BajaNomad

What to do if vehicle breaksdown

pcrossl1 - 11-9-2015 at 08:51 AM

I am all booked up for the trip to Baja. First time and been thinking about it for years. The plan includes a drive north from Cabo to San Ignacio in a rental car. I will then return to Cabo. North of La Paz I have been advised that I am on my own if I breakdown.
If I need roadside assistance I am pleased to hear about the green angels but how widespread/frequent are the patrols.
What happens if my car needs to be towed to a service station/garage to get the car fixed.
Just done a search on car breakdown and nothing specifically answers all the questions I have ref breaking down. Is there a post somebody can point me to. Any help really appreciated as this aspect is beginning to worry me a bit now.

David K - 11-9-2015 at 09:02 AM

Welcome to Nomad and do post a report after your trip please!

1) Things in Baja always seem to work out. Breakdowns or stucks become great campfire stories in the future.
2) The Green Angels, if they are still patrolling, will make repairs if possible, and only charge for parts. We didn't see one on our last trip to Baja Sur.
3) Mexicans are great mechanics and they are often the first stop and offer help if you are broken down while the rich norteamericanos zoom by.

bajatrailrider - 11-9-2015 at 09:10 AM

Best thing to carry> Tow Strap. Most Mexicans will pull you out,but dont have tow strap.

rts551 - 11-9-2015 at 09:16 AM

Yes the Green angles still patrol.

dial 078 for help or 074 for roadside assistance (English is spoken)

In areas where there is no cell service, flag someone down who can stop at the nearest town to send help.

Almost all towns have some sort of tow service (grúa )

bkbend - 11-9-2015 at 10:02 AM

Don't worry, be happy, at least you broke down in Baja and not someplace with snow. Carry drinking water, your wait for a tow may be a while due to previously mentioned lack of cell service between towns. You might also check with your rental company for the procedures they would like you to follow. I'm sure they've had a breakdown before.

mojo_norte - 11-9-2015 at 10:51 AM

check to make sure your car has a spare tire, jack and lug wrench.

bajabuddha - 11-9-2015 at 11:20 AM

Ask your rental car company for 'breakdown information'; they should have #s to call for assistance. Also, inspect your car thoroughly for dings and dents before you drive it off the lot, and document every scratch with the agent.

If something does happen on the road and you have to leave your car to get help, if possible take all your personal belongings with you; things have a habit of growing legs in abandoned vehicles. You shouldn't have to though, hopefully "Espiritu Baja" will come to the rescue; the camaraderie of fellow travelers. Not what it used to be, but it's still there in a few of us.

Happy sailing, DO NOT drive at night, and hope you have a great trip. Let us know when you're done.

motoged - 11-9-2015 at 11:32 AM

Rental companies don't like you exploring backroads in their vehicles. Follow the previous advice and be sure the vehicle seems to be working well before getting off the beaten pavement.....

Flats and getting stuck in sand will be likely the issues most often....make sure spare tire has a rim designed for that car, has air in it, and the jack works....

Eat tacos whenever possible, don't drive at night, and use pesos....not gringo $$$

Eat more tacos.....don't drive at night, and make sure you have your own roll of TP for those moments...

Carry a gallon jug of water, eat more tacos, and don't drive at night :saint:

Bob and Susan - 11-9-2015 at 03:47 PM

if you are renting from a "real" rental company they will back their cars...

I've seen rental companies send a repair guy to mulege from tj overnite

tires and flats can be fixed anywhere and the rental company will reimburse you

forget about a tow strap and the gallon of water...bring a phone and some pesos
Baja is NOT the "wild west" any longer
every town has repair places

dasubergeek - 11-9-2015 at 04:02 PM

If you get a flat and need a tire, just look for the nearest tope. :biggrin:

Bajahowodd - 11-9-2015 at 05:55 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  
if you are renting from a "real" rental company they will back their cars...

