How does it work to get help from car mechanics abroad? The engine light in our campervan comes on from time to time. We have has asked at several workshops in the past, but no one can find the fault. However, the last few times we have driven it has become worse.
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ShareTwice we were able to start the engine, but not drive forwards. On the way here to Cala Gonone in Sardinia, the tool icon also started to light up, so now we had two glowing lights on the dashboard. Time to find a mechanic! But what do you do when you're abroad and don't know the language?
Nearest petrol station
It is not the first time we have a problem with the engine light, but that doesn't make the problem any easier. The owner of the car park Camping Car Palmasera (who speaks English) sent us to the nearest petrol station. There we asked "Mecanico?" and showed pictures of "engine light" on a torn out page from the FIATS instruction book.
The man refuelling the cars thought for a while and then waved us into the shop where he called for a mechanic. Despite total language confusion, we were able to give the name of the parking space and the petrol station man announced "trenta minuti". How nice!!! And the conclusion is this: it is always possible to communicate in some way even if you don't know each other's language!
Get help from car mechanics abroad
And sure enough, after 30 minutes, the mechanic pulled up to our site and started to diagnose the problem. After two hours under the bonnet and a long test run, he announced (with the site owner as interpreter) that nothing serious is wrong, but that we need to change the oil and oil filter.
We were owed €45 for the quick response and now we know we're safe to go! To anyone who is worried about travelling in countries where you don't speak the language: it doesn't matter, it always works out!
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Lennart says:
Agreed, it always works out!
If only by using sign language!
Live well!
29 June 2015 - 18:09
Travel Friday says:
Oh how nice. I panic if the engine light is on here in Sweden, can't imagine how it would feel somewhere where you didn't know the language. You are so cool!
29 June 2015 - 18:13
nilS åke Hansson says:
I know from experience that everything will work out
Nisse
29 June 2015 - 18:13
FANTASYDINING-A blog about themed restaurants and travel says:
Thank goodness it worked out so quickly and well!
29 June 2015 - 18:21
Maggan and Ingemar says:
We still have a brilliant engine light after one year. We beat in about 1/2 dl of an agent that kills the microorganisms (there are many different names of the agent, which is available at most petrol stations) Now you drive in the countries where it can be, a little worse diesel and then this agent is needed. We managed until the other day when it was time again, new purchase at a petrol station and after about 15-30 minutes the lamp went out. Sought help both in Greece and Italy and no one could find any other fault than that it could be microoranisms. We do not know Italian or Greek then Google's translation with speech works perfectly 🙂 Experience all very helpful when you have problems abroad.
29 June 2015 - 18:40
admin says:
Lennart, sign language is often useful! 🙂
Resfredag, you're not a very experienced traveller either! 🙂 Most people are very helpful when travelling in Europe, we think.
Nils-Åke, that's our experience too! 🙂
FantasyDining, well we were surprised that we only had to wait half an hour!
Maggan and Ingemar, many thanks for your tip! It sounds interesting that agent, will see if we can manage to find it here in Italy! We also used Google Translate today, iofs without the sound, but we wrote things and then showed the mechanic! 🙂
29 June 2015 - 19:15
Role o Carina says:
Yes, sign language goes a long way in the world!
Have a nice continued journey 🙂
29 June 2015 - 21:18
Matts Torebring says:
That's exactly what you're dreading. We spent a midsummer night outside the door of a FIAT workshop in Göttingen. Almost in tears, after towing and "Come again next week", wherever the towing company called. It cost us €600. Yet the fault remained and we had to fix it at home. All because of a careless error at Östgöta Camping. That time I first picked up the phone on an ADAC pole on the motorway. Today I call "M" if something happens. Take care and hope you get help.
29 June 2015 - 21:52
Mr Steve says:
Wonderful!
In 1972, three friends and I travelled around Europe in my WV bus that was modified into a "camper". In Germany we had engine problems, but via a petrol station we came to a large WV workshop where they fixed everything, without charging. They seemed most happy that we were driving German.
29 June 2015 - 22:13
BP says:
What a fantastic service and very affordable by Swedish standards, I must say. Oh you are soooo right - it always works out. A motto I hold firmly to in all situations actually. So far it has held!
29 June 2015 - 22:27
Ditte says:
I always believe that "half the battle is won". Language confusion has never stopped me either...
Good that you got help so quickly! And that the cost was reasonable.
29 June 2015 - 23:15
Ruth in Virginia says:
In Sweden, everything would probably be closed for holidays. Tough luck!
🙂
(also hospitals are closed for holidays)
30 June 2015 - 0:29
admin says:
Rolle and Carina, sign language works everywhere! 🙂
Matts, oh that sounds hard! We also have M Roadside Assistance and we have used them once while travelling (northern Spain) - worked great! But this time the car has not stopped... it just signals that something is wrong.
Steve, fantastic! We're doing Italian, so that's also a good fit right now... 😉.
BP, we have had to go into workshops a few times during the trip, but so far always affordable. Nice! In addition, minimal waiting time! 🙂
Ditte, I sometimes hear people saying that they can't travel to this or that country because they don't know the language. We never think that language is an obstacle.
Ruth, yes holidays in Sweden are a scourge! Most things close, can agree...!
30 June 2015 - 7:39
Lena & Jan says:
Is there a particle filter in your Fiat engine? If so, the engine wants to do a combustion process (when heated to 200 ° to clear the filter and then the engine behaves as described! Should a Fiat city know! Our Iveco has it ? ?
30 June 2015 - 8:39
Ama de casa says:
I'm glad it wasn't something worse!
With charades, most things work out 🙂 .
30 June 2015 - 8:58
admin says:
Lena & Jan, thanks for the tips! We will try to find a FIAT or Iveco workshop. We are in FIAT's home country, so it should work 😉.
Ama de casa, charades are always useful 🙂 ).
30 June 2015 - 9:35