Chery Roadside Assistance: What It Actually Covers

Chery Roadside Assistance: What It Actually Covers

No one plans for a flat battery in the driveway, a puncture on the motorway or that sinking feeling when you realise the keys are locked inside the car.

But if you own a Chery, there's a good chance you have access to Chery Roadside Assistance - and it can help with more than you might realise.

From a battery boost to a flat tyre, emergency fuel or a tow when your car simply won't go any further, here's the useful stuff to know before you're standing beside the car trying to work out who to call.

First things first: is your Chery covered?

A new eligible Chery comes with 12 months of roadside assistance from the date it is first registered.

After that, cover can be extended for another 12 months when the vehicle completes a qualifying scheduled service at an authorised Chery dealer. Subject to the program conditions, this can continue until the vehicle reaches seven years of age.

The important bit is that "up to seven years" doesn't automatically mean seven years of continuous cover.

Your eligibility can depend on things like your servicing history and when the vehicle was first registered.

It's worth checking if:

• you bought your Chery pre-owned
• you own an older Chery
• you've had servicing completed outside the authorised Chery network
• you're not sure when your last scheduled service was
• you don't know when the car was first registered

If you're unsure, it's better to check than assume you're covered.

Your Chery won't start

A flat 12-volt battery can stop petrol, hybrid and electric vehicles in their tracks.

Roadside assistance may be able to provide a battery boost and get you moving again. If the battery needs replacing, mobile battery delivery may also be available depending on where you are.

That doesn't necessarily mean the replacement battery itself is free.

If the battery is still covered under an applicable warranty, replacement may be covered. Otherwise, you may need to pay for the new battery.

And if a jump-start doesn't solve the problem, roadside assistance can help arrange towing in line with the program conditions.

One tip: if the car is showing unusual warning messages or behaving differently from normal, don't keep trying to restart it over and over. Let the roadside operator know exactly what you're seeing.

One useful thing to check this weekend

Open the boot and actually have a look.

Do you have:

• a spare wheel or tyre-repair kit?
• all the pieces that should be there?
• a jack and wheel tools, if your car is supplied with them?
• tyre sealant that is still within its use-by date?

It's a five-minute check that is much easier to do at home than on the shoulder of the M1.

You've locked the keys inside

It happens.

Roadside assistance may be able to help get you back into the car, arrange for a spare key to be brought to you or organise a locksmith where required.

You may need to show proof that you own or are authorised to use the vehicle before anyone attempts to gain entry.

Some costs can still fall to the owner, particularly if a locksmith, replacement key, remote or lock repair is required.

And there's one important exception: if a child, vulnerable person or animal is locked inside and there is an immediate safety risk, call 000 rather than waiting on a normal roadside response.

You've run out of fuel

If your petrol Chery runs dry, roadside assistance may be able to provide enough fuel to get you to the nearest service station.

Think of it as enough to get you out of trouble - not a free fill-up.

If fuel delivery isn't practical where you are, a tow may be arranged instead. Depending on the circumstances, some fuel or towing costs may still apply.

What about a Hybrid or Super Hybrid?

Hybrids still rely on more than just their traction battery.

A Chery Hybrid or Super Hybrid also depends on systems including its 12-volt battery, electrical system and, where applicable, petrol engine.

If the car won't enter its normal drive-ready state or shows a serious warning, tell the roadside operator exactly what the vehicle is displaying.

And leave the high-voltage components alone. They're not something to troubleshoot on the side of the road.

What isn't automatically covered?

Roadside assistance can get you out of plenty of awkward situations, but it isn't the same thing as insurance, a repair warranty or unlimited vehicle recovery.

There are a few important limits worth knowing.

Accident towing

If your Chery has been involved in a collision, towing will generally need to be arranged through your insurer or an accident-recovery provider rather than normal roadside assistance.

If anyone is injured or the vehicle is creating an immediate danger, call 000.

Repairs and replacement parts

Having roadside assistance attend doesn't mean every repair is free.

Depending on the situation, you may still need to pay for things such as:

• replacement tyres
• batteries outside the applicable warranty
• replacement keys or remotes
• locksmith work
• fuel
• repairs required once the car reaches the workshop

Roadside assistance is there to help with the immediate problem and get the vehicle somewhere safe.

Heading off-road? This one matters in Queensland

Standard roadside assistance is not the same thing as off-road recovery.

If your Chery is stuck on a beach, bush track, creek crossing, field or somewhere a normal roadside vehicle can't safely reach, specialist recovery may need to be organised at your cost.

That's particularly worth keeping in mind before a South East Queensland weekend away.

Chery's published policy also lists K'gari and Moreton Island among the locations excluded from its standard Australia-wide roadside coverage.

So if you're planning an island or beach trip, sort out appropriate recovery arrangements before you leave. Don't assume your normal roadside cover will get a bogged vehicle off the sand.

Save this before you need it

Chery Roadside Assistance

1800 424 379

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When you call, have:

• your registration number or VIN
• your exact location
• a clear description of what has happened

A couple of minutes now can make things much easier later:

1. Save Chery Roadside Assistance - 1800 424 379 in your phone.
2. Check where your VIN is located.
3. Find out whether your Chery has a spare tyre or repair kit.
4. Keep your owner's manual somewhere accessible.
5. Check whether your roadside assistance is currently active.
6. Know when your next scheduled service is due.
7. If you're heading somewhere remote, onto the beach or over to an island, check your recovery arrangements beforehand.

Not sure if your roadside cover is still active?

If you can't remember when your Chery was last serviced - or you simply aren't sure where your roadside cover stands - your service history is a good place to start.

The Motorama Chery team can help you check when your next scheduled service is due and make sure your servicing is up to date.

Roadside assistance benefits, eligibility, approvals, exclusions and monetary limits are subject to Chery Australia's current program terms. Always check the latest policy or confirm your eligibility before relying on a particular benefit.

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