thread: RACV join on road? Flat battery!

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    Melbourne
    3,300

    RACV join on road? Flat battery!

    We have a flat battery on our drive way (DH left lights on - I switched them on then he took the car - he says is my fault - pffft - he is the one that locked the car up) - anyway think don't have RACV or equivalent cover - on the website says you have to join for two years if you join on roadside - I am happy enough to do that - is it that straight forward?

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Nov 2006
    Atop the lookout...
    2,777

    Call Marshall (you know, "holler for a Marshall"), their business started off on flat battery breakdown. Ph 1300627742. That's Australia wide.

    Or, call an auto elect, they often do call outs.

    All that is from the Man, and he says if that is the 'only' issue then to definitely go with Marshall. They will be cheaper than racv, have about the same callout time (check when you get them on the phone), and always used to (at least) check the car's charging system when they fitted the new battery.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Oct 2007
    Caroline Springs
    2,341

    From memory (and I'm thinking back about 10 years) it didn't cost any extra to join roadside. Although back then I think you only had to join for 1 year rather than 2. I'm pretty sure it was really easy and straight forward though

    Or I guess you could see if you have any kind neighbours with jumper cables that want to help you jump start the car? I'm not sure if that's something most people know how to do. My dad's a mechanic so I guess he made sure I knew how to do it.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    Melbourne
    3,300

    Thanks for the replies - ended up joining RACV as no extra fee just had to join for two years and think is a good idea to have as don't know what would do if brokedown when out with the little ones and we only have the one car. Will be here in half an hour.

    Marshalls seems quite good if you didn't want to have cover though!

    DH still thinks he isn't in the wrong - I told him I reckon if I asked 100 people at least 90 would agree with me is the last person who drove its responsibility.

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Nov 2006
    Atop the lookout...
    2,777

    Cool. You could always tell him that he's that man, that makes the car his responsibility! LOL. (but I am responsible for keeping the car I drive in reasonable shape.)

  6. #6
    Registered User

    May 2007
    3,220

    Whoever driving is responsible for turning lights off etc.

    Good idea to carry jumper leads in car, then you can always get a jump start if needed.

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    5,235

    Whoever driving is responsible for turning lights off etc.

    Good idea to carry jumper leads in car, then you can always get a jump start if needed.
    Although it's not a good idea to jump start some modern cars, it can really mess up the computerised electronics (or so I've been told).

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Aug 2006
    On the other side of this screen!!!
    11,129

    Bhaha you've just about told the story of my marriage - dh leaves the lights on - I'm the one who finds it when it's dead and I'm in a hurry to go somewhere . Needless to say I have learnt every variant of jump-starting, push-starting, roll-starting (works well if you're happily parked on a slope and by yourself) and yes I've got the RACV number on hot dial in my phone!!

    Oh yes and it's the person who was driving who is responsible for chekcing the lights are off before killing the engine.