No one can predict when their car might break down, but it happens more often than you might think. If you’ve had a flat battery, a punctured tyre, or run out of fuel when you’re a few kilometres away from the nearest servo, having a backup plan matters. That’s where roadside assistance comes into the picture.

In this guide, we’ll go through the details of what roadside assistance is, how it works, what services are included, and why it’s something every Australian driver should consider.

How Does Roadside Assistance Work?

Roadside assistance is a service designed to help drivers when their vehicle breaks down unexpectedly. It provides peace of mind knowing that if you’re stranded, professional support is just a phone call away.

When you call for help, a mobile mechanic or support vehicle will be dispatched to your location. Depending on the issue and severity, they may fix your car on the spot or tow it to the nearest service centre. Roadside assistance often works hand-in-hand with car insurance, but it isn’t guaranteed to be included. Typically, drivers choose to purchase insurance separately or as an add-on if available.

It’s also good practice to have a basic understanding of car care and repairs, in case roadside assistance might not be as accessible in remote areas.

What Is Included & Covered With Ultra Tune’s Roadside Assistance?

Ultra Tune’s roadside assistance has coverage to deal with some of the most common issues on the road, including:

Towing

When you have a severe issue that can’t be repaired on-site, you can request towing assistance to the nearest Ultra Tune service centre. It’s also good practice to ensure you bring spare equipment and have a fundamental understanding of basic car repairs, especially if you’re travelling to remote areas where roadside assistance might be more difficult to access.

Flat Tyre

If you have a flat tyre without any spares in hand, our mobile mechanics can come to your location to either inflate or replace it with a spare tyre. If there isn’t any serviceable spare in stock, our mechanic may organise towing to the closest service centre.

Flat Battery

If you’re stuck on the road with a flat battery, our mobile mechanics can provide a jump start to the battery. If it doesn’t work, we’ll organise for it to be towed to the closest service centre. However, if you need a battery replacement, you can always request our team for a mobile battery replacement if there is one available.

Fuel Recovery Services

If you ever find yourself stranded on the road without any fuel left in the tank, our team will come and provide enough fuel to help you get back on the road and to the nearest petrol station.

24/7 Availability & Help

Breakdowns can happen unexpectedly at any given time. That’s why Ultra Tune offers roadside assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so help is always available when you need it the most.

With Ultra Tune’s Roadside Assistance, existing customers who have had routine menu service at any of our service centres, or any repair work of $150 or higher, may be eligible to receive a 12-month Tow Assistance roadside assistance policy without any cost to you.

Important Factors to Consider About Your Cover

Before you choose a roadside assistance plan, it’s important to understand the details and considerations to see if it works for your needs.

  • Distance limits: Ultra Tune’s roadside assistance is accessible up to 10 km to your closest service centre, and up to 20km round trip in remote areas. Our team can still provide services beyond these distance limits, which will include associated fees.
  • Accessible locations: Our service is only applicable if your car is in a place that’s accessible for our team to visit, e.g. a public road or any areas without access restrictions and where the public can access.
  • Response times: Ultra Tune’s mobile mechanics will always aim for quick responses to get you moving again. However, there will also be external factors outside of our control that can affect our response times, including severe weather conditions or unexpected traffic congestion.
  • Policy exclusions: There isn’t a limit to the number of times you can call our team during the 12 months of your free Ultra Tune Roadside Assistance. However, there is a limit to the number of services our team can expand within this timeframe. To read the full breakdown of the exclusions, you can refer to our roadside assistance terms & conditions.
  • Cost: As long as you have satisfactory proof that you meet our criteria and your vehicle’s issues are covered within our plan, we won’t incur any costs to you.

Getting Roadside Assistance With Ultra Tune

Roadside assistance might not seem essential until you need it. Knowing that you’ve got 24/7 support, whenever you’re commuting anywhere, provides reassurance that you can’t put a price on.

Ultra Tune’s roadside assistance is also designed to give you confidence every time you get back on the road. Whether you’ve any of the issues we’ve mentioned in this guide, we’ve also got you covered with:

  • Coverage in metropolitan and regional areas
  • Quick response from trained mechanics
  • Reliable car maintenance if your car needs further work
  • Easy access to repairs with over 270 service centres across Australia

If you need help today, book a service or find your nearest Ultra Tune service centre for expert assistance when and where you need it.