Notes when calling for car rescue
When a vehicle has an accident and needs to call for help, the driver should pay attention to the following to make the rescue process go more smoothly.
Know basic information about the car
Over the phone, the rescuer will ask the driver to provide basic information about the vehicle such as: brand, name, year. This information will help the rescuer be more proactive in preparing technical tools as well as necessary spare parts for the vehicle.
If you are the owner of the car, things are quite simple. However, if it is a car borrowed from relatives, friends or rented from a third party, there will be some obstacles. Therefore, the driver should know the basic information about the car before getting in the driver's seat.
Detailed description of the problem
Similar to how a patient describes his or her symptoms in detail to a doctor, a driver should also provide as much detailed information as possible about the condition and symptoms of the vehicle before the incident.
More specifically, the rescue staff will ask the driver many simple questions to get the most general picture of the problems that the car is experiencing. Thanks to that, they can recognize the condition of the car as well as plan and prepare the necessary tools. What the driver needs to do is describe accurately and in detail according to the rescue team's request for the process to go smoothly.
Understanding basic vehicle symbols
MID (Malfunction Indicator Lights) is a system of icons with warning lights displayed on the speedometer right behind the steering wheel. Each icon is actually a visual illustration of a problem feature on the car.
The rescue team can assess the situation and even suggest a self-repair plan, so understanding these symbols is important and can be extremely helpful if your vehicle does break down.
Ask for details about repair costs
Currently, insurance and towage services include clauses that require drivers to reconfirm the cost of repairs before allowing them to perform towage work.
However, it would be wiser if the driver proactively asked about the vehicle's repair costs in advance, both to help prepare mentally when holding the bill and to ensure that no unnecessary problems or complications occur after the repair process.
Choose the right towing/hauling option
If the problems on the vehicle cannot be fixed on the spot, the rescue team will be forced to transport the vehicle to the service workshop for repair and replacement of components. At this point, the importance of knowing the information about the vehicle will come into play, directly affecting the choice of towing or transporting.
More specifically, choosing to tow or carry depends on the drive system of the vehicle that needs to be rescued. Currently, there are 3 main types of drive systems on cars, along with appropriate rescue options:
Front wheel drive vehicles: can be used for both towing and hauling, but towing is often used by rescue centers.
Rear wheel drive vehicles: These vehicles are often used by rescue centers for towing and pushing.
Four-wheel drive (4WD): rescue centers usually prefer to transport the vehicle. If towing is required, rescue workers will need specialized equipment (rollers) to support the remaining two wheels.
Warn other vehicles on the road when the vehicle has a problem
When a vehicle has problems on the road, the driver must always use the emergency signal lights (hazard lights) whether the vehicle is pulled over or not. This helps other vehicles to quickly recognize obstacles and control the speed when approaching the vehicle, avoiding unfortunate collisions.
In addition, drivers should also prepare warning signs, placed about 100 meters in front and behind the vehicle to ensure safety for themselves and other road users on that road.
