Things to keep in mind when calling for roadside assistance.

Knowing the basics about the car.

Over the phone, rescue personnel will ask the driver to provide basic information about the vehicle, such as: make, model, and year. This information will help rescue workers be more proactive in preparing the necessary tools and spare parts for the vehicle.

If you own the car, things are quite simple. However, if it's a borrowed car from relatives, friends, or rented from a third party, there will be some complications. Therefore, drivers should familiarize themselves with basic information about the vehicle before getting behind the wheel.

Detailed description of the incident

Just as patients describe their symptoms in detail to their doctors, drivers need to provide as much detailed information as possible about the condition and symptoms of their vehicle before an incident occurs.

More specifically, rescue personnel will ask the driver a series of simple questions to get the most general understanding of the problems the vehicle is experiencing. This allows them to identify the vehicle's condition and plan accordingly, preparing the necessary tools. The driver's role is to accurately and comprehensively describe the situation as requested by the rescue team to ensure a smooth process.

Understanding the basic symbols on a car.

MID (Malfunction Indicator Lights) is a system of warning symbols and lights displayed on the speedometer behind the steering wheel. Each symbol is actually a visual illustration of a malfunctioning feature on the vehicle.

The rescue team can assess the situation and even suggest self-repair solutions. Therefore, understanding these symbols is crucial and will be extremely helpful if the vehicle unfortunately encounters a problem.

Ask for details about the repair costs.

Currently, insurance and roadside assistance services include clauses requiring drivers to verify the repair costs before allowing them to perform roadside assistance.

However, it would be wiser for drivers to proactively inquire about the repair costs beforehand. This helps prepare them mentally for the bill and ensures that unnecessary problems and complications are avoided after the repair process.

Choose the right towing/transporting method.

If the vehicle's problems cannot be fixed on-site, the rescue team will have to transport the vehicle to a service workshop for repairs and parts replacement. At this point, the importance of knowing the vehicle's condition becomes crucial, directly influencing the choice of towing or transporting.

More specifically, choosing between towing or transporting depends on the vehicle's drivetrain. Currently, there are three main types of drivetrains in cars, each with its own appropriate rescue options:

Front-wheel drive vehicles: both towing and transporting methods can be used, but rescue centers usually use towing.

Rear-wheel drive vehicles: these are often used by rescue centers for towing and pushing.

For four-wheel drive vehicles: rescue centers usually prefer towing. If towing is necessary, rescue personnel will need specialized equipment (rollers) to assist the remaining two wheels.

Alerts other vehicles on the road when the vehicle experiences a breakdown.

When a vehicle breaks down on the road, drivers must always use their hazard lights, whether or not the vehicle has pulled over to the side of the road. This helps other vehicles to quickly identify the obstacle and control their speed when approaching the vehicle, avoiding unfortunate collisions.

In addition, drivers should also prepare hazard warning signs, placing them about 100 meters in front of and behind their vehicles to ensure their own safety and the safety of other road users on that stretch of road.