I've seen rental companies send a repair guy to mulege from tj overnite

tires and flats can be fixed anywhere and the rental company will reimburse you

forget about a tow strap and the gallon of water...bring a phone and some pesos
Baja is NOT the "wild west" any longer
every town has repair places


Inasmuch as the the original poster is only going as far North as San Ignacio, your advice works. But having phone will be of no help North of Guerrero Negro in the off the grid territory.

The good news is that in that area, there will be many passersby who will help, including the green Angels, even though I have not seen many of them in the past few years, and my sightings have mostly been in populated areas.

alacran - 11-9-2015 at 06:09 PM

I live permanently in Baja over 11 years, and have traveled the Baja Hwy. Fore more than 30 yrs.
All the recommendations are good and valid, but do keep at least a gal. of drinking water handy. Tow strap is good thought, cell phone is good if you know who to call???
DO NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT, also the Policia Federal (Carry black and white) will help.
Carry Pesos (in your pocket, do not show them)
Good luck.

mojo_norte - 11-9-2015 at 06:09 PM

Is there cell phone coverage between La Paz and Constitución ? Constitución and Loreto ? Loreto and Mulege ? I think water and tow strap is a good call.

alacran - 11-9-2015 at 06:13 PM

Yes there is Cell phone coverage to all cities.
No much coverage in between.

mojo_norte - 11-9-2015 at 06:19 PM

Yeah - so if you break down 20 miles south of El Cien in the middle of no where a tow strap might be nice to have .

motoged - 11-9-2015 at 07:19 PM

If stranded between cell service areas.....and if you have a tow strap....string the tow strap across the highway and stand there with a coffee can wrapped in paper with a red cross on it....or some such municipal emblem....people will stop as they will just think you are another tope collection project....often for a good cause..... ;D

It's a cultural norm over much of Mexico....once I realized they weren't banditos.

Sweetwater - 11-9-2015 at 07:45 PM

Quote: Originally posted by motoged  
Rental companies don't like you exploring backroads in their vehicles. Follow the previous advice and be sure the vehicle seems to be working well before getting off the beaten pavement.....

Flats and getting stuck in sand will be likely the issues most often....make sure spare tire has a rim designed for that car, has air in it, and the jack works....

Eat tacos whenever possible, don't drive at night, and use pesos....not gringo $$$

Eat more tacos.....don't drive at night, and make sure you have your own roll of TP for those moments...

Carry a gallon jug of water, eat more tacos, and don't drive at night :saint:


Redundancy is redundant but good for those of us who tend to forget.

Wash, rinse, repeat.

motoged - 11-9-2015 at 07:48 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Sweetwater  
...

Redundancy is redundant


You can say that again !

Edguero - 11-9-2015 at 08:30 PM

Take pictures and post on facebook, lol, sorry couldn't help it.
Lots of great answers here.

willyAirstream - 11-9-2015 at 08:43 PM

Water is a must, some for you and some in case the rental overheats and in case another car needs it. Tow strap is a must. Been here 5 years and have never seen a green angel or any angel. Almost guarantee, no more than 10 cars will go by before someone stops to help. No worries.

bajabuddha - 11-9-2015 at 11:51 PM

Anyone mention, DON'T DRIVE AT NIGHT?? Just askin'....... :biggrin:

BajaBlanca - 11-10-2015 at 03:46 AM

this really, really (is that redundant?) is a very, very funny thread!.

I hope your trip is fun and safe and surely your rental car will be just fine.

obviously your first stop will be at a store to buy tow rope. then water. then snacks for the road. keep your documents on your body at all military checkpoints. keep your eye on the guards as they search your stuff. don't drive at night because you then share the road with cows looking for warmth on asphalt. have fun!

