Irish motorists are being advised to keep their car road-ready as Ireland’s workforce gear up for their first day back at the office on Monday January 6, after the Christmas break.
Allianz Global Assistance Ireland, one of the country’s largest roadside assistance providers, is anticipating a 40 per cent increase in calls on Monday, which is being dubbed: ‘Flat Battery Monday’. Hundreds of drivers, who haven’t used their cars over the break, typically find that their cars won’t start on their first day back at work.
On the corresponding day in 2014 (January 2nd 2014), Allianz Global Assistance saw a massive jump of over 100 per cent in call-outs compared to an average weekday, with the busiest time of the day between 9.00am and 11.00am. The company is therefore encouraging motorists to avoid the hassle of car trouble, by planning ahead.
While flat batteries are the main cause of vehicle breakdown call-outs during winter months, accidents and flat tyres are also major issues for motorists. Other causes for breakdown call-outs are putting petrol in a diesel engine, clutch problems and getting locked out of the car.
According to Allianz Global Assistance, the ‘Top Five’ reasons for breakdown call-outs for Irish motorists in 2014 were:
1. Flat battery
2.Wheel change (due to puncture)
3.Incorrect fuel being put into tank
4. Clutch
5. Getting locked out of car
Roland Hesse, Allianz Global Assistance Ireland Country Manager, says: “The vast majority of call-outs on January 6th will probably be to a customer’s home, with a flat battery being the main culprit. Our advice is to drive your car for at least 30 minutes before January 6th therefore ensuring your car battery is fully charged and ready for that first day back at work.”
He added: “We’d also recommend motorists make themselves aware of the public transport options, in case the breakdown is a more complicated issue than a flat battery.”
The Dublin-based company, which is part of the Allianz Group, provides roadside assistance and customer services to insurance companies and car manufacturers.
To help prevent more breakdowns in 2015, Allianz Global Assistance Ireland has some simple measures it recommends motorists follow:
- Ensure the anti-freeze has been checked • Check windscreen wipers for damage and replace if necessary • Ensure there is plenty of washer fluid in the windscreen washer bottle • Check oil level • Check that the tread depths on all car tyres are legal (at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the breadth and in a continuous band around the entire circumference of the tyre). Also be aware that in wet weather, tyre performance drops considerably below 2mm of tread • Check tyre pressure, over-inflated tyres are especially dangerous on icy roads • Regularly clean lights and mirrors • Ensure there is sufficient breakdown cover • Get the car serviced regularly
