit or interchange you passed
- Any landmark you can see
Better still, share a live location pin on WhatsApp — it removes the guesswork.
5. Call for help
Call a recovery service and explain what happened. Useful things to mention:
- What you noticed before the car stopped
- Whether it can still roll and steer
- The make and model, and whether it's automatic or 4x4
- Where you would like the car taken
Agree the price and destination before the recovery vehicle is sent.
6. Look after yourself while you wait
In summer, heat is a real risk. Keep water with you, find shade if you can, and avoid sitting in a closed car with the engine and air-conditioning off. Keep your phone charged and stay reachable.
Common causes of breakdowns in Dubai
- Batteries: high temperatures shorten battery life, and batteries often fail without warning. If your car is slow to start, get the battery tested.
- Overheating: check coolant levels and watch the temperature gauge in slow summer traffic.
- Tyres: heat and under-inflation increase the risk of blowouts. Check pressures when tyres are cold.
- Fuel: some stretches of highway have long gaps between fuel stations — don't run close to empty.
If you've broken down in Dubai, we can recover your car to the garage of your choice — call or WhatsApp your location.