What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down on Your Festive Road Trip

Breaking down in the middle of nowhere is one of the great South African road trip fears. That’s why, if you’re planning on going on holiday this festive season, you must be prepared for a breakdown.

This means understanding the vehicle breakdown checklist and also knowing what to bring along on the road, in case of a breakdown.

You could also consider a car rental service, like We Rent Cars, who offer breakdown guides and 24/7 roadside assistance, in case of emergency!  

Vehicle Breakdown Checklist: 5 Things to Do When Your Car Breaks Down

1. Always Be Prepared for a Breakdown 

Going on a long road trip across the scenic roads of South Africa can be challenging. There are many treacherous mountain paths and long, windy farm roads. Breakdowns are almost inevitable during the festive season… 

You need to prepare yourself for an eventual breakdown and plan ahead. This means compiling a list of emergency numbers, ensuring that your cellphone is always fully charged, bringing warning triangles, and the like. 

If you’re making use of We Rent Cars’ rent-to-buy subscription, follow the breakdown guide, should you get stranded this festive season.

2. Pull Off to the Side of the Road

If your car starts to breaks down during your December/January travels, your first priority should be moving it off the road. Regardless of what’s going on behind or ahead of your vehicle, you must ensure that you, your passengers, and other drivers on the road are kept out of harm's way.

You may have enough momentum after breaking down to safely steer to the side of the road or you may need to get out and push. 

Getting out of the vehicle is not recommended but if you’re on a quiet, countryside road for example, try and get your vehicle off of the road. 

3. Make Yourself Visible  

After moving your vehicle to the safest possible location, you’ll need to ensure that you’re always visible to other drivers. This gives other festive road trippers enough time to assess your situation on the road and create enough space to pass you safely.

There are multiple ways to make your vehicle visible to other drivers:

• Set up warning triangles or cones around your car (this is required by law).

• Turn on your hazard/emergency lights. 

• Fly a flag. 

• Prop open your hood. 

• Wear a luminous vest. 

• Use flares (only if absolutely necessary).

4. Call For Help 

After you’ve made yourself safe and visible - it’s time to get some help. Firstly, if you don’t know who to call, it’s best to get some sort of assistance. Calling the police to your location will provide safety and enhanced visibility for other drivers. 

However, if you have roadside assistance coverage, calling a mobile mechanic to your vehicle is your best bet. They may be able to get you on the road again or tow your car to a nearby workshop. 

We Rent Cars rent-to-own vehicle subscription comes with 24/7 assistance and access to workshops all around South Africa…

5. Assess The Problem Yourself 

When you break down on the side of the road it’s always best to wait for professional help. Mechanics generally recommend that you avoid diagnosing or attempting to fix the problem yourself - you could end up endangering yourself, other drivers, and the health of your car.

However, if you have the opportunity to do a quick inspection before help arrives, it could help speed up the process of getting your car moving again. Look out for:

• Sights: Warning lights, abnormal readings on gauges, engine temperature. 

• Sounds: Banging, clanging, crunching noises - any sounds your vehicle doesn’t normally make.

• Smells: take note of rotten egg, burning plastic, and gasoline smells - they could indicate engine problems, including issues with the catalytic converter. 

What Not to Do When Your Car Breaks Down

Now that you know the vehicle breakdown checklist, here are a few things you should never do if your car breaks down:

• Don’t exit the vehicle using the doors nearest to the traffic. 

• Don’t stand around the vehicle - stay a safe distance away from the road. 

• Don’t accept help from unknown or unofficial sources. 

• Don’t flag down other drivers. 

• Don’t leave your vehicle in the middle of the road. 

• Don’t assume that you’re visible - make yourself visible. 

We Rent Cars Offers 24/7 Roadside and Breakdown Assistance 

Breaking down while on a festive road trip, especially in a country like South Africa, where the roads are sometimes treacherous, is almost a certainty. It’s best to prepare ahead and understand the breakdown checklist, should it happen to you. 

If you’re thinking of renting a car for the festive season - consider We Rent Cars rent-to-buy vehicles and subscription. The subscription offers a number of benefits to clients, including 24/7 roadside assistance, no matter where you are! 

We Rent Cars has workshops all around the country and will be able to send a mechanic to your location as fast as possible. We also offer comprehensive breakdown services and accident reporting to help you out when you’re stranded.

The best part about the rent-to-own subscription? At the end of the rental period, the car is yours!