You're 150 miles from home, the engine warning light just came on, and there's a strange noise coming from under the hood. Your heart rate spikes. What now?
Breakdowns happen to every type of vehicle — owned, rented, new, or old. The key is knowing exactly what to do so a bad situation doesn't become a dangerous one. Here's your step-by-step action plan.
Step 1: Get Off the Road Safely
As soon as you notice a problem — warning light, strange sound, loss of power, vibration — begin moving to the right shoulder or the nearest safe exit.
- Turn on your hazard lights immediately
- Signal and move to the rightmost lane, then onto the shoulder
- Pull as far onto the shoulder as possible — ideally past a guardrail
- If you can't reach the shoulder, try to reach a parking lot, gas station, or wide intersection
- On a highway, aim for an exit ramp or emergency pulloff area
Never stop in a travel lane. A moving car with a problem is safer than a stopped car blocking traffic.
Step 2: Make Yourself Visible
Once stopped:
- Keep hazard lights on
- Place reflective triangles or flares 50–100 feet behind your vehicle
- If it's dark, turn on interior lights so other drivers can see the car
- If safe, raise the hood — this universally signals "disabled vehicle"
Step 3: Assess the Situation
From inside the car (stay in the vehicle if you're on a highway), evaluate:
- Flat tire? — You may be able to change it yourself if you're in a safe location
- Overheating? — Turn off the engine immediately. Do NOT open the hood while steam is escaping.
- Dead battery? — Jumper cables or a portable jump starter can solve this in minutes
- Warning light with no immediate symptoms? — You may be able to drive slowly to the nearest service station
- Strange noises, smoke, or fluid leaking? — Do not attempt to drive. Call for help.
Step 4: Contact Assistance
If you're driving a SWIFT rental:
- Open the SWIFT app — Access your active trip and tap "Roadside Assistance." SWIFT provides 24/7 assistance on every booking.
- Contact the host — Send a message through the app. Many hosts can offer guidance specific to their vehicle.
- Call SWIFT support — If the app isn't accessible, call the support number listed in your booking confirmation.
SWIFT's roadside assistance covers towing, tire changes, jump starts, lockout service, and fuel delivery — at no additional charge to the renter.
Step 5: Stay Safe While Waiting
- Stay inside the vehicle with your seatbelt on if you're on a highway shoulder — it's the safest place
- If you must exit, do so from the side away from traffic
- Stand well behind the guardrail if there is one
- Never attempt repairs in a travel lane or on a narrow shoulder
- Keep your phone charged — don't drain it on non-essential tasks while waiting
Step 6: Document Everything
Once you're safe:
- Take photos of the car's condition, location, and any visible damage
- Note your exact location (GPS coordinates, mile markers, or nearby landmarks)
- Save receipts for any towing or emergency services
- Record the time and sequence of events
This documentation helps with insurance claims and protects both you and the host.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
Before any trip, do a quick pre-trip safety check. And when booking on SWIFT, choose vehicles with strong maintenance records and positive reviews — hosts who take care of their cars are far less likely to leave you stranded.
Find well-maintained vehicles on SWIFT and travel with confidence.
