This is a collaborative post: As a mum, your mornings are probably a manic affair. As well as getting yourself ready, you have to make sure that your brood is clothed, washed, and fed in what probably amounts to less than an hour. Then, there’s the mad rush to pick up school bags and make sure everyone’s got their PE kits, homework, and whatever else. By the time you make it out the door, it’s not unusual for there to be about thirty seconds to spare.
That’s why it can come as so much of a blow when, with all of this done and the whole family finally in the car, you turn your key in the ignition to find that NOTHING HAPPENS. All of that work gets gobbled up by your free thirty seconds and a load of other time that you just don’t have to spare. And, with the clock ticking, you likely want to put your head in your hands and bang it against the steering wheel.
In reality, though, freaking out about a car that won’t start in the morning is about the least helpful to do. It certainly won’t get the kids into school on time. The only thing you can do at a time like this is to think fast, stay calm, and put the following pointers into action to get yourself on the road again.
Step 1: Troubleshoot
Whether you know a lot about cars or a little, troubleshooting should always be the first step when your vehicle won’t start. After all, these things happen for a reason, and if your car’s given up the ghost out of nowhere, then there’s a decent chance that the reason is surprisingly simple.
Just a few things worth looking out for/checking when you’re in this situation include –
- Battery
- Battery terminals
- Fuel filter
- Spark plugs
- Ignition coil
- Engine
- Etc.
In some cases, working your way down this list may lead to an easy fix. For example, if your battery is flat then you can recharge or replace it easily enough. Or, you may need to clean your battery terminal, fuel filter, or similar. Even if you don’t identify one of these easy-fix problems, settling on a more serious issue will indicate that you need to leave the car for now, sort the kids out, and come back to this later.
Step 2 – Find alternative transport
Asking for help is never easy, and you may be tempted to keep on fiddling with your car so that you can get the kids to school sharpish. In reality, though, if simple fixes don’t jump out at you during your troubleshooting, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to do anything about this problem now. Trying to find an easy fix for a larger issue could end up costing you and setting you back more.
Instead, know when to step back and find an alternative route to school for your kids. Can a neighbour take them in today? Do they have a local friend whose mum would be happy to take them too? Once the kids are out of your hair, you’re way less likely to freak out, will be working with a much larger time frame, and will be able to address the problem in a calm and collected manner that sees you getting things done.
Step 3: Trust the professionals
YouTube is a great resource for simple car fixes, but it’s important to recognise when an issue is beyond DIY. If you’ve spent some child-free time checking things over more thoroughly and still haven’t solved the issue, then it’s time to call on trusted professionals like the repair experts at Listers service centre. In half the time you would waste with a rushed fix otherwise, professional repair technicians will be able to identify the issue, replace parts, and even have your car back to you before school pick up.
This ease of service does, however, require you to act quickly instead of wasting time while you panic. Spend no longer than half an hour or so trying to sort things yourself. If that doesn’t work, make that phone call, and stress the importance of needing the family car back as soon as they can manage. While it won’t always be as simple as getting your car back to you by the end of the day (though it often will be), professionals will at least be able to give you an accurate time frame that you can hold onto and rely on while making other plans.
Step 4: Replace your vehicle
Let’s say that your car wouldn’t start, the neighbours could just about take your kids to school, but the repair company reckons you’re looking at a three-day wait or more. Can you start freaking out now? No. After all, you’re still on that school pickup deadline, and your options haven’t run out yet.
Being a vehicle down is undeniably annoying when you have a family, but it isn’t the be-all and end-all. After all, most decent insurance packages offer a lease car for situations just like this, and that, at least, is sure to arrive before the end of the school day if you get your paperwork out now. Even if it turns out that your insurance doesn’t offer a courtesy car, now is the time to look into something like a hire car to see you through. In each instance, staying calm and getting out your paperwork is the thing that’s going to lead to a fast replacement. So, look sharp, head to your filing cabinets, and start making the calls that you need to ensure you’re fresh, fancy, and driving a great new vehicle by the next time your children see you.
Car problems are a car crash at the best of times, let alone during a tight morning. But, you can save yourself stress, sweat, and time by just staying calm and following these tips from the moment your ignition fails you, right through to school pickup at the end of the day.