Many drivers know the feeling of a car suddenly breaking down on the roadside. Even though well-maintained vehicles will not usually let you down, the storm that we had during the weekend, shows that flooding on Latvian roads is challenging, even for cars in a good technical condition. The most common technical problems that drivers encounter during the summer season are a result of both nature and the driver’s inattention.
Overflowing puddles, losing car keys while swimming or on a boat ride and a punctured tyre are just a few of the most often occurring problems that drivers encounter during summer. Daimler AG general representative in Latvia SIA Domenikss Passenger Car Service Manager Ainars Straume explains what to do if your car has broken down and where to look for help.
There are many reasons why technical assistance on the road may be required. ‘During the summer season the most common requests for assistance come from drivers whose car has a punctured tyre. It is also not uncommon for drivers, whose cabriolets have been patiently waiting for summer in the garage, to realise that the battery is flat. But technical problems are not always the reason why the car is not moving; sometimes mobile assistance calls are also received when the wrong type of fuel has been used, for example. Whereas, during the summer season, technical assistance was needed many times due to a driver realising that he lost his car keys while swimming,’ says Daimler AG general representative in Latvia SIA Domenikss Passenger Car Service Manager Ainars Straume, pointing out that assistance calls are rarely received regarding issues with electronics, which shows that drivers regularly monitor the technical state of their cars in most cases.
Car Has Stopped in the Woods? Who Do You Call?
‘A good car dealership takes care of its clients, even when they are located far away – this is one of the main reasons why it is worthwhile choosing the services of an authorised service station. We are available for our clients during the whole year, 24 hours a day, throughout almost all of Europe. This is standard practice. It is why the first thing to do in the case of a technical problem – is call your car dealership,’ says Ainars Straume. The common practice is to send service station employees to the location of the event (with a tow-truck if necessary) and to ensure that the client is able to get on the road immediately. Authorised service stations provide tow-truck services not only to passenger cars, but also passenger and cargo vans.
‘Before departing it is advisable to save the number of your dealership on your phone, look into the list of authorised service stations on your planned route and make sure you have a map printed out with you, especially outside of Europe, since you cannot be sure that internet will be available throughout the whole route,’ warns Ainars Straume.
Unknown Service Station or One of Ours – Which Do You Choose?
You should only look for help at unknown service stations if there are no other options; if there is a possibility, then you should go to authorised service stations where the car will be taken care of in accordance with the manufacturer’s standards, advises Ainars Straume. ‘Since the official dealership service station workers are trained to work with cars of a specific manufacturer and they have both a wide range of information and technical support available, the manufacturer’s representative will find the cause of the defect much faster than a worker at an independent service station. It does not mean, however, that you cannot find a good car specialist elsewhere as well, but these specialists will not always be able to provide repair in accordance with factory technologies, with specific instruments and repair parts that are guaranteed to be of high quality,’ points out the SIA Domenikss representative. He adds that the dealership can always be held responsible for its work, which may save you a lot of unnecessary worrying.
What Do You Do While Your Car Is Being Repaired?
If all previous maintenance has been performed in an authorised service station, then, in order for your daily plans to run smoothly, the service station provides you with a replacement vehicle or transport services while your car is being repaired.
‘However, drivers have to keep in mind that in most cases such services are only provided if technical maintenance is performed at an authorised representative, since we can only be responsible for our own work,’ points out Ainars Straume, explaining that drivers can receive bonuses such as free technical assistance regardless of their location in Europe, and a replacement car so that in the case of a technical defect our clients can immediately continue their journey. Our clients are also provided with services such as on-site help from a technician and repair at the place where the car has broken down; vehicle transportation to the service station; reimbursement of taxi or public transport costs, as well as aeroplane or train ticket costs; if necessary, we also cover hotel expenses up to EUR 400 per passenger while your car is at the service station — all of this is without additional costs.
‘Before you embark on your journey, it is advisable to make sure that you are ready for the long journey beforehand and to equip your car with everything necessary for self-help, especially if you do not use authorised service station mobile support programmes. Dealing with the problems by yourself may not only be difficult, it can also be quite expensive; therefore, it is better to make sure that there will not be any problems. Before a longer journey it is advised to check your brakes, wheels and tyres, battery, motor oil and other fluids, and also make sure that you have these fluids in reserve,’ says Daimler AG general representative in Latvia SIA Domenikss Passenger Car Service Manager Ainars Straume. It is just as important to assess the abilities of your vehicle before driving into the woods, and during rain and stormy weather, to drive through large puddles as carefully as possible.
