Bell Fleet

Bell Fleet has recently introduced a new policy when towing their fleet vehicles. In the past there was no limit in terms of how far a vehicle could be towed, but this has now changed.

Bell Fleet has instructed Club Auto not to provide any tow longer than 25 kilometers unless authorized by Bell Fleet’s customer service center.

Club Auto will be obtaining approval for any tows longer than 25 kilometers before dispatching the call out to the CAA clubs. If the initial tow destination indicated in the call is more than 25 kilometers away from the breakdown location, the CAA clubs do not need to call for authorization, and can provide service as requested in the dispatch.

We are sharing this information with the CAA clubs as there will be scenarios where the customer requests a change in tow destination, or cases where the initial service turns in to a tow (boost did not work, etc). In these cases, please instruct your contractors or service providers to have their dispatcher call Club Auto so that we can seek authorization from the Bell Fleet customer service center.

Ford Grace Calls

September 23, 2008





As you may know, Ford of Canada used to offer a “grace call” to Ford customers who needed roadside assistance after their base warranty coverage had expired due to time or mileage.

Effective July 1, 2008, Ford has stopped offering this unofficial benefit to their customers.

As such, Ford of Canada has requested that we become more diligent in ensuring that customers are within the time and mileage limits before service is rendered. Club Auto has instructed our call centre personnel accordingly. We also need the co-operation of CAA service providers in the field. There will be cases where a Ford customer either does not know or deliberately mis-states their current odometer reading.

For calls that are dispatched under the 508 client code, we are asking each of the CAA club dispatch centres to remind their service providers to verify the odometer reading before providing service. If a vehicle is above the base warranty odometer limit listed below, the service provider should refuse service and instruct the customer to call Ford Roadside Assistance for further options.

The following are the warranty terms and odometer limits for vehicles in the Ford program:

2002 and 2003 model year cars and Windstars – 5 years or 100,000 kilometers, whichever occurs first
2002 and 2003 model year trucks – 3 years or 60,000 kilometers, whichever occurs first
2004 to 2006 model year – all vehicles covered for 3 years or 60,000 kilometers, whichever occurs first
2007 to 2009 model year – all vehicles covered for 5 years or 100,000 kilometers, whichever occurs first

F650, F750 and LCF (low cab forward) vehicles are covered for 24 months and unlimited kilometers for all model years.

Again, this only applies to the 508 client code – Ford Base Warranty. This does not apply to the other Ford programs – 518 Ford Renewals and 528 Ford Extended Service Plan.

Club Auto Number

if you need reach Club Auto, here is a number to call to reach them. The phone sits in dispatch 1-866-307-9257.

Hyundai Genesis

Info – Flash
60 Commerce Valley Drive East
Thornhill, Ontario
L3T 7P9

Fax: (905) 771-4004
Tel: (905) 771-4001

Club
Auto
Roadside
Services
September 4, 2008


Hyundai Genesis


Hyundai has recently released their new luxury vehicle, the Hyundai Genesis. The Genesis represents Hyundai’s first venture into the luxury vehicle market, with a price range of $38,000 - $49,000. View the website here - http://www.hyundaigenesis.ca/

This vehicle is the only rear-wheel drive vehicle in their lineup. As such, Hyundai has requested that this vehicle be towed on a flatbed tow truck wherever possible. The use of dollies is acceptable if a flatbed is not readily available.

We will be forwarding copies of the towing procedure once we receive Owner’s Manuals from Hyundai Canada. In the meantime, please encourage the service providers to review the Owner’s Manual in the vehicle being serviced prior to towing and hook up. Please use extra caution when towing these vehicles.

Spare Tire Usage on 2005 and Newer Dodge Caravan and

The Stow and Go spare tire found on most 2005 and 2006 Dodge Caravan and
Chrysler Town and Country models in unconventional in several respects and not very
user-friendly! The instructions as found in the owner’s manual must be followed completely and accurately to make the process work easily. In addition, all standard tire changing safety precautions must be followed:
• Be sure that the vehicle is in a safe, stable and relatively level location to allow
jacking and tire changing. If not, the vehicle should be towed.
• Place a chock under the wheel diagonally opposite from the flat tire location.
• Jack the vehicle only at the approved jacking locations. In this case, the jack
should be placed at the notched areas near the front and rear ends of the pinch
welds beneath the rocker panels.
To use the Stow and Go spare, proceed as follows:
First, the tool pouch must be removed. The pouch is located behind and to the left
of the jack, inside the compartment at the rear of the left wheel well in the rear cargo
area.
Remove and assemble the three-piece tire and jacking tool. Place the plastic tool
section to form a “T” handle to release the spare tire. Insert the tool into the opening in
the floor, located at the front of the console between the two front seats.

Turn the tool counter-clockwise approximately 33 turns until it becomes harder to move.
The spare tie is now fully lowered and ready to retrieve from under the vehicle.
If necessary, jack the car to provide enough room to slide the spare out from
underneath. The tire may be removed from either the driver’s or passenger’s side.
Remove the plastic piece from the tool and install it lengthwise to form a hook at one
end. Then, use the tool to drag the tire and cover assembly completely out from under the
vehicle.
To remove the tire from the cover and cable, stand the tire vertically and squeeze
in the two retaining clips located on the outside center of the wheel. (See figure 4.) Then
slip the retainer and cable through the wheel to the inside. The tire will not slip freely out
of the cover.
The full-size flat tire removed from the vehicle will not fit into the cover and
under-body storage area. The cover and removed tire and wheel must be stowed in the
rear cargo area until the spare is removed.
To retract the cable assembly, reinstall the plastic piece to form a “T” handle and
reinsert it into the floor opening used for lowering. Turn the tool clockwise
approximately 34 turns until it becomes harder to move. The cable is now fully stowed
under the floor.