Car Safety and Emergency Guides from The Car Doctor
The moments nobody plans for: a dead battery with groceries locked in the trunk, a car that won't start in a parking lot, a new baby seat that has to go in right the first time. These guides give you the general steps and the safety rules that apply to every car.
Your owner's manual always has the final word for your exact vehicle, and when in doubt, call roadside assistance. You can also call the Car Doctor.
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How to Make Your Electric Parking Brake Set Itself in Park
Some electric parking brakes engage on their own when you select Park or turn the vehicle off; on others it is a setting you switch on. Here is how it works, why Auto Hold is a different feature, and what to do when the warning light comes on.
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How to Install a Car Seat in Canada (With or Without UAS)
UAS or seat belt, both can be safe when done right. Here is how Canadian guidance says to lock the belt, use the tether, pass the 2.5 cm test and fit the harness, plus Ontario's stage rules and what Toronto winters mean for puffy coats.
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How to Use the Child Safety Lock on Car Doors
A child lock keeps a rear door from opening from inside. Here is where to find the switch, how electronic locks and the window lock work, how to test it, and how an adult gets out of the back.
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What to Do When Your Key Fob Battery Is Dead
A dead fob battery rarely leaves you stuck. Here is how to spot a weak battery, get in with the hidden key, deal with the alarm, start a push-button car anyway, and change the coin cell.
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How to Move a Car That Won't Start (and Get It Into Neutral)
A dead car is usually stuck in Park. Here is how the shift lock release and manual park release work, how to push a car safely with helpers, why you can't push-start an automatic, and when an all-wheel-drive vehicle needs a flatbed.
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How to Open Your Trunk When the Car Battery Is Dead
A dead battery locks most power trunks and liftgates. Here is the order to try things in: the hidden key in the fob, a jump or booster to restore power, the rear seats and the interior release, and when to hand it to roadside assistance.
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Road Trip Checklist for Kids and Older Parents
Taking the kids and your parents on a long drive? Check the tires, fluids, wipers, lights and battery, pack a proper winter kit, fit the car seats right, plan regular stops and keep everyone's medications close. Here is the full list.
