JUNE 2017 www.aant.com.au Australia’s Best Cars Everything you need to know CAR CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE A beginner’s guide Ultra-luxury cruising Sail away in style at NT United service stations * Terms & Conditions apply, see www.aant.com.au/united for full details. june 2 017 President David Loy Council Members Graeme Buckley, Trevor Cox, Cassandra Emmett, Quentin Kilian, Suzanne Morgan, Mark Olivetta, Doug Phillips. Chief Executive Officer Byron Henderson Office 2/14 Knuckey Street DARWIN NT 0800 Postal Address GPO BOX 2584 DARWIN NT 0801 Phone (08) 8925 5901 Fax (08) 8925 5902 Web www.aant.com.au Email [email protected] Facebook facebook.com/aaofnt Twitter twitter.com/aaofnt 24hr Roadside Assistance 6 easy ways to drive your dollar further – p16 and Battery Service Phone 13 11 11 Image © iStock. Hearing Impaired www.relayservice.gov.au Technical Advisory Service Phone 1300 661 466 CONTENTS AANT Membership Phone (08) 8925 5901 Email [email protected] FEATURES REGULARS AANT Touring 04 Welcome Phone (08) 8925 5901 06 Smooth sailing Keeping your boat safe and secure Insurance Enquiries 04 In brief Phone (08) 8925 5901 08 Australia’s Best Cars 05 Insight Web www.aant.com.au Get the low-down on the winners 14 Motor news ntmotor 16 Fuel-saving tips Editor 6 easy ways to drive your dollar further 15 Ask an expert: car maintenance Lauren Reid 20 Ultra-luxury cruising 15 Approved Repairers Email [email protected] The cream of the cruising crop 18 Shopping Advertising HWR Media & Communications COMPETITIONS 23 What’s on NT Phone (08) 8379 9522 05 WIN a travel pack Design Claire Hocking 06 WIN a book pack Printer 23 WIN an outdoors pack Lane Print & Post COVER IMAGE ntmotor is printed on environmentally responsible Ford Ranger XLT 3.2. See p13 for more information. paper, manufactured under the environmental Management System ISO 14001 using elemental Image © Australia's Best Cars. chlorine-free (ECF) pulp sourced from sustainable, well-managed forests. ntmotor is printed using vegetable-based inks from renewable sources and Disclaimer – No responsibility is accepted by the AANT for the accuracy of information contained in advertisements low-energy perfecting print processes. ntmotor is in ntmotor. Publication of an advertisement does not constitute endorsement by the AANT of any product, nor mailed in totally degradable plastic (TDPATM). TDPATM warrant its suitability. ntmotor DOES NOT ACCEPT UNSOLICITED MATERIAL. technology enables products made from polyethylene (PE), © Copyright Automobile Association of the Northern Territory Inc. All rights reserved. This material is copyright under Australian and international laws. Except as permitted under the relevant law, no part of this work may be to degrade when discarded. reproduced by any process without prior written permission of and acknowledgement to the AANT. Don’t forget to recycle this magazine. To find out more visit www.pneb.com.au www.aant.com.au 3 welcome in brief BY LAUREN REID EDITOR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2017 Members are advised that the 54th nominations for election to the AANT Whether you’re in the market for a Annual General Meeting of the Automobile Council must be submitted in writing by new car or just like to keep up to Association of Northern Territory Inc. close of business Monday 31 July 2017. date on motoring news from the top (AANT) will be held on Tuesday, Copies of the prescribed AANT Councillor manufacturers, Australia’s Best Cars 24 October 2017. awards is your best source of information Nomination form are available by written Pursuant to Rule 29(b)(vi) of the Rules of and recommendations. Each year, request to the CEO. the Association, members are advised that experts from Australia’s motoring Member business and election notice of any business which members clubs come together to put the latest wish to have dealt with at the meeting must nominations should be addressed to: models through their paces and rate be submitted in writing, duly proposed AANT President every tiny detail – from acceleration and and seconded, and received by close of Automobile Association of Northern entertainment systems, to fuel efficiency business Thursday 31 August 2017. and comfort. There are 15 categories to Territory Inc. explore, covering everything from micro Members are further advised that, pursuant GPO Box 2584 cars to SUVs, and you can find our full to Rule 19(f) of the Rules of the Association, DARWIN NT 0801 recap of the results on p8. As we all know though, deciding which vehicle to purchase can be a cinch compared to keeping on top of its cleaning and maintenance – not to mention the costs associated with it all. For our top tips on what kinds of products to have on hand to keep your car looking