A warning light appears in your rental car
Use the vehicle instructions and supplier assistance to establish what to do. A symbol on an unfamiliar dashboard should not be diagnosed from a general travel article.
Keep Who to contact when a rental car breaks down available if the vehicle cannot continue. Familiarisation through Learn the rental car controls before leaving the branch helps identify the actual display without guessing at a diagnosis.
Read the actual message safely
Stop in a safe place when appropriate and consult the vehicle guidance. Record the symbol or message without using a phone while driving. If the vehicle instructions indicate stopping or urgent action, follow them and contact assistance.
Ask for an authorised decision
Describe what you observed, when it began and whether the vehicle behaviour changed. Ask whether you should remain stopped, attend a branch or await recovery. Keep the case reference and instruction. Do not reset warnings or authorise repairs yourself simply to continue the itinerary.
Record the warning without experimenting
From a safe stationary position, note the exact message, symbol and when it appeared. Consult the vehicle instructions and assistance contact. Do not reset a warning, continue against instructions or authorise repairs to see whether the problem disappears. Keep the authorised next step with the rental record.
| Check | What to record |
|---|---|
| Observation | Exact display and change in vehicle behaviour |
| Instruction | Vehicle guidance and assistance decision |
| Record | Case number, time and approved action |
Your practical checklist
- Use the supplier’s verified assistance channel.
- Give the exact displayed message rather than a guessed diagnosis.
- Retain any replacement-vehicle or return instructions.
The question to resolve before you proceed
What does the supplier authorise me to do with this vehicle now?
Explore the full topic in Rental car problems: contacts, records and resolution.
