Quick Summary
- If a warning light comes on, stay calm, slow down and find a safe place to pull over.
- Check which light is showing, consult the vehicle handbook and call the roadside assistance or customer service number on your rental documents.
- Do not ignore red lights or audible alarms, and never keep driving if you suspect a serious mechanical issue.
Seeing a warning light in your hire car
You are cruising out of Las Vegas at sunset, enjoying the open desert highway, when a yellow symbol appears on the dashboard. Moments later a chime sounds and a message flashes up. It is one of the most common worries on a road trip, especially when you are far from home and not used to the vehicle.
Warning lights range from mild alerts, like a door not being fully closed, through to serious issues such as loss of oil pressure or overheating. Colours matter. Amber usually means you should check something soon, while red needs immediate attention. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right next step and keeps everyone in the car safe.
If you are driving a car hire booked through Hola Car Rentals, the golden rule is simple: safety first, phone second. Never try to push on to your destination just to save time. Instead, reduce speed, signal in good time and pull off the road at the earliest safe opportunity before making any calls.
First steps when a light appears
Once you have stopped somewhere safe, apply the parking brake and switch on your hazard lights if traffic is passing close by. Take a moment to identify which symbol is illuminated. Many vehicles show a short text description alongside the icon, but you can also check the handbook in the glovebox for more detail about what that specific warning means.
Never open the bonnet if you see smoke, smell burning or suspect a fuel leak. Move everyone away from the traffic and call the emergency services if you feel in immediate danger. For non urgent situations, contact the roadside assistance number shown on your voucher or the key tag, then follow the instructions from the agent.
If the car is still driveable and the advice is to visit a nearby branch or service point, head there slowly and avoid heavy acceleration or high speeds. For example, if you are returning to the airport you might head back towards the Las Vegas Airport pick up lane so staff can inspect the vehicle and decide whether a replacement is needed.
How Hola Car Rentals supports you
When you book through Hola Car Rentals you are not on your own if something goes wrong. Choosing our All Inclusive+ Rate with maximum coverage means many mechanical issues are covered, and the supplier will work to either repair the car or arrange a suitable replacement where possible. Hola Car Rentals can liaise with partners such as Alamo, Enterprise or Hertz to make sure the situation is properly logged and handled.
On selected itineraries Hola Car Rentals also offers free travel insurance up to 150000 dollars and maximum liability coverage of up to 300000 dollars. This combination gives you reassurance on long drives, whether you are crossing the desert or heading into the mountains. If you are planning high altitude routes, such as Denver mountain pass drives, it is worth choosing a package with strong support in case weather or steep climbs put extra strain on the vehicle.
Preventing warning light problems
Most modern vehicles are reliable, but a few simple habits reduce the chance of seeing dashboard lights in the first place. Take a quick walk around the car each morning, checking for obvious damage or low tyres. Make sure you use the correct fuel at every fill up. After picking up your keys, ask staff to show you where key controls like lights, indicators and bonnet release catches are located.
On longer days, schedule short breaks to allow both you and the vehicle to cool down, especially on hot routes such as San Francisco coastal routes where steep hills and traffic can keep engines working hard. Using air conditioning sensibly, avoiding sudden harsh braking and keeping to sensible speeds all help the car work efficiently and can prevent unnecessary alerts.
FAQs
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Q: Can I ignore an amber warning light if the car feels normal?
A: No. Amber lights are usually less urgent than red ones, but they still mean that something needs attention. It is best to stop as soon as you can, check the handbook and contact the assistance number for guidance. -
Q: Should I call Hola Car Rentals or the roadside assistance partner first?
A: Use the emergency or assistance number on your paperwork first so help can be dispatched quickly. Once you are safe, you can contact Hola Car Rentals with the incident reference so we can help track the case. -
Q: Will I be charged if the problem was not my fault?
A: Mechanical failures are normally the responsibility of the supplier, not the driver, although misuse or damage may be treated differently. Always keep any reports or invoices so Hola Car Rentals can review them after the trip. -
Q: What if a light comes on just before my return time?
A: Inform the desk when you arrive and avoid rushing through the inspection. It is better to allow staff time to check the vehicle thoroughly, even if that means a slightly longer handover.
If a dashboard symbol interrupts your journey, remembering these steps will help you stay safe and calm. With flexible cover and helpful support from Hola Car Rentals, you can book confidently and enjoy the drive knowing that help is close at hand if a warning light appears.
