The annual competition saw patrols from ten European motoring clubs assessed on their roadside repair skills followed by a written technical exam. They were judged by technical experts from the Swiss (Touring Club Suisse) and Croatian (Hrvatski Autoklub) motoring clubs.
Keith, the AA’s patrol of the year, says: “The standard was very high and we had to overcome translation difficulties, so it’s fantastic to be judged the best in Europe. The job of a patrol is increasingly demanding as we work on any vehicle on the road – car, motorbike or commercial vehicle – so we need to maintain a high level of technical expertise.”
Steve Dewey, AA road operations director, says: “People join the AA because of our patrols’ ability to fix cars at the roadside, so we are delighted that they’ve been recognised for being the best – for setting the technical benchmark – not only in the UK but in Europe.
“As vehicle technology evolves, we invest heavily in the latest equipment and training to ensure our patrols continue to give the best possible service at the roadside."
Full story and copyright AA newsroom FIA road patrolman contest
The AA said it had seen a 15% year-on-year increase in the number of people running out of fuel, with fellow breakdown company Green Flag recording a 14% rise in out-of-fuel incidents in the first six months of 2011.
With current pump prices remaining near record levels, the AA said it is on course to attend more than 23,000 dry-tank call-outs this year.
Keith Miller, AA patroller of the year, said: “Although we’re all feeling the pain of high pump prices, don’t leave it till you’re running on fumes before filling up.
“Running out can leave you in a potentially dangerous position, as modern cars often just cut out without warning, so ideally fill up before the low fuel light comes on.
“If you’re in an unfamiliar area, your sat-nav or smartphone may be able to tell you the location of the nearest filling station. Rather than chancing it, you can save a lot of money by adopting a few simple eco-driving techniques and cutting back on unnecessary journeys.”
Batteries rarely last longer than five years so replacing one near the end of its life can save a lot of time and inconvenience at the side of the road.
Avoid running electrical systems any longer than necessary – turn the heater fan down and switch the heated rear window off once windows are clear. Turn off nonessential electrical loads like lights, rear screen heater and wipers before trying to start the engine and use the starter in short five-second bursts if the engine doesn’t start quickly, leaving 30 seconds between attempts to allow the battery to recover. ANTIFREEZE: A continuous squealing noise as soon as the engine is started is a sign the water pump is frozen. The cylinder block could be frozen too. Stop the engine immediately and allow it to thaw out. This may take several days unless the car can be moved to a heated garage.
If the car begins to overheat a few miles from home it’s likely that the radiator has frozen, preventing coolant from circulating. Stop straight away to avoid serious damage and allow the radiator to thaw.
Most modern cars use long-life antifreeze, so it’s important to use the right type and avoid mixing different types. Check the handbook or ask a dealer for advice. Glycol-based antifreeze should be changed at least every two years.
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But despite carrying out all the usual checks, he was baffled why power could not be restored to the vehicle’s engine.
It was only when Mr Smith dismantled the air intake system that he discovered the root of the problem – hundreds of acorns that had been hoarded there by a squirrel.
The car had been parked under an oak tree at Micheldever, Hampshire.
Mr Smith said: ‘The motorist said he couldn’t get the car started but there was no obvious fault.
‘Eventually I wondered whether the air pipe was blocked and when I started to dismantle it, I found the pipe and airbox were rammed with acorns. The squirrel obviously thought it made the perfect secret stash.’