CHAPTER 10:

Much like having a best friend, owning a car is a fun experience – generally speaking. Alas, things can go wrong. You and your friend can have an argument. With your car, things can easily be as traumatic: you can break down and end up stranded on the side of the road. You can have an accident. Or your car could be hijacked or get stolen. But follow our trusty survival guide and you stand a good chance of avoiding those motoring nightmares.

Scenario number one: The breakdownWe’ve all heard horror stories about people breaking down and it always happens in the dead of night on a quiet road. In reality, a breakdown isn’t normally that traumatic; there is often a knight in shining armour to lend a helping hand (or, failing that romantic prospect, an auto club). But it’s still a stressful affair – so there are a couple of steps that you can take to prevent this happening in the first place.

The first is keeping your vehicle in tip-top running condition. Your

owner’s manual will stipulate precisely how often your car needs to be serviced. Don’t ignore these guidelines; cars are like relationships – they need attention. You must adhere to those service intervals anyway, because if you fail to do so, your car’s warranty may not cover any subsequent repairs.

Secondly, get to know your car – and especially those pesky lights on the dashboard. If they do light up, you need to know what they stand for. Once again, all this information will be in your owner’s manual. So read it!

SOS

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Two of the major causes of breakdowns are fuel (a lack thereof) and a burst tyre. Never ever allow your fuel to run to below a quarter tank. And always ensure that your tyres are in good condition and properly inflated. “Wear and tear are the main culprits behind flat tyres and blowouts. When you fill up with fuel get into the habit of checking your tyre pressure and tread at the same time, and look to see if there is anything, such as a nail or piece of glass, which is sticking in the tread but hasn’t punctured the tyre yet,” Green Flag, a British provider of breakdown cover, advises. Oh and don’t forget to check the spare!

Check the oil and tyre pressures on your car every time you refuel. Wash your car yourself once a month – and, while you’re at it, do a visual check on the general condition of your tyres and lights.

Of course, even if you adhere to these precautions, you could still break down – a

mechanical item on your car could fail. You need to be properly prepared, so consider keeping some essential items in your car, including: • Charger for your mobile telephone • Blanket • Bottle of water • First aid kit • Torch • Map • Matches • Energy bars • Wet wipes • Money (a secret stash of cash in the

boot) • Fire extinguisher • Reflective triangles • Jumper cables • Notebook and pen • Tyre bomb (tyre sealant canister)

Two of the major causes of breakdowns are fuel (a lack thereof) and a burst tyre.

Scenario number Two: The accidenTYou may think you’re the world’s greatest driver (and maybe you are). Despite this, chances are good that you will meet someone “by accident” one day. So, what do you do if this happens?

Specific legislation varies from country to country, but there are a couple of “rules of thumb” that apply the world over. If you do have an accident, your first priority is to check to see if anyone has been hurt. Then, you need to exchange your details with the driver of the other vehicle. “On a practical level being involved in an accident is a traumatic event. It is quite easy to forget your responsibilities and to act out of character,” comments Gary Ronald, public affairs manager, Automobile Association (AA) South Africa. “However it is very important to make sure that as the driver you obtain as much information from the driver of the other vehicle. Typically you would

need the other driver’s name and address, identity number, make of vehicle as well as the vehicle registration number.”

Always keep a notebook and pen in your glove box, in order to record these details. Your mobile telephone is a really handy tool: you can use it to photograph the actual crash site. If you don’t have a camera, a simple sketch plan of the accident could prove to be invaluable – especially if a court case results from the collision.

An important word of advice: while chatting to the other driver, stay calm (shouting or boxing never helps the situation). Always report the accident to police within 24 hours.

The AA suggests that, if your vehicle needs to be towed to a panel beater or body repair shop, you should contact your insurer and be guided by them as to who to call to do the recovery and where to take the vehicle. Always obtain a reference number.

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Scenario number Three: The TheFTIt happens every single day somewhere in the world: a car is stolen. It’s a horrible feeling: emerging from the mall only to find our much-loved set of wheels gone. But you can adopt some preventative measures to minimise the chances of your car going missing.

The first tip is the most obvious: lock your car! Incredibly, lots of people still don’t do this… with disastrous consequences! For instance, Princess Beatrice of England had her car stolen after she left the keys in the ignition. Locking your car won’t only minimise the chances of it being stolen; it will also reduce the chance of someone hiding in the back seat when you return.It’s a sad fact of life that, in South Africa, vehicle theft is commonplace.

Bearing this mind, we asked the South African Police Service for some tips to help minimise vehicle theft. The men and women in uniform suggest the following: • Park in well-lit areas • Lock all the doors and make sure the windows are all closed • Fit an alarm and immobiliser if your

car doesn’t already have one • Fit locks to your wheels so they can’t

be stolen • Leave nothing visible in your car • Be aware of your surroundings at all

times • Avoid stopping in remote areas

If you live in a country where vehicle theft is commonplace, a tracking device is a good idea.

Scenario number Four:

The hijackinGEven scarier is the prospect of vehicle

hijacking, because this can involve

personal risk. Once again, we turned to

the South African boys and girls in

uniform for advice, and this is what

they recommend: • Vary the route you travel to work and

back, if this is possible

• If strangers are loitering near or at

your driveway, drive past and alert

your security company or police

• Car hijackers or extortionists may

stage a minor accident to entrap you.

Be aware of this. If your car is

bumped from behind and you think

the situation is suspicious, drive to

the nearest police station for help

• If you are hijacked, cooperate fully. Do

not reach for your purse or valuables.

Leave everything behind if forced

from the car. Your life is more

valuable than your possessions

• Never give strangers a lift

• Become familiar with your route

before you start the trip

• Have your keys ready in your hand as

you approach your car, especially if

they are difficult to find in your

handbag. It’s possible to buy a leash,

which is attached to your handbag

and makes it easy to locate your keys

• Parking lots with parking attendants

or supervision are best

• At traffic lights, always leave enough

space between you and the car in

front of you so you are never boxed in

• As you near home, check around you

– any suspicious cars following you?

• Only turn into your garage or

driveway once the gate/door is open,

to prevent another car driving up

behind and blocking you in

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