We’ve all been there: you’ve locked your keys in your car, you’ve put the wrong fuel in your car, or you feel ridiculous because you can’t get your petrol cap off at the service station. Believe it or not, these things happen a lot.
My least favourite sticky situation was having a cockroach run into the fuel opening while I had the fuel pump in. It was lucky that fuel didn’t spill out everywhere, but I calmly replaced the fuel pump and played the helpless female role to two tradesmen working at the service station.
They came to my rescue and squirted the thing out with WD40 then squashed it. In fact, fuel caps have been a constant source of helpless female moments for me. I owned a Jeep for four years and never once could open the fuel cap. I had to have my husband top up the fuel or, if caught out, had to have the service station attendant open it.
Then there was that one time in Belgium in –10o weather during a snowstorm when the fuel cap had frozen over and it took four guys and a credit card to open it!
While these stories are funny in retrospect, no one wants to play the victim, so here’s a list of some of the most common sticky situations and how to get yourself out of a jam.
1. Keys locked in car
Step 1: Call your breakdown service. If you don’t have a breakdown service or they’re not able to break into your car, try Step 2.
Step 2: Can you get access to your spare keys?
Step 3: Call a locksmith (usually the most expensive option).You or a friend may be tempted to try the old coat hanger trick. This can still work in many newer cars. However, you need to be careful as this method can cause damage to your door rubbers and scratch your paint. If you think you know what you’re doing then before attempting this get a 2L plastic milk bottle, cut the ends off and squash it. You can then put the coat hanger between the milk bottle and use it as a protective sleeve. I recommend avoiding this and calling in the professionals to avoid damage to your car.
2. Baby locked in car
This happens more than you would think. The most common cause is that the parent has given the keys to their baby, closed the doors and windows, and the baby then presses the door lock on the keys. This is a serious situation. The car will start to get hot and air will start to decrease. If you can’t immediately coax your child to press the unlock button, you can try smashing a window (the one farthest from the baby), or call your breakdown service. Your breakdown service will put you as first priority and get to you ASAP.
3. You run out of fuel
There are two common ways that people get caught out with no fuel:There is less than a quarter tank of fuel in the car. They park the car on an angle and leave it there for at least a day. The fuel at this point has drained out of the fuel system, causing the car not to start. The fuel gauge is likely to now say empty. If this happens to you, try seeking help to roll your car to a level road. Your car should then start.2. Your petrol gauge says empty, yet your car says you have 20km left before empty. These readings are never 100% accurate and catch many people out. Adding just a few litres of fuel gets them on their way again. If this happens to you, you can walk to your nearest service station, purchase a jerry can and 5L of petrol and be on your way again. Of course, if this is all too hard a breakdown service or mobile mechanic can help
3. You put the wrong fuel in
This is when you either put diesel in an unleaded car or vice versa. If you only put in a tiny amount (less than 1L) and then stop when you realise what you’ve done, you’re probably okay. If you’re then able to fill your tank completely with the correct fuel then the incorrect fuel will dilute without causing any issues. If, however, you’ve put in a lot more, stop your car immediately!Driving will cause major damage. If you realise at the service station, stay where you are. If you’ve started driving, pull over somewhere safe immediately (your car will be running rough and blowing white smoke). You will then have to call a mobile mechanic or call a tow truck to take your car to a mechanic. If you have a breakdown service, they will tow your car to a workshop for free.
4. Handbrake won’t hold on a hill
When parking, you can turn either your front or rear wheels (depending on whether you’re facing up or down the hill) until they’re resting on the gutter. If you drive a manual, make sure you put your car into gear and don’t leave it in neutral. You may also be able to find a brick and place it behind your wheels. Alternatively, find somewhere else to park.This is likely happening because either your handbrake needs adjusting or you have worn rear brakes. You should book into your mechanic as soon as possible.
5. The diesel fuel nozzle doesn’t fit
Many service stations now supply high-flow diesel for trucks and other commercial vehicles. These fuel pumps will not fit into a passenger car. Just look for an alternative diesel fuel pump at the same service station that doesn’t say ‘high-flow’.
6. Ants in the car
Ants can cause any number of phantom electrical problems such as your lights or wipers turning on by themselves. If you see any ants in your car, spray them with ant spray. Keep repeating until they’re all gone.The most common reason for ants is because a car is parked under trees and has a build-up of leaves under the bonnet. You can prevent ants by not parking under trees often, or just cleaning out the leaves on a regular basis.
7. Spider in the car!
Stay calm! Pull over and get out. Then, depending on your attitude to spiders and the resources you have at hand, you will have to remove the spider much like you would remove a spider from your house. If it escapes into a nook or cranny, only bug spray will get it out.Spiders typically enter cars from open windows, so make sure you close your windows when your car is parked, even when parked in your garage.
Everyone gets into sticky situations with their car at some point. By knowing what to do about them, you can avoid looking silly, stay cool under pressure and cruise through the situation like an expert.
Check out the Blue Toro Blog for more nifty tips and tricks for you car.
