760,000 reasons you should check your car today; RACQ

Club spokesperson Lucinda Ross said the data showed there had been almost 105,000 flat battery callouts, 4,306 calls for mechanical breakdown, 64,333 flat tyres changed, and 36,971 people rescued who’d locked themselves out of the car.

“The start of the new financial year isn’t just a time for your tax return or to visit your accountant, it’s a good spot to mark in the calendar to check on your car’s health too,” Ms Ross said.

“We all know owning a car can be a costly exercise, but by doing basic maintenance checks on a regular basis you could save yourself from an expensive trip to the mechanic.

“Get under the bonnet today and check your car’s oil and water levels and visit your local fuel station to check the air pressure on your tyres. Make sure it’s all up to scratch and if you notice anything out of the ordinary, get it looked into early.”

Ms Ross said as driving restrictions had eased across Queensland, many motorists were back behind the wheel for the first time in a while.

“If your car has been sitting idle or used for short trips to the grocery store and back for a few months, your battery could be in danger of going flat,” she said.

“We went to the aide of almost 105,000 drivers for a flat battery last year, so make sure you take your car for a few longer drives to give the battery a chance to recharge, or give us a call and get it checked out by one of our Roadside Patrols.

“Whether you drive your car every day or once a month, make time today to check it’s all in working order so you can start the new financial year with some peace of mind.”