Breakdown assistance: You can carry out these repairs yourself

If you need to get things done quickly in the event of a breakdown, you don't always have to wait for roadside assistance. Which repairs can you do yourself? An overview.

Certain vehicle damages are easy to repair yourself—at least temporarily. These include tire or coolant line problems. Battery issues can often be fixed yourself as well.

According to the ADAC (German Automobile Club), a flat tire can be expected statistically every 150,000 kilometers. Many tire problems can be solved by yourself with simple steps. The most important thing is to park the vehicle safely on the side of the road without endangering other road users . Wear a high-visibility vest and mark the area with a warning triangle.

Ideally, the vehicle has a full-size spare tire. Then, after changing the tire—provided there is no further damage to the brakes or axle, for example—you can continue driving normally. If you only have a spare tire, you can drive at a maximum of 80 kilometers per hour. Furthermore, the spare tire must be replaced with a full-size spare tire as soon as possible.

If you only carry a simple repair kit, that may be sufficient for the trip to the garage. A sealant can fix minor tire problems for a short distance. Afterward, a tire change is necessary, as tires treated with sealant cannot be repaired.

Problems with the coolant line can often be fixed for a limited time. None of these options are a permanent solution, but they at least allow the car to continue driving for a while. You can seal the leaking coolant line with adhesive and silicone tape, for example.

The latter is particularly recommended, as it can better withstand the temperature of the cooling water. Generally speaking, the cooling water line must be replaced after every emergency repair.

If the vehicle's battery is no longer working, you can jump-start it with another vehicle. However, according to the ADAC (German Automobile Club), some hybrid and electric cars are not suitable for this. These can often only receive jump-start assistance, but not provide it.

To prevent damage to your vehicle, it's important to follow the instructions in your vehicle's manual. In particular, be careful not to mix up the positive and negative terminals—otherwise, you risk expensive damage.