Oh no! A sudden breakdown on I-24, I-40, I-440, or Briley Parkway can feel overwhelming.
Take a breath.
Your first priority is not finding the problem. It is getting yourself and your passengers away from traffic.
For drivers in Nashville and around Murfreesboro, these steps may help you handle a roadside breakdown safely.
Get as far away from traffic as possible
If the vehicle still moves, gently steer toward the right shoulder.
Move as far away from the travel lane as the shoulder allows. Do not make a sudden turn. Signal if you can. Watch for nearby vehicles, barriers, narrow shoulders, and merging traffic.
Once stopped:
- Turn on your hazard lights.
- Set the parking brake.
- Turn the front wheels toward the shoulder, away from the roadway.
- Keep your seat belt fastened.
- Turn off the engine if it is overheating, smoking, or making unusual noises.
If your vehicle cannot reach the shoulder, leave the hazards on and call 911. Tell the dispatcher that your vehicle is stopped in a travel lane. Give your direction of travel and the nearest exit, mile marker, or landmark.
This is especially important near busy sections of I-40, downtown Nashville, and the interchanges around I-440. Traffic can approach quickly. A disabled vehicle in a lane is an immediate hazard.
Should you stay in the vehicle?
Usually, yes.
If your vehicle is fully on the shoulder and there is no smoke, fire, or immediate danger, staying inside with your seat belt on may be safest. Keep the doors locked if you feel uncomfortable. Continue using your hazard lights.
A vehicle on the shoulder can still be struck by passing traffic. Standing beside it can put you much closer to that danger.
There are exceptions.
If you see flames or heavy smoke, get everyone out as soon as it is safe. Use the passenger-side door if possible. Move well away from the road. A guardrail or a location farther from traffic may offer better protection.
Do not stand between your vehicle and moving traffic. Do not walk along the shoulder unless there is no safer option.
If the shoulder is extremely narrow, your car is partly in a lane, or passing trucks are coming dangerously close, call 911 and follow the dispatcher’s instructions. It may be safer to remain inside until help arrives.
Make the vehicle easier to see
Visibility matters.
Keep the hazard lights on. If you have reflective triangles, cones, or emergency flares, you may be able to place them behind the vehicle. Only do this if you can get out safely and reach a protected area. Never walk into a travel lane to set them up.
If it is safe, opening the hood can signal that the vehicle is disabled. This is not a repair step. It is simply another visual warning for approaching drivers.
At night or in poor weather, visibility becomes even more important. Rain, fog, darkness, and glare can make a stopped car difficult to see. If getting out would expose you to traffic, leave the hood closed and stay inside.
Know when to call 911
A routine mechanical failure usually calls for roadside assistance or a tow truck.
An emergency calls for 911.
Call 911 when:
- Your vehicle is stopped in a travel lane.
- There has been a crash.
- Someone is injured or having a medical emergency.
- You see flames or heavy smoke.
- Fuel is leaking.
- Traffic is passing dangerously close.
- You feel threatened or unsafe.
- Severe weather or poor visibility makes the situation immediately dangerous.
For a stable breakdown on the shoulder, you may call your insurance roadside service, automobile club, or a local repair shop that offers towing. On Tennessee highways, *THP (*847) may also be useful for highway assistance or safety concerns.
For more general roadside guidance, review the Tennessee Department of Safety driver resources.
Have the right information ready
A clear location helps responders find you faster.
Before calling, look for:
- The road name or interstate number.
- Your direction of travel.
- The nearest exit.
- The mile marker.
- A nearby bridge, business, sign, or landmark.
- The number of people in the vehicle.
- Your vehicle’s make, model, color, and license plate.
- Whether the vehicle is fully on the shoulder.
- Any smoke, fire, fluid leak, or injury.
- A callback phone number.
For example, “I am on eastbound I-24 near exit 78, just past the Old Hickory Boulevard exit” is more useful than “I’m somewhere near Nashville.”
If you are near Murfreesboro, mention the closest exit, cross street, or recognizable location. Dispatchers and tow operators may be helping several drivers at once.
Avoid trying to repair the vehicle on the shoulder
It looks like a minor issue.
Maybe it is.
But a highway shoulder is not a safe repair bay.
