Roadside assistance packages can vary from the basic services upwards as optional extras are added. Having decided that you will benefit from a roadside assistance package, the next thing to do is to select the package that offers you the services that you need.
A basic service that will cover you for your vehicle if you drive in the city and for short distances, will normally include free towing for a short distance and roadside assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
A level up could include free towing for a longer distance, as well as the cost of a taxi to get you to your destination up to a maximum amount, a locksmith to assist if you have locked yourself out of your car, and vehicle recovery to your home or a car repair shop. Trailer and/or caravan towing could be covered, with maximum size and weight limits that may apply.
The next level up could cover you as an individual in any car that you may be driving. You could also benefit from free fuel up to a certain maximum per year, should you run out of fuel.
When you select your package, be certain to understand whether the service is limited to metropolitan areas, or whether the service will cover you for all country areas, and also if you are away from home. Obviously the wider the area of coverage, the more expensive the service will be – so choose according to your needs. If you drive in the city only, and only for short distances, you may elect to have metropolitan coverage only. If you drive frequently, or for longer distances – you may need to consider a wider area of coverage. If you frequently drive when away from home – there are additional benefits that you may need to select – vehicle recovery from a longer distance, a larger maximum value on passenger transport, and possibly accommodation and car hire.
Roadside assistance packages commonly have an overall maximum value for services received – be sure to check out the details before you sign up.
If you would like to find out about roadside assistance packages available or about any of our other services, be sure to contact Carbiz today on 1300889256
Roadside insurance can provide you with a safety net, and peace of mind that no matter where you are, if your vehicle breaks down you can call on assistance. There are many plan variations available that can cater for your specific needs – normal roadside assistance, motorbikes, caravans as well as extras.
These days, with most people owning a cellphone, roadside assistance services are only a call away. But what type of assistance do they provide?
We have all had the sinking experience of a flat tyre – and all dressed up in your finest and on your way to a meeting is not really the time to be wrestling with a dirty tyre, car-jack and spanners. Calling on the professionals to come and assist would so much less stressful, not to say cleaner!
Or, you are happily motoring down the highway and suddenly your car experiences a loss of power and you come to a halt, hopefully in the emergency lane. A quick call, and hey presto – a towing service has arrived and uplifted your vehicle, to take it to the nearest repair centre.
Again, most of us have had the experience of getting into your car, and the car won’t start – flat battery. You may not have jumper cables with you – or you may not be able to use them safely. Good to remember is that complex on-board computers and wiring systems in more modern cars may be damaged by jump-starting them. It would be a big help in this situation if you could call for a technician to bring you a new battery.
Have you ever run out of fuel? Should this happen it would be good to know that you could place a call to Roadside Assistance to get a fuel delivery to your vehicle – especially if you are out in the middle of nowhere with no idea of where the nearest pump is.
Slightly more embarrassing is the situation where you might be locked out of your vehicle, or maybe have lost your keys. Roadside Assistance normally includes a locksmith service to get you moving again.
Finally – sometimes you are not sure what the exact problem is with your vehicle and what options you may have to deal with it – or maybe want to verify what you are being told by your repair centre. Some insurers include a special telephone hotline that you can call for technical advice.
Contact Carbiz on 1300889256 or message us today to find out more about the best solution for you and your car!
2017 will be the year that, for the first time ever, sales of SUVs will overtake those of more traditional passenger cars. Mazda is the most popular of the SUVs in Australia. Where the CX-3 and CX-5 models are the best-selling in the small and medium categories respectively.
The second-generation CX-5 is now on sale in Australia – lets take a look at what it will offer.
This second-generation update is not exactly revolutionary, as it shares a lot with the old CX-5. The drivetrain and about 50% of the components are brought forward from the old model – however, the components that have been replaced should have real impact.
The interior has a new look, with new front seats offering a whole lot more comfort and improved torso support. In the rear, the re-design features lower seats with a two-stage back recliner, redesigned cushions and seat heaters. There is a new 4.6-inch colour screen for the instrument cluster, a heads-up display with navigation function and a Bose ten-speaker stereo with A-pillar mounted tweeters. The 7.0-inch multimedia screen has been moved, making it easier to see for the driver.
