{"id":14268,"date":"2022-12-13T08:58:08","date_gmt":"2022-12-12T22:58:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.privatefleet.com.au\/blog\/?p=14268"},"modified":"2022-12-13T08:58:08","modified_gmt":"2022-12-12T22:58:08","slug":"roadside-assistance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.privatefleet.com.au\/blog\/driving\/roadside-assistance\/","title":{"rendered":"Roadside Assistance"},"content":{"rendered":"

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There are a whole bunch of awesome businesses ready and waiting to come to our aid when we experience a breakdown while on our way from A to B.\u00a0 As we draw closer to the holiday season, having the backup of a roadside assistance team in our travel plans is a jolly good idea.\u00a0 According to some of the latest stats from Australia\u2019s NRMA (National Roads and Motorists’ Association Limited), even a brand-spanking new car can still have a breakdown.<\/p>\n

A few years ago, I was doing a lot of travelling between office sites and, in the space of 6\u201312 months, I had had a spate of three-or-so callouts.\u00a0 Two were for the alternators giving out, and I forget what the other was for \u2013 possibly a dud battery.\u00a0 I also remember a time when I was barely out of my teens, that I had locked the keys in the car, and a very skilful bloke came and unlocked the car within seconds.<\/p>\n

The NRMA is one of those roadside assistance teams that are ready to come to the rescue.\u00a0 New cars are great when they work fine, and most do for most of the time.\u00a0 NRMA recently stated that car technology is improving, and now there’s even cars that drive themselves, but still these cars have the potential to break down. Over the last year, the number of call outs that the NRMA have had for new cars aged between 0\u20133 years old has risen by 43% compared to the previous year. \u00a0Over the entire year there were 103,262 new cars in Australia that needed the NRMA breakdown assistance service.<\/p>\n

In a 2017 NRMA survey, cars that were between 11\u201320 years old had the highest number of breakdowns, followed closely by cars aged 4\u201310 years old.\u00a0 Perhaps unsurprisingly, the car\u2019s batteries were at the heart of most of those breakdowns.\u00a0 During that year, 25% of the callouts were for dud batteries.<\/p>\n

Across the ditch in NZ, the AA found out that, in relatively recent years, their number one callout for road assistance was also for a flat or faulty battery.\u00a0 Batteries can go flat for various reasons but most commonly they are faulty because the car has been unused for a while, or only used for short journeys.\u00a0 Also, there may be a faulty component in the battery system or the car\u2019s charging system (maybe the alternator has worn out).<\/p>\n

The NRMA also came to the rescue of plenty of people who had locked themselves out of the car (5%).\u00a0 It\u2019s easier to lock your keys in the car than you think!\u00a0 Number two for AA was for lost keys!<\/p>\n

The third most common reason for AA to be called out was for damaged tyres and wheels.\u00a0 The cause of a damaged or flat tyre is most often due to hitting a sharp object, but other reasons include the tyre’s valve failing, the tyre’s hitting a kerb or a deep pothole at speed, or even just old age.<\/p>\n

AA found that AdBlue was the next main reason for their callouts.\u00a0 Most modern diesel vehicles use a Selective Catalyst Reduction (SCR) method for lowering harmful nitrogen oxide emissions from exiting the exhaust system.\u00a0 AdBlue (also called urea or Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)) is an additive that helps with this process, and it requires to be kept topped up for the car to work properly.\u00a0 The modern diesel engine won’t start if it runs out of this stuff, so it\u2019s important to keep it topped up.<\/p>\n

Number five for AA callouts was for the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF).\u00a0 Again, the DPF is a part of the exhaust system on vehicles with a diesel engine. \u00a0The DPF traps fine particles of soot and burns them off into a less-harmful gas.\u00a0 Generally, long hot running keeps this filter clear, but it may get blocked up if you do lots of short journeys.\u00a0 The car won\u2019t run properly, and a warning light comes up on the screen if the DPF isn\u2019t functioning as it should.<\/p>\n

Engine oil issues accounted for AA\u2019s next most common callout.\u00a0 Having the wrong level of engine oil inside your car\u2019s engine can damage it.\u00a0 And that gets expensive!\u00a0 Having too much oil can be just as risky as having too low a level of oil.\u00a0 Make sure you do check your engine oil.\u00a0 Even Toyota\u2019s, as they start to cover moderate kms, can start to use a bit of oil between services.\u00a0 Learn how to regularly check your engine oil using the dipstick.\u00a0 Your vehicle\u2019s handbook will give you a good guide for checking the level of oil in your engine, as well as a guide for adding the correct amount of oil for topping up your car\u2019s engine.<\/p>\n

Faults with the car\u2019s alternator was the next biggest issue.\u00a0 If you experience persistent battery problems and dim headlights when your car\u2019s engine is idling, you could have a fault with your alternator. \u00a0If your ignition warning light comes on and the engine temperature rises quickly, the belt that drives the alternator and the water pump may have broken.\u00a0 If this happens, then stop right away and get help!\u00a0 If you don\u2019t, the engine will quickly overheat and self-destruct itself costing lots of money in repairs or even a total engine replacement.<\/p>\n

Starter motors fail as they age.\u00a0 Although starter motors are usually tough and robust, they do fail eventually.<\/p>\n

The ninth most common issue that required AA was for problems with the car\u2019s fuel system.\u00a0 Never start your engine if you\u2019ve accidentally put the wrong fuel type in your car (diesel instead of petrol or vice versa).\u00a0 Also, fuel filters can get clogged up causing rough engine performance.\u00a0 The fuel filters also require servicing and even replacement for many cars.\u00a0 But then if you don\u2019t have any fuel in the tank, then the car won\u2019t go either!<\/p>\n

Tenth most common reason for a callout was for the car overheating.\u00a0 In this case, there could be problems with the engine or with the engine\u2019s cooling system.\u00a0 If there’s steam coming from your engine or the temperature warning light is on, just pull over and stop.\u00a0 A hot engine is a recipe for costly damage.<\/p>\n

In light of all these things, it is wise to have a roadside assistance team there to back you up at any time of the day or night, whether it is the holiday period or just an everyday commute.\u00a0 NRMA, RAC, and 24\/7 Roadservices Australia are three roadside assistance teams that offer us a great service.\u00a0 Of course, there are others as well.<\/p>\n

Here are some quick tips if you have a breakdown while out on the road:<\/p>\n