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pcrossl1
Newbie
Posts: 2
Registered: 11-9-2015
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What to do if vehicle breaksdown
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.
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Location: San Diego County
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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.
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bajatrailrider
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Best thing to carry> Tow Strap. Most Mexicans will pull you out,but dont have tow strap.
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rts551
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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 )
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bkbend
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Registered: 11-27-2003
Location: central OR or central baja
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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.
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BajaNomad
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Thread Moved
11-9-2015 at 10:08 AM |
mojo_norte
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check to make sure your car has a spare tire, jack and lug wrench.
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bajabuddha
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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.
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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motoged
Elite Nomad
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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 
Don't believe everything you think....
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Bob and Susan
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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
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dasubergeek
Senior Nomad
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If you get a flat and need a tire, just look for the nearest tope. 
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
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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.
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alacran
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Location: Mulege
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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.
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mojo_norte
Senior Nomad
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Registered: 2-14-2006
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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.
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alacran
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Yes there is Cell phone coverage to all cities.
No much coverage in between.
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mojo_norte
Senior Nomad
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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 .
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motoged
Elite Nomad
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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..... 
It's a cultural norm over much of Mexico....once I realized they weren't banditos.
Don't believe everything you think....
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Sweetwater
Senior Nomad
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Registered: 11-26-2010
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| 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
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Redundancy is redundant but good for those of us who tend to forget.
Wash, rinse, repeat.
Everbody\'s preachin\' at me that we all wanna git to heaven, trouble is, nobody wants to die to git there.-BB King
Reality is what does not go away when you stop believing in it. -Philip K Dick
Nothing is worse than active ignorance. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe(1749-1832, German writer, artist and politician)
When choosing between two evils, I always like to try the one I\'ve never tried before. - Mae West
Experience is what keeps a man who makes the same mistake twice from admitting it the third time around.
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motoged
Elite Nomad
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You can say that again !
Don't believe everything you think....
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Edguero
Nomad
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Location: O\'side/Punta Final
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Take pictures and post on facebook, lol, sorry couldn't help it.
Lots of great answers here.
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willyAirstream
Super Nomad
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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.
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