The new model features the latest version of Mazda’s radar cruise control – with traffic sign recognition as well as the ability to keep following the car in front even after it has stopped.
Improved steering has been achieved through the addition of the G-Vectoring Control system which matches engine torque to steering inputs, providing easier steering and ride quality.
Also added to the chassis are wider diameter front shocks, fluid filled body bushings and stiffened steering mounts.
The boot space has been slightly improved – up 39 litres from the previous model.
The new CX-5 has the same engine and transmission as the previous model, with a choice of two petrol (2.0 litre and 2.5 litre four cylinder) and one diesel (2.2 litre four cylinder) powertrains, with fuel efficiency gains of around 4 percent according to Mazda.
All variants will have a rear-view camera, rear sensors and autonomous emergency braking – now capable of detecting pedestrians (moving at a speed of 10 – 60 km/h) as well as vehicles (4-80 km/h).
In summary – Mazda has done a good job of introducing improvements without taking away the basics that have helped to make the CX-5 the top seller that it has been to date.
Tinting the windows of your vehicle may seem like an optional extra and an unnecessary additional expense – but before you decline this option, consider the following benefits – you may decide to change your mind.
Tinted windows will help to reduce the interior temperature of your car – and reduce the load on your aircon! Tinting is the most fuel-efficient way of ensuring a more comfortable temperature inside your car. With the right window tint you can reduce the heat inside your car by up to 60%.
Tinted windows will block up to 99% of harmful UV rays from your car, preventing sunburn on those blisteringly hot days that we get in Australian summers. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and the associated UV rays can accelerate aging and is a cause of skin cancer. Tinted windows will also keep the UV rays from fading your upholstery, and the lower temperatures inside the vehicle will help to prevent drying and cracking of leather upholstery as well as the dashboards and other fittings. Sun damage to the interior of your car will reduce its resale value, especially if you park your car outside on a regular basis.
In Australia in summer, the glare from the sun can blind you while driving. Tinting your windows will reduce glare, making driving easier and safer and also ensuring that your passengers are more comfortable.
Applying a tint to your windows has a shatter proofing effect – your windows will be prevented from shattering on impact from a stone or other object, or in an accident, thereby further increasing safety for you and your passengers.
Tinting your windows also has a security benefit, as window tinting reduces visibility from the outside, improving your security and privacy.
Over and above the comfort, safety and security benefits which we have talked about – consider how great your car will look with tinted windows! Tinted windows on a car look so much more sophisticated and professional than untinted windows. So if you use your car for business purposes, or just want to impress others – tinting is the way to go.
We all know that selecting and maintaining the tyres on your vehicle is important, right? However, there are a number of misconceptions that vehicle owners may have, that may impact on the potential safety of you and your passengers. Here is an overview of some of them:
Myth #1: It is more important to replace your front tyres than your rear tyres
While it is important to have front tyres in good condition to assist with steering in a front wheel drive vehicle, it is also true that rear tyres provide most of the stability for your vehicle – for example, in braking or steering in wet conditions, rear tyres provide balance and stop your vehicle from spinning. If you only replace the front tyres, water will bounce off them onto the rear tyres, putting even more pressure on them.
Myth #2 Spare tyres or unused tyres don’t have to be replaced as long as there is enough tread left on them
Not so – each brand/manufacturer has different criteria for replacing tyres – some suggest replacing every 5 years regardless of the tread depth. If your vehicle has been idle for some time (years) – you should replace the tyres rather than just refilling them.
Myth #3: You don’t need to rotate your tyres
Tyres wear differently depending on the vehicle and location. Rotating your tyres will ensure that your tyres wear evenly – lasting longer.
Myth #4: Don’t buy used tyres
If you want to save a few dollars, and are looking for a replacement tyre for local daily driving or to replace a spare – you can consider used tyres. Know what you are looking for – check carefully for the year of manufacture (see myth #2) as well as any visible cuts or grazes that could impact the safety of the tyres. If you are not sure – buy new.
Myth #5 : If you over inflate your tyres they could burst
If you over inflate your tyres slightly the tyre should be fine – good quality tyres are manufactured to withstand partial increases past the recommended pressure – but you need to be aware of the fact that if you over inflate your tyres and you hit a pothole or bump in the road at speed, the tyre will have a bigger chance of a blowout.