Opening the hood to provide a warning signal is different from working under it. Avoid changing a tire, checking belts, handling electrical connections, or crawling under the vehicle beside active traffic.
A car can shift. Hot coolant can cause serious burns. Moving belts and fans can injure you. Passing traffic is the biggest danger of all.
Even a simple battery check may not explain why the vehicle stopped. A dead battery could be the result of a failed alternator. A warning light could point to a cooling system problem, fuel delivery issue, or electrical fault.
If the vehicle will not restart, arrange a tow and have a qualified technician inspect it.
Why vehicles suddenly stop running
Breakdowns can happen for many reasons. Often, the vehicle gives warning signs first.
Dead battery
A weak battery may cause slow cranking, dim interior lights, clicking when you turn the key, or electronics that cut out.
A battery can fail without much notice, especially during extreme temperatures. Corrosion, loose terminals, and an aging battery can also create starting problems.
Alternator failure
The alternator keeps the battery charged while the engine runs.
Warning signs may include:
- A battery-shaped warning light.
- Flickering headlights.
- Electrical accessories that work intermittently.
- A whining or grinding noise.
- A vehicle that loses power after driving for a while.
If the alternator stops charging, the car may continue briefly before the battery runs down.
Overheating
An overheating engine may show a high temperature gauge, steam, a warning message, or a strong sweet smell from coolant.
If the temperature rises, pull over as soon as it is safe. Turn off the engine. Do not remove the radiator cap while the system is hot. Pressurized coolant can spray and cause severe burns.
Cooling system diagnostics can identify leaks, thermostat problems, radiator concerns, fan failures, and other causes.
Fuel delivery problems
A vehicle may crank but fail to start because fuel is not reaching the engine correctly.
Possible causes include a failing fuel pump, a clogged filter, an electrical fault, or an inaccurate fuel gauge. Running out of fuel is also possible, particularly when traffic delays or detours change a normal commute.
Serpentine belt failure
The serpentine belt powers important components such as the alternator and, on many vehicles, the water pump.
A worn belt may squeal, crack, or show visible damage. If it breaks, the battery may stop charging and the engine may overheat quickly.
This is not a roadside repair to attempt beside I-40 or Briley Parkway. The vehicle may need a tow.
Transmission trouble
Transmission problems can cause slipping, delayed engagement, harsh shifting, unusual noises, or a vehicle that will not move even though the engine runs.
A transmission warning light, burning smell, or fluid leak may appear first. Ignoring those signs can turn a smaller problem into a major repair.
Our auto diagnostics service can help identify engine, transmission, cooling, fuel, electrical, and other system problems.
Free towing and shuttle service can make a bad day easier
A breakdown is stressful enough without arranging transportation, comparing tow prices, and figuring out how to get home.
The Car People offers free towing within 30 miles, plus shuttle service and vehicle pick-up for convenience. Availability and distance may depend on the situation, so it is best to call and confirm.
Our Nashville location is at 3994 Dickerson Pike. The Murfreesboro location is at 1414A NW Broad St.
You can call:
Once the vehicle arrives, our certified team can inspect the concern and explain the next steps clearly. You should know what failed, what needs attention now, and what may be safely planned for later.
Routine car service can help prevent a roadside breakdown
Many “sudden” breakdowns start with smaller warning signs.
A slow start. A temperature gauge that runs higher than normal. A check engine light. A slipping transmission. A belt squeal. A dashboard light that disappears and returns.
It is tempting to wait until the vehicle stops completely. Unfortunately, that can leave you stranded during a commute through Nashville or on the drive between Nashville and Murfreesboro.
Routine car service in Nashville may help identify worn parts and developing problems earlier. Oil changes, battery testing, fluid checks, belt inspections, tire service, and scheduled maintenance all support dependable driving.
If you are closer to Rutherford County, our Murfreesboro location can help with the same kind of full-service vehicle care.
Final thoughts
A roadside breakdown is frightening.
First, get away from traffic. Use your hazards. Stay inside unless there is an immediate reason to leave. Call 911 for danger and a tow or repair shop for a stable mechanical failure.
Please do not risk your safety trying to diagnose the car on the shoulder.
If your vehicle has already left you stranded: or if it has started showing warning signs: maybe now is the right time for a proper inspection. Would you like to book service at our Nashville location or schedule an appointment in Murfreesboro?