RACQ flat out in 2018 with batteries, tyres
RACQ has revealed flat batteries were the biggest reason for roadside assistance callouts in Cairns in 2018.
The motoring body attended more than 17,000 roadside breakdowns around Cairns last year.
RACQ spokeswoman Clare Hunter said high heat was a big battery killer.
“There are simple things you can do to avoid a flat, like not leaving lights on when the engine isn’t running and regularly checking your battery for wear,” she said. “Feeling a sluggish start when you turn the key can be another telltale sign you may need a new battery.
“Drivers should check their tyres regularly – look for foreign objects in the rubber, make sure tread is in good condition and check the air pressure is correct.
“As well as tyres, motorists should check their oil levels and have their car regularly serviced. These are really basic maintenance checks we should all be carrying out.”
Ms Hunter said of the 600,000 breakdowns RACQ attended statewide, they were able to get 93 per cent of them back on the road straightaway.
Roadside service provider Gary Ansell said he was called out to 80-100 jobs a week.
Mr Ansell said while flat batteries and tyres were the most common call-out, locked-up pets or infants were a frequent danger.
“It’s in situations like that where your blood pressure gets high, knowing you’ve only got a small window to get there on time and get them out,” he said. “Customer relations is important – you’re always on show and always needing to be somewhere fast. It’s those jobs in adverse weather conditions that are the hardest part of the job for us.
“My advice to parents with young children is to keep them from playing with keys, because that’s most commonly how it happens.”
Mr Ansell urged people to take their car in for a check-up if something seemed out of the ordinary.
“Make sure maintenance is up to date; if you feel something’s wrong, get it checked out early,” he said. editorial@cairnspost.com.au facebook.com/TheCairnsPost www.cairnspost.com.au twitter.com/TheCairnsPost