AUTOMOTIVE
QUICK GUIDE - MEXICO
BUYING GAS:
Look for PEMEX stations (Mexico's nationally owned service station
monopoly). Gas is sold in liters (3.78 liters=one gallon). Gas is
available in two grades: “Nova” (blue pumps) is a leaded, 81-octane
fuel while “Magna Sin” (green pumps) is unleaded. It is customary to
tip your service attendant a peso or two. (There is no self-service.)
TO THE RESCUE:
Major Mexican highways are patrolled by the Green
Angels (Los Ángeles Verdes). They patrol
more than
48,000 km of highway along 254 designated routes. These
government-operated pickup trucks are driven by English-speaking,
trained mechanics. They have a nationwide, 24-hour hotline that can be
reached by calling (01) 800-903-9200. It would be wise to have your
cell phone re-programmed to work in Mexico if driving long distances
(and don't loose the help number above!). The service is free, except
for parts and gas. (In 1999 the Green Angels assisted 588,000 visitors
and serviced 143,500 vehicles while patrolling over 21 million km of
highways!)
INSURANCE:
Mexican auto insurance is mandatory, since your
U.S. policy is invalid in Mexico. Note that even when accepting the
rental agency's insurance, deductibles are quite high (often as high as
5% of the vehicles replacement cost!) Any Mexican auto insurance
coverage you purchase should include
claims adjusters that will come to the scene of an accident and an
attorney.
This becomes very important since, in the event of an accident, you are
not allowed to move your vehicle and you may be detained by the police
in
the event that anyone is hurt until fault can be established.
Mexican law is napoleonic - this means that you are guilty until proven
innocent. The person deciding this will most likely be the policeman
who
arrives at the scene of the accident, especialy if you cannot provide
proof of Mexican
auto insurance and/or produce an insurance adjuster appears.
TRAFFIC ACCIDENT:
When a traffic accident does occur, the police may impound your
vehicle,
especially if there is no one there to help you defend your rights such
as an insurance adjuster and/or an attorney. Also know that in the
event
that someone is injured and you are found responsible, you might not
only
be held liable for that persons medical expenses but also for
financially
supporting them and their dependents until they recover. If you have an
attorney he will probably be able to help you negotiate a more
reasonable
settlement than that which you could negotiate on your own.
TURN SIGNALS - BRAKE LIGHTS:
Remember that most people do not use their turn signals and not all
cars you see on the road have functioning brake lights. Avoid accidents
by keeping your distance, using your turn signals and being aware of
those
who don't.
BASIC SPANISH PHRASES:
Learning how to tell
someone you need a mechanic (necesito un mecánico), help
changing
a tire (necesito ayuda para cambiar la llanta) or directions (donde
está or como llego a) can be very useful. Even if
you
can't pronounce it quite right, people will usually get the message and
be able to effectively communicate to you what you need to know.
RESTRICTIVE SIGNS
Click here
for pictures.