Ah, cars. Our metal steeds. Our ticket to freedom. They take us to work, carry us to family vacations, and let us hit the drive-thru at midnight when a craving strikes. But sometimes, our rides have off days. You know, like when they decide they’ve had enough and just don’t want to move anymore.

If you’ve found yourself stranded on the side of the road more than once, you know what I’m talking about. Sure, a car towing service is just a call away, but there are some things you can do to give your car a pick-me-up.

Tires Gone Flat? Spare Some Love.

We’ve all been there. One moment you’re cruising along, humming to your favorite tune, and the next, thud thud thud. You’ve got a flat tire. While some people might view this as a moment to pull over and hyperventilate, you’ve got this!

Just pull out your spare tire and show your car some TLC. Trust me, your car will thank you. Oh, and please don’t be that person who doesn’t even know where the spare is stored.

Out of Gas? A Jug and a Prayer

So you were confident that “E” on your fuel gauge stood for “Eh, plenty more!” Turns out, your car isn’t fluent in wishful thinking. If you’re close to a gas station, great! Walk there, buy a jug, fill it up, and bring it back.

This is not the time to argue about regular or premium. Any gas is better than no gas unless you own a diesel; then please get diesel. Seriously, don’t make that mistake.

Battery Blues? The Jumping Jive!

If you turn the key and hear a weak cough instead of the rev of your engine, chances are your battery needs a jolt of life. This is when jumper cables become your best friend. And speaking of friends, you’ll need one with a working car to help out.

Connect the cables, fire up the good car, wait a bit, and give your car a go. Now, don’t forget to actually drive around a bit to recharge the battery. I learned this the hard way after jumping into my car and then promptly turning it off again. Let’s just say I got very familiar with my car toeing service that day.

Overheating? Cool It!

Your car is running hot, and not in a sexy, James Bond-kind way. If the temperature gauge is climbing, pull over and let your car cool down. Open the hood—carefully—and let the engine air out.

You can also pour some coolant or even water into the radiator. Just don’t do it while the engine is still hot; it’s like throwing water on a grease fire. Science and skin grafts agree it’s a bad idea.

When All Else Fails…

If you’ve tried these quick fixes and your car still won’t cooperate, then it’s time to call in the pros. Dial up that car towing service, and while you’re waiting, finally make some headway on that audiobook you’ve been “listening to” for months.

Remember, cars are like any relationship; they need time, care, and the occasional pick-me-up. Plus, they give you an excellent excuse to carry a toolbox and pretend you’re on a pit crew for a NASCAR team. Stay prepared, folks, and may your ride be as smooth as your last pick-up line.

Happy driving!