Nothing puts a damper on your day quite like your car breaking down while you're stuck in traffic. It's not only an inconvenient situation. It can also be extremely intimidating if it's never happened to you before. Whatever you do, stay calm. Panicking in the middle of the road will only make matters more stressful.

There aren't many ways to prevent a breakdown, but there are certainly steps you can take to ease the situation. Consider the following tips:

1. Prepare for the worst
You never know when something could go wrong with your ride. Keeping up with your car's routine maintenance services is helpful, but that's not always a safe bet. That's why you should always take precautionary measures before you hit the road. AARP suggested packing an emergency roadside kit to prepare for an unexpected breakdown. Include the following in the box:

• Emergency signaling devices.
• A pocket knife.
• A flashlight.
• A first-aid kit.
• Water.
• Non-perishable food items.

Before winter's arrival, add a warm blanket, hat, scarf and pair of gloves to the kit.

2. Turn on your hazard lights
Once you've realized there's something wrong with your car, turn on your hazards. This notifies the other drivers that something is wrong, and that they need to continue driving around you.

3. Move to a safe spot
After turning on your hazards, The Travelers Indemnity Company said you need to move your car over to a safe spot, whether it's on the side of the highway or a side street. This can keep the traffic flowing and prevent an accident from occurring. If your vehicle won't start back up at all, just remain inside and call for immediate assistance.

4. Set up the emergency equipment
If you've moved to a safe place and have the ability to leave the car, Esurance suggested setting up your flares and triangles right away if you have them. Both flares should be behind your vehicle – about 10 feet from each other – and the triangle should be closer to you and your vehicle. This helps passers-by see you despite darkness, rain or fog. It also gives the emergency assistance an easy ticket to find your location.

If you don't have the triangles or flares, simply pop your hood. It's the universal sign of a breakdown.

5. Use good judgment with strangers
It's a nice gesture when strangers pull over to help you out, but you want to be careful. Consumer Reports suggested exercising caution when someone unfamiliar approaches. If a suspicious person stops to help, let the stranger know you're OK and that a tow truck is on the way.

6. Always stay with your car
Moving away from your vehicle during a breakdown is never a good idea. Walking around aimlessly on the highway is unsafe. And if you've left your vehicle on the side street to go grab a burger while you wait, you could miss the tow truck. Staying with your car is a safe and practical move during this emergency situation.

7. Clean up your mess
If the reason you're broken down is because your fender or another car part fell off, make sure to pick it up before you leave. It's not only wasteful to leave such things behind, but it's also not good for the environment. Do your part and clean up the mess you've made before you flee the scene – just be sure to wait for traffic to die down if it's out in the middle of the road.

You can't predict when you'll break down, but you can do your best to make sure your car is always in its best shape. For routine maintenance services, head to New Jersey Auto Auction. Our technicians can fix up your ride and ensure you'll be safe on the road.

If they do find that your car is no longer suitable for the road, just check out our lot! We have hundreds of quality Carfax-certified vehicles that sell for a great price – perfect for an emergency situation.