Window tinting is popular in Australia and elsewhere, to help with safety and maintaining the resale value of their vehicles, and may be an original feature of a vehicle or may be offered as an optional extra at the time of purchase. In applying tinting to the vehicle windows, a thin, transparent sheet of film is applied. The thickness ranges from 0.0025 to 0.01cm, and will reduce radiation and damage to the interior of the vehicle which may be caused by the sun. There are 3 methods – film tinting which uses flat, metallic and mirrored materials, OEM tinted glass where tint is added during the auto glass manufacturing process, or by spraying the windows with a coated tint.
What are the benefits?
Lower inside temperatures – tinting is the most fuel-efficient way of ensuring a more comfortable temperature inside your car. With the right window tint you can reduce the heat inside your car by up to 60%.
Protection from UV rays – the amount of protection will vary depending on the tint.
Added security and privacy – tinting makes it very difficult to see inside the vehicle, and so will act as a deterrent for any would-be thief.
Protects the interior of your vehicle – upholstery, leather and carpets will last and look better for longer.
Appearance – tinting adds to the overall appearance of the vehicle. Tinted windows on a car look so much more sophisticated and professional than untinted windows.
Along with benefits, normally there is a downside.
Police may pull you over more than if your windows were not tinted – for them, not being able to see into your vehicle is a cause for suspicion.
Different states have different laws regulating the amount of tint that is permissible. If you don’t adhere to these regulations, your vehicle may not pass a state inspection.
Sometimes, tinting on the windows may lower driver’s visibility – for instance at night, or in a dark tunnel.
The tinting film may peel over time, detracting from the appearance of your vehicle – in which case you will have to have the tint removed or redone.
It is difficult to predict when a tyre will need replacing – tyre lifespan and mileage depends on its design, driver habits, climate, road conditions and the level of tyre maintenance applied.
However, keep in mind that after 5 years in use, you should take your vehicle for a tyre inspection at least once per year, and if your tyres haven’t been replaced in 10 years, you should replace them even if they have not been worn down to the tread indicator. Check for the manufacturing date using the DOT number on the sidewall of the tyre.
Things that will ensure that you get more mileage out of your tyres:
You should replace a tyre if
Inspect your tyres regularly and look for
Pay attention to the feel of your car as you drive – a rough ride may indicate tyre damage or excessive wear. If you notice any vibration or other issue while driving – reduce your speed, pull over safely and inspect your tyres.
If your inspection reveals anything that you are unsure of, take your vehicle to a tyre dealer for advice.
There are a few options open to you, each coming with some advantages and disadvantages. Have a look and choose the option that will give you the best value in your situation.
Private Sale
Selling your car privately allows you the opportunity to negotiate to get the best price.
You will need to advertise your car for sale – some pointers here are to set a realistic price, and honestly represent the condition of the vehicle. Have a look at what similar cars (year, model, condition) are being offered for. If you have the time and funds, it may be worthwhile to arrange a
professional detailing and repairing service for your car. At a minimum, make sure that the car is spotlessly clean.
Sell your car to a Dealer
This option will be much easier for you than going the private sale route. No advertising costs, no strangers coming to your home to view the car. If you plan to trade your car in on another car being sold by the dealer – you will be in a better position to negotiate for a better price.
Before you approach a dealer, do some research to find out the current market value for you car, as well as it’s trade-in value.
Auction
You can opt to put your car up for auction. Advertising and paperwork will be handled by the auction house. You can set a reserve price, and if you are lucky the car will fetch more on auction. If the reserve price is not met – the car will not be sold.
Use a broker
Using a broker can simplify the process. A broker will have an existing network of buyers to whom they can market your car. A broker will locate the best offer and present this to you – you can accept or not. This saves you the inconvenience of organising the sale yourself. A broker will charge a service fee – and you can ask for details of their charges up front before you make a decision to work with them. Even with the service fees charged by a broker, you could still get a better sales price than you might achieve with a private sale due to the exposure to serious buyers that a broker has, and the experience that they will bring to bear in negotiating the best possible sales price for you.