💡 You pay at the till first: you give the pump number (bomba) and the amount in euros, then you fill up.
💡 If you say litres, the cashier will convert it to euros and round the amount - ask how much it comes to.
💡 Diesel is gasóleo, petrol is gasolina (sem chumbo 95/98). Don't mix them up at the pump!
💡 Tyre pressure is pressão dos pneus; the compressor at a petrol station is often free.
💡 Wash programmes: lavagem simples - basic, completa - full, com cera - with wax.
💡 If a pump is broken, you can get your money back or have it moved to another pump - just say the number of the new one.
💡 Useful words: travões - brakes, embraiagem - clutch, bateria - battery, a luz do motor - the "check engine" light.
💡 Ask to be shown the old part being replaced - it's normal practice and protects you from unnecessary work.
💡 Ask for an estimate (orçamento) before the repair starts: parts and labour (mão de obra) are listed separately.
💡 Check the garage's opening hours: many close for lunch and early in the evening.
💡 Mudar o óleo - change the oil, trocar os pneus - change the tyres, revisão - routine service.
💡 IPO is the compulsory vehicle inspection at special centres (centros de inspeção); you book by phone or online.
💡 For the IPO take the vehicle registration certificate (Documento Único or certificado de matrícula) and your insurance document.
💡 People say o carro chumbou na inspeção - "the car failed the inspection"; after the repair there's a re-test (reinspeção).
💡 Paid parking is paid at a parking meter (parquímetro) or through the city's app; the ticket goes under the windscreen.
💡 The fine says how and by when to pay; you can often pay at a Multibanco machine with the reference.
💡 For wrong parking a car can be clamped (bloquear) or towed - better to move it straight away.
💡 For a lost car-park ticket you usually pay a fixed daily rate - ask at the cash desk or via the ajuda button.
💡 If you break down on a motorway, first put on a reflective vest and set up the warning triangle - they must be in the car.
💡 You describe a place on a motorway by the kilometre marker (no quilómetro 20) and direction (sentido Lisboa) - look at the sign.
💡 If you don't have your own garage, the insurer usually tows to the nearest partner garage.
💡 The joint accident statement is the declaração amigável: both drivers fill in the form and sign it; a copy goes to your insurer.
💡 Photograph the other driver's documents: licence, insurance and number plate - that way nothing gets lost.
💡 Always carry your driving licence, ID, car documents and insurance when driving.
💡 At a checkpoint answer briefly and calmly, keep your hands in view; you can say you don't speak Portuguese well.