A day in the life of the road service

Posted on 04-12-2015 15:20 by dizono – 35 Comments”

Road-patrol Peter Michielse can 92 percent of all cars with a broken back on the road to help. But how does he do that? We drive for a day with Peter and his yellow bus.

That we, with Peter able to ride is, in itself particularly, as he’s only three months per year on a road service bus. Not that the rest of the time at home, on the contrary. Usually, Peter is per yellow motorcycle on the road. “Different than what many people think, has a Breakdown engine is about the same to buy the tools on board as a bus or van. The major difference lies mainly in the liquids and spare parts,” says Peter.

A good time to also take the arsenal of tools and parts in the bus (Volkswagen Transporter) under the microscope. Of course, a wide selection of tools, a compressor, a dozen or so different batteries, light bulbs, v-belts and lubricants. In addition, this bus also features a ‘wrong-tanked system’, for the drainage of fuel tanks where diesel or vice versa. The newer Transporters are equipped with a afsleepas, so the Us also own cars can afslepen and not have to wait on a hoist or beavertail truck. Peter: “only in unsafe places we can with the other cars in a short drag to the next exit or parking spot to run, so these new buses are a godsend.”

Everything starts with a diagnosis

As we get into the car and leave the camping site, get Peter through the big screen the first report of the central Axes. “A Volkswagen bus that has failed and won’t start,” reads Peter on his screen. “It all starts with a diagnosis, figure out what there is defective, so that we there is a solution can be found,” explains Peter, the process of the Breakdown. “Our goal is the customer back on the road, sometimes with a stopgap to the garage to be able to achieve, but preferably, of course, be final.”

If we have the white Transporter has been reached, according to Peter a few questions to the owner and staring for a few seconds with his flashlight under the hood. Then he can make the diagnosis though: the V-belt of the dynamo is broken. Just search in the bus and the right size is found quickly. A few minutes later, the string all over again. However, the white bus is still a starter to be hung, because the own battery is completely empty. The diesel comes without hesitation back to life and starts to simmer, add as usual, with a wide smiling customer as a result.

Never experienced

The following pechvogel is a few blocks away: a Ford Focus that after a week stand still a thumping sound while driving. Once again, Peter tries first with questions behind the cause, but the problem is not immediately clear. Peter, get in and drive a few meters to the parking space. “It seems to be a problem with the brake left rear”, it sounds like he is leaving. He elevates the Focus and takes the wheel. The cause is immediately apparent, though, Peter has this in his nineteen years on the road service never experienced before: the dwell is the brake pad to the disc is rusted and when pulling away is a piece of the brake lining of the disk sticking.

All of the advanced tools in his bus at sorry, this job is done with old-fashioned hammer and chisel. If the brake disc smooth again is can the wheel be mounted and it is time for advice to the client. “If it’s cold you better car in gear for parking and not the parking brake. In addition, I would at the garage as the brakes serviced. There is a piece of brake lining, and the effect is not that good. A fresh set of brake pads is probably necessary, but you can, in any case, the garage.”

Juicy anecdotes

How diverse is the work of a Breakdown is apparent when we a moment later, the red light district to pay for the motor scooter of a sexshopeigenaar again to get it. The Piaggio is without power, but the battery is located under the electrically open the saddle. A construction that only in Italy can think of… No problem for the ever cheerful Peter, twenty minutes of tinkering and a good number of juicy anecdotes of the equally cheerful storeowner further, the problem is solved. Anecdotes has Peter himself also. “I remember a time a couple had to help themselves out of their auto had left out. In the middle of winter and both of them were completely naked. We have blankets, and the car open again. The boy could be fun, however, the girl didn’t want to by the ground and disappear,” recalls Peter with a smile.

“We are in the first place then also professional. Sometimes a small defect, such as an empty battery, just the final straw for an already stressed customer. Then you not only need the car to work again to help, but also the director. I also sometimes at two o’clock at night, sitting on the guardrail philosophised about the meaning of life, while I was with the customer on the tow truck was waiting.”

Parts kit

When Peter ask about the number of cars that he is back on the road can help, he says modestly, but not without pride, “92 percent”. In the cases that we have the car to let afslepen, for example, broken links, collapsed timing belts (with all consequences), and other defects that we are not on-the-spot repair.” And what about the parts needed for some repairs? Peter: “our buses have a standard parts kit on board, with the most common parts that break. Just as we each year, refresher training, are also those packages again and again adapted to the cars that we most with bad luck. In addition, there are several locations also offer onderdelenkasten, so we have a component that is not in the bus is you can get in the neighborhood.”

That is apparent for the following breakdowns this afternoon is not needed, both the flat tire as the porous dieselleiding with air in the fuel system as a result, can on the spot to be repaired. Again, with happy customers as a result, something which is partly explained by the enthusiasm and the cheerfulness with which Peter himself is at work. “But I’ll call also always just before I arrive. Customers are often a little cranky, they are, after all, with luck and then have to wait for me. By to call and tell that I am, the angel, however. Let alone if they’re later again able to drive!”

More stories from the road service? Check them out here.

Gallery: ANWB road assistance

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