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Driving advice

Helpful phrases if you've broken down abroad

If you broke down in France would you know your embrayage from your échappement? The answer is probably no because one of the worst things about having vehicle problems abroad is the language barrier. Thankfully, the team at Green Flag can talk to our European agents in a host of languages, so you don't have to. But you never know when a few local words might come in handy. Here are some common ones that may help drivers out of a spot of bother…

Vehicle parts

English French German Italian
Accelerator
cable
Cable
d'embrayage
Kupplungskabel Cavo della
frizzione
Accident Accident Unfall Incidente
Battery Batterie Autobatterie Batteria
Brakes
front/rear
Freins avant/
arrière
Bremsen vorne/
hinter
Freni davanti/
posteriore
Breakdown Panne Panne Guasto
Carburettor Carburateur Vergaser Carburatore
Clutch Embrayage Kupplung Frizzione
Engine Moteur Motor Motore
Exhaust Échappement Auspuff Tubo di
scappamento
Fuse Fusible Sicherung Valvola fusibile
Gearbox Bôite de
vitesse
Getriebe-kasten Cambio
velocità
Headlamp Phare Scheinwerfer Faro
Ignition Allumage Zündung Accensione
Mechanic Mècanicien Mechaniker Meccanico
Oil leak Fuite d'huile Överlust Perdita d'olio
Puncture Crevaison Reifenpanne Pressione
Radiator Radiateur Kühler Radiatore
Starter
motor
Demarreur Anlasser Motorino
d'aviamento
Tyre Pneu Reifen Pneumatico
Windscreen
wiper
Essuie-glaces Scheibenwischer Tergi cristallo

Traffic signs

English French German Italian
Warning! Attention! Achtung Attenzione Avisso!
Accident Accident Unfall Incidente
Stop Arret Halt Stop
Road closed Route barrée Sperrung Strada chiuso
Road works Travaux Bauarbeiten Lavori corso
Damaged
carriageway
Chaussée
déformée
Strassenschaden Strada dÕanneggiata
Diversion Déviation Umleitung Deviazione
No parking Défense
stationner
Parken Sosta vietata
Keep clear Ne pas
stationner
Freihalten Vietato lÕingresso
Parking
permitted
Place de
parking
Parken
erlaubt
Sosta
autorizzata
Pedestrian
crossing
Passage pour
piétons
Fußgängeruberweg pedonale
No
pedestrians
Interdit aux
piétons
Fußgänger
verboten
Pedonale
vietata
Slow down Ralentir Verlangsamen Rallentare
No entry Défense d'entrée/
Sens interdit
Einfahrt verboten Senso vietata/
Vietata lÕaccesso
One-way
street
Sens unique Einbahnstrasse A senso unico
Level
crossing
passage à niveau Eisenbahn kreuzt Passaggio livello
Motorway
junction
Jonction de
l'Autoroute
Autobahnkreuz Incrocio
Traffic Jam Bouchon Verkehrsstockung Ingorgo
Exit Sortie Ausfahrt Uscita
Entry Entrée Einfahrt Entrata
All directions Toutes directions Alle Richtungen Tutto direzione

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