Wind, Sand and Ash: Protecting Your Rental Car

Iceland's weather can be extreme. Strong wind, sandstorms and volcanic ash can be dangerous for you and cause expensive damage to the car. Here's how to protect yourself and your rental car.

Strong wind

Gusts in Iceland can be strong enough to tear a car door off its hinges or push a car off the road. Wind damage to doors is one of the most common types of damage on rental cars in Iceland.

• Hold the door with both hands when you open it, and never let the wind take it.
• Park facing into the wind, so the doors are not caught by the wind when opened.
• Open one door at a time, and make sure passengers do the same.
• Slow down in gusty areas. The wind is often strongest near mountains and gaps in valleys, for example at Kjalarnes, under Hafnarfjall and along the south coast.
• Check the wind forecast at en.vedur.is. Wind speed in Iceland is given in meters per second (m/s): above 15 m/s can be difficult to drive in, and gusts above 20–25 m/s are dangerous.

Sand and ash storms

On the south coast, strong wind can lift sand and fine volcanic ash from the black sand plains, for example on Mýrdalssandur and Skeiðarársandur. A sandstorm can strip paint, damage lights and windows, and reduce visibility to almost nothing.

• Check the weather and road conditions at umferdin.is/en before driving along the south coast.
• If a sandstorm is forecast, wait until it passes or change your plans.
• If you are caught in a sandstorm, stop in a safe place if possible, turn the car's rear towards the wind, and wait it out.

Gravel and stones

Stones thrown up by other cars can chip the windshield and paint. Slow down and keep to the right when you meet or pass other cars on gravel roads. See Gravel roads in Iceland.

Damage and protection

Wind, sand, ash and gravel damage are treated differently depending on the protection products in your rental agreement. Check your rental agreement or ask us at the counter what your protection covers.

If the car is damaged, take photos and contact us right away at cs@sixt.is.