The car won't start. What should I do?
a-VA-ria — stress on second syllable. par-TE — stress on second syllable.
When your rental car fails to start and you need roadside assistance.
'Non parte' (it won't start/it's not starting) — 'partire' (to leave/to start for vehicles). 'La macchina non parte' is the standard way to report a breakdown. Always call the rental company's emergency number first — they have 24-hour assistance services.
La batteria è scarica.
The battery is flat.
Very common cause — especially in cold Italian winters
Sento un rumore strano dal motore.
I hear a strange noise from the engine.
Report immediately — may indicate a serious problem
Ho lasciato le chiavi chiuse dentro.
I locked the keys inside.
Locksmith (fabbro) needed — call the rental company
Rental car breakdowns in Italy are handled by the company's roadside assistance network, usually subcontracted to the ACI (Automobile Club d'Italia) or similar organisations. Response times on motorways are fast (under 30 minutes); on rural roads it can take longer. Keep the rental contract with you at all times — it contains the emergency number and your contract details.