Take our 10-question quiz to find out if you're prepared for Iceland's roads — then read our complete breakdown guide so you know exactly what to do if things go wrong.
Answer honestly — most tourists aren't as prepared as they think.
What to do in 7 common breakdown scenarios. Read it now — save it before you lose signal.
Cold Icelandic temperatures drain batteries fast, especially overnight. This is the most common breakdown we see.
Ask a nearby driver for help. Icelanders are very willing to assist. Connect red (+) to positive terminal, black (-) to negative or bare metal.
Many rental car companies have a breakdown number. Call them first — they may cover the cost of assistance.
We carry jump-start equipment and can reach most Westfjords locations within 30–90 minutes.
Don't brake suddenly. Steer gently to a safe flat area away from the road. Turn on hazard lights immediately.
Most rental cars have a spare under the boot floor. Also check for a tyre repair kit (foam sealant) — some rentals use these instead.
F-road gravel is extremely harsh on tyres. Drive slowly (max 60km/h on gravel), steer smoothly, avoid sharp stones at the road edge.
We can tow you to the nearest service point or bring a replacement wheel in some cases.
Spinning makes it worse — you dig deeper. Stop, assess, and think before acting.
Alternate gently between forward and reverse. Use the lowest gear. If you have traction mats or floor mats, place them under the drive wheels.
Use anything available — a shovel, a stick, your hands. Clear a path about 1 metre in front of each drive wheel.
F-roads require 4WD by law in Iceland. If you drove a standard car onto an F-road, turn back immediately.
We specialise in off-road and snow recovery across the Westfjords. This is what we do every day.
If the temperature gauge is in the red or steam is coming from the bonnet, stop driving at once. Continuing will destroy the engine.
Wait at least 30 minutes for the engine to cool. Opening a hot radiator cap can cause serious burns.
If the coolant reservoir is empty, the engine overheated due to a leak. Do not add cold water to a hot engine.
An overheated engine should be inspected by a mechanic before driving again. Call us and we'll tow you to safety.
Iceland's emergency number is 112. This covers ambulance, fire and police. Always call 112 before anything else if there are injuries.
If the car is driveable, move it off the road. Place a warning triangle behind the car if you have one.
Photograph all vehicles, damage, the road, and any road signs. Get the other driver's name, phone, registration plate and insurance details.
In Iceland, accidents with injuries or significant damage must be reported to police (112). Also notify your rental car company immediately.
We handle post-accident vehicle recovery across the Westfjords, working with insurance and rental companies.
Distances between fuel stops can exceed 100km. Always fill up when you see a station, even if you don't need much fuel.
Ísafjörður, Patreksfjörður, Hólmavík, Bíldudalur and Reykhólar all have 24h automated card pumps. Check before departure.
Running a fuel pump dry can damage it. Pull over safely as soon as the warning light comes on.
We know all the Westfjords routes and can either bring fuel or tow you to the nearest station.
Google Maps, Maps.me and Gaia GPS all allow offline download. Do this on WiFi before entering remote areas.
+354 783-1783 — Fjalladráttur. Save it as "Iceland Breakdown" in your phone contacts before you leave the hotel.
Do NOT walk off into the Icelandic wilderness. Your car is visible from the road, you are not. Stay warm inside the vehicle and wait.
iPhone 14+ and many Android phones support Emergency SOS via satellite. This works even with no mobile signal and connects to rescue services.
In the Westfjords fjords, mobile signal is often available on hilltops. A short walk uphill can restore enough signal to make a call.
Things the rental car company probably didn't tell you.
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