Media Release

Club spokesperson Lucinda Ross said more than 17,000 calls for help were received in the first week of school last year, with 3,240 jobs on the first day of term alone across the State.

“Battery issues or cars failing to start are the most common reasons we’re called out, accounting for more than 60 percent of jobs,” Ms Ross said.

“The last thing you want after you’ve packed the school bags and made sure the kids are dressed on time is to find out you’ll be late to drop off because of a flat battery.”

Ms Ross said parents could avoid the stress of a back to school breakdown, by doing a few simple mechanical checks.

“You may not have used your car much over the school holidays, so if you haven’t already, now’s the time to make sure it’s ready to go,” she said. 

“If your car feels sluggish to start, it could be a sign you need to replace the battery. You should also avoid leaving lights or vehicle accessories on when the engine is off as this will drain the battery.

“Check your water and oil levels. Give your tyres a look over, check for foreign objects in the rubber, make sure the treads are in good condition and the air pressure is correct and make sure you’re up-to-date with your servicing.”

Ms Ross said if parents were caught out by a breakdown, the RACQ team was ready to help.

“The good news is our patrols are able to quickly get drivers back on the road 93 percent of the time and are available to help you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you need us, just give us a call on 13 1111 or use the RACQ Roadside Assistance app.”