and feeling just like new, head to p15. And BOD NUMBER PLATES ARE BACK to make sure you’re keeping more dollars in your pocket, we’ve got a heap of handy If you missed out on getting your hands on one of the commemorative Bombing fuel-saving hints on p16 and two new of Darwin number plates, don’t worry! They’re back again and ready for sale. The member offers from Repco and Aurora commemorative number plates help to show appreciation and gratitude to our past and Alice Springs across the page in In Brief. present service men and women, and are an initiative from the Northern Territory Government’s Territory Remembers program, Travel-wise, we’re taking things up a proudly supported by AANT. Funds notch this edition, giving you the low- raised go to Legacy NT to down on ultra-luxury cruising. Forget assist with their important budget buffets and overcrowded pools work caring for the families – these cruise lines offer the ultimate in of deceased and disabled personalised service and pampering. You veterans. Give us a call can read all about it on p20. on (08) 8925 5901 to There are also plenty of competitions for purchase yours. the avid travellers – or dreamers – among you, and a full listing of some of the best events to head along to between now and September. Happy reading! NT GOVERNMENT ROAD-SAFETY SURVEY The Northern Territory road toll is at least three times the national average. No death or serious injury is acceptable on Territory roads! Help us move Towards Zero and contribute Lauren Reid to the development of a new NT Road Safety Action Plan. Editor Visit www.haveyoursay.nt.gov.au to: • complete the survey to win an iPad, • register to attend a forum near you, and • provide feedback on Territory roads. COMPETITION WINNERS Congratulations to the following AANT competition winners from ntmotor March 2017: Kids Travel Pack: R Daniels, Alice Springs Diesel Fuel Pack: W Jones, Nyioopi City Travel Pack: KL Hansen, Howard Springs 4 jun 2017 Images © AANT, iStock, Aurora Alice Springs, NT Government, The Territory Remembers. The plates are on sale for $150 and available to purchase from 14 May 2016 to 27 February 2017. 75th Anniversary of the Bombing of DarwinAll proceeds will be donated to Legacy NT to care for families of incapacitated and deceased veterans in the Northern Territory. Commemorative NumberTo order, visit or Platescall AANT on 08 8925 5901 or for more As part of The Territory Remembers program and in information visit www.territoryremembers.nt.gov.au partnership with the Automobile Association of the Northern Territory (AANT), the Northern Territory Government is proud to release 999 sets of specially designed and manufactured commemorative vehicle number plates. The Territory Remembers program aims to increase awareness of the Northern Territory’s involvement in WWII, and commemorate the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin and the defence of Northern Australia. insight AURORA ALICE SPRINGS BY DAVID LOY AANT PRESIDENT BONUS BREAKFAST Your AANT card comes in handy in all kinds of ways, and now it can even score you a free The mid-year school holidays are breakfast when you book accommodation at Aurora Alice Springs. Located right in the heart approaching and for many families that of town and offering free on-site parking, Aurora Alice Springs makes a great base if you means a long road trip interstate, so it’s want to visit local attractions. Or you could spend your time relaxing by the pool and making a good time to look at your AANT level of the most of the free WiFi – the choice is yours. To book, ring (08) 8950 6666 and quote membership. Standard cover is great for AANT or simply log on to www.alicespringsaurora.com.au, search your dates and enter short trips and driving around town, but the promo code AANT to receive your bonus breakfast. you might want to consider upgrading to the Premium level to give you access to the additional extras, such as extended towing distances and emergency accommodation if your car can’t be repaired. Remember also that your AANT membership covers you (not the car), so if you’re planning a holiday interstate and borrow a family or friend’s car you are still covered if that car breaks down. AANT recognises that we are all feeling the pinch in the back pocket, so I’m pleased to let you know that your membership fees will remain unchanged for the next 12 months. We are now two years into our partnership with United Fuel, and we can proudly REPCO UPDATED DISCOUNT say that we have surpassed our goal to save Territorians money at the bowser. If you’re a DIY enthusiast, you’ll be excited to know that Repco is offering AANT members an With new petrol stations opening around exclusive 25 per cent off Repco branded tools, toolkits, tool trolleys and chests.