Bob and Susan - 11-10-2015 at 06:02 AM

a rental doesn't need a tow strap...

the "green angles" drive from mulege to loreto once a day...
...well most days
I see them all the time in mulege

if you take water...make it drinking water for you not the car...
there's water all over Baja for an engine...(think salt water)

rentals are NOT from the 1970's they are a year or two old
new cars are better than old ones

the odds are you won't break down unless you do something stupid

as for driving after dark...it's not that bad in a car
just pay attention and use common sense
and drive slower...then you can see a cow in advance if he there

don't drink and drive...some people think that's ok here...its not

old people have trouble seeing after dark so they shouldn't drive after the sun goes down

the roads have glowing "bots dots" and are in pretty good shape

I would say...for sure...don't drive if its going to rain





[Edited on 11-10-2015 by Bob and Susan]

bajatrailrider - 11-10-2015 at 10:02 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  
a rental doesn't need a tow strap...

the "green angles" drive from mulege to loreto once a day...
...well most days
I see them all the time in mulege

if you take water...make it drinking water for you not the car...
there's water all over Baja for an engine...(think salt water)

rentals are NOT from the 1970's they are a year or two old
new cars are better than old ones

the odds are you won't break down unless you do something stupid

as for driving after dark...it's not that bad in a car
just pay attention and use common sense
and drive slower...then you can see a cow in advance if he there

don't drink and drive...some people think that's ok here...its not

old people have trouble seeing after dark so they shouldn't drive after the sun goes down

the roads have glowing "bots dots" and are in pretty good shape

I would say...for sure...don't drive if its going to rain

Green Angels are nice,after 5 hour wait.You will wish you had 20$ tow strap.:)



[Edited on 11-10-2015 by Bob and Susan]

bajaguy - 11-10-2015 at 10:10 AM

Just did an Ensenada to Mulege and return trip. In 8 days saw 2 Green Angel trucks, parked, nobody around. 2 federal police cars, and a few municipal police trucks.

If you are worried about breakdowns, be prepared to take care of it yourself. A $20 tow strap is cheap insurance


[Edited on 11-10-2015 by bajaguy]

willyAirstream - 11-10-2015 at 10:18 AM

what do the green angel trucks look like?

alacran - 11-10-2015 at 12:36 PM

The GREEN angel trucks are NO RED. LOL.

David K - 11-10-2015 at 12:36 PM

Quote: Originally posted by willyAirstream  
what do the green angel trucks look like?


That is a pretty sad statement about their effectiveness when you live along Hwy. 1 and have never seen a Green Angel... When we didn't see one last July, I wondered if they were phased out?

Here's a photo of one being towed (or pushing a van) to Ensenada from Ojos Negros or beyond, as we passed it...




Now the last time I saw one, the trucks were more white than green.

willyAirstream - 11-10-2015 at 12:49 PM

pic is blurry,, ***JOKING**
Nope, 5 years and I have never seen one and I go between Loreto and Santa Rosalia alot.


have not seen any red ones either (now red, Paul?)

pcrossl1 - 11-10-2015 at 12:52 PM

Thanks for the advice. I can't wait for this trip. I feel much easier about the drive if you take all the precautions. Which I will.

my biggest fear for not driving at night was bandits. Looks like its mainly animals that you may crash into. Anyhow I will drive only during the day.

Bob and Susan - 11-10-2015 at 01:03 PM

Quote: Originally posted by willyAirstream  
pic is blurry,, ***JOKING**
Nope, 5 years and I have never seen one and I go between Loreto and Santa Rosalia alot.


have not seen any red ones either (now red, Paul?)


willy...there was one down the ice house road today at 11am...
of course I didn't have my camera with me...

willyAirstream - 11-10-2015 at 01:22 PM

I am sure they are here, just that it would be good to know what they look like, just in case.

joel - 11-10-2015 at 01:22 PM

I've been driving in Baja for almost 30 years and have never had a breakdown.... until two weeks ago. Picked up my car from storage at the airport in Loreto, 20 minutes later the electrical went completely out. I pulled off the road, got out of the car and stuck my thumb out. I was picked up by the first car, a Mexican. It took about 30 seconds of waiting. He let me load all my luggage in his car and took me back to Loreto Storage - and he refused the money I offered him. Refused. At Loreto Storage, the fantastic people there arranged a tow truck. My SUV was back in Loreto in about an hour - and this was on a Sunday afternoon during the local off-road race!

