DAF XF 460 battery problem on Mönchengladbach B57

One of our regular customers from Poland contacted us using the hotline. The driver called at 12:00 pm to report that he had stopped at the barrier at the Amazon Packstation for a check, and then was unable to start the engine to continue driving. The display showed information that there is a problem with the battery.

We clarified all the necessary information with the client and solved his problem as soon as possible. Let us tell you more about the situation and share practical tips on how to avoid problems with your battery on the road. 

How we solved the client's problem

Which steps did we take to resolve the issue?

1. After receiving the application, we immediately contacted our partners (DAF dealers) and described the problem. Unfortunately, the workshop was 50 km away from the place where the client was waiting, but an attempt to find a closer official dealership center resulted in a fail.
2. We described the problem to specialists who understood what kind of help was needed, and after 2 hours a specialist left for our client.
3. When the service car arrived, the specialist made a diagnosis and confirmed that the batteries were faulty. The problem was that they could no longer store electricity from the starter.
4. Our mechanic connected an external power source and started the car, after which he gave clear recommendations: the car should work for about 30 minutes while the batteries are charging with electricity.
5. Before the master managed to travel any period of time back, our client called again. He was agitated: 10 minutes passed, he accidentally turned off the engine and now the truck won't start again because the batteries aren't fully charged yet.
6.  We immediately called the workshop, told them what had happened and asked the specialist to return. The workshop dispatcher joked that the truck just didn't want to leave the Amazon Pack station because he really liked it there. The mechanic immediately returned to the client, started the car and solved the client's problem.

Why do regular customers turn to our service instead of solving the problem on their own?

We have already mentioned that we were contacted by a regular customer. The driver knows that we have a large network of partner workshops throughout Germany, and we will quickly find a workshop where the client can be helped. In this situation, a DAF dealer service was needed, and not just any nearest specialist. Of course, the driver could act independently. Here’s what he would have to do:

• Search the Internet for a workshop, call and explain in broken German what kind of help is needed.
• Wait for several hours or order the towing service, since not all specialists are ready to go. And if you can’t pay for the service in advance, you do not have a customer card, then in 99% of cases no one will go to you at all.
• Usually such service stations have a lot of clients and a queue for several days in advance, so they don’t want to take on a new client (who also happens to be a foreigner).

From experience, the driver knew that by contacting our service, he would save time and money, because he knew we would quickly find a solution and select the most advantageous offer from partner service stations.

How to prevent your battery from dying on the road

You can’t foresee everything and the situation with a discharged battery caught our client by surprise. But if you prepare, some problems can be avoided. For example, a battery can be discharged by permanently lit parking lights, incorrectly wired alarms, or self-discharge through a conductive layer of surface contaminants.

Try to keep the battery clean and, if possible, it won’t hurt to protect the terminals from oxidation by special means.

Technical assistance on the roads from MT onroad 

If you are on a route in Germany, please contact MT Onroad for any technical assistance. We cooperate with service stations throughout the country, offer the most favorable prices to our regular customers, take care of communication with the specialists, as well as with representatives of the police and BAG, and we can act as intermediaries when paying for service stations if there are difficulties with the card.

Our service operators are in touch 24/7, even if your truck breaks down at night in the middle of the autobahn on a holiday. We will quickly find a way out. We can deliver the necessary spare part, organize the tow service or call the master from the nearest service.

To order mobile service or for other technical assistance, call: +49 977 5376 9999.