Bob and Susan - 11-10-2015 at 02:29 PM

did you need a tow strap...no
you need pesos

bajabuddha - 11-10-2015 at 03:31 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  


as for driving after dark...it's not that bad in a car
just pay attention and use common sense
and drive slower...then you can see a cow in advance if he there



Yep, it's much easier to see that black cow come right over the hood and into the passenger compartment through the windshield, even at slow speeds. That's the least common-sensical statement I've read here yet. I've seen pick-ups totaled by a cow... and a little rental car is better because you drive slower??

Especially if you are new to Baja, DO NOT drive at night. Blind curves and deep vados are havens for bovine bumper bangers; and if the cow doesn't get you, the person coming the other way who swerves does, even in the daytime. It's a different ballgame on Hwy 1.

All the other advice here is ok, some more than others. This tidbit may save your lives.

edit added: another hint of driving Baja; if a vehicle coming the other way flashes headlights at you or has double-blinkers on (emergency flashers) ... slow down and pay attention; it's a universal Baja sign there's hazard up ahead, from possibly a cow in the road, a spandex-sporting pedal pusher in the middle of the lane, or a wreck. And conversely, if you see a hazard, you can warn oncoming traffic the same way. What goes around comes around. Happy trails.

[Edited on 11-10-2015 by bajabuddha]

willyAirstream - 11-10-2015 at 03:46 PM

tell him your horse story JB

Bajahowodd - 11-10-2015 at 05:51 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy  
Just did an Ensenada to Mulege and return trip. In 8 days saw 2 Green Angel trucks, parked, nobody around. 2 federal police cars, and a few municipal police trucks.

If you are worried about breakdowns, be prepared to take care of it yourself. A $20 tow strap is cheap insurance


[Edited on 11-10-2015 by bajaguy]


You support my point that unlike years ago, there are very few Green Angels trucks and in the last few years, I too have only seen them on the side of the road in populated areas.

Have to wonder if their budget didn't get cut.

Green Angles

J.P. - 11-10-2015 at 07:55 PM

In the past I have ben helped buy the Green Angels, both times they were very knowledgeable trouble shooters and absolutely refused to take a tip.
You can always rely on a Mexican local to stop and help and be prepared to receive good treatment they will go to great length to help.

4x4abc - 11-10-2015 at 08:19 PM

love this thread! No name calling. No anger. No brand bashing. Lovely.
Keep it up guys!

wessongroup - 11-10-2015 at 11:01 PM

When a kid ... my old man used to carry all kinds of spare parts and tools .. for brake downs and stopping to helps others was just part of the "drill" ... as there wasn't any ... :lol::lol:

A bad cut out there could be really bad or a lot of other things

Paved roads ... air conditioned trucks and cars that are very much able to do most anything ... much different

But, still fun to see and read about ... thanks

bajatrailrider - 11-11-2015 at 07:37 AM

Another good reason,to carry tow strap.Over 4 times this year,I have moved off the highway.Three neighbors cars,and one tourist with kids in the car.Sometimes its nice to help others.

gnukid - 11-11-2015 at 08:31 AM

Had a few breakdowns recently. Good things to have:

duct tape, electrical tape
screwdriver, pliars, wire cutters, a few wrenches and sockets
electrical tester, spare insulated wire and connectors
water, oil, brake fluid, wd 40, lubricating oil
jack, lug nut wrench, spare tire

Green Angel & Crew 1974 Cataviña

David K - 11-11-2015 at 05:46 PM


nandopedal - 11-12-2015 at 02:53 PM

Besides all the above stated a mountain bike is always part of my arsenal although I perfectly understand that not everybody likes to pedal.