Remember PLUS emergency 1800 88 0000 number

Remember PLUS emergency 1800 88 0000 number.

On 29^th September, 2011 at night after my Mother In Law's burial, my mother, Lee Poh and I were on the way back from JB after sending Matthew and Amanda to Senai Airport (their flight back to KL LCCT). I noticed that my battery warning meter was solid red (alternator not charging). But stubborn as I am, thought.. “no problem one, sure can reach BP, next day only see foreman”.

The lights grew dimmer and dimmer. I called the foreman's assistant. He says "patut tak jalan dulu ... kereta modern, tak ada charge, semua berhenti, sure tak sampai BP". He instructed “air contd kena off”, semua pakai current kena off, battery tahan lama sikit”. Unlike old cars, no electronics, can even remove the battery once car started, it will still run. Foreman instructs his staff to get ready 2 spare batteries to help me get back to BP.

Car stalled on Km52 north bound, near Simpang Rengam. Totally no power from battery, even boot actuator cannot work. Got mother and Lee Poh over the, thankfully, dry drain safely away from car.

Had to call the assistant to ask how to bypass to open boot to get reflector triangle. Managed to retrieve triangle and fix it up some 5 car lengths away. The speed of cars zooming by; the triangle threatens to fly away, heavy as it is.

Anyway soon came along a private tow-truck, thankfully parked behind stalled car to our great relief .... that way his flashing lights "protected" and gave cover to our stalled car. He tried to persuade me to use him to tow car to his workshop. (A friend had used this particular workshop's service, and incidentally I was with him when he broke down then). Remembered that this workshop a bit .... dodgy like, so I stalled .... actually didn't want him to leave since his tow truck was providing cover for me. Meanwhile called 1800 88 0000 for Plus emergency. Also arranged for my own tow from BP (my insurance chap still unsure then whether I am entitled to tow claims; apparently not, I found out later)

The Plus chaps came pretty quickly after the call and completing some preliminaries, sign forms etc, I asked for a short haul tow to nearest toll plaza. They say that even if I didn't ask, their job was to clear the highway ASAP, and if they cannot fix, they will tow... FOC.

The tow truck fellow was still around and still providing me cover, so for his parking the tow truck behind me and flashing his lights, giving us great relief and a sense of safety, I gave him a tenner as a tip. He then escorted the Plus tow for a few kilometers before honking and moving off the convoy. The power of the tip..

Back to the Plus chaps. ... the car was so heavy the tow rope snapped midway to the toll plaza. They then replaced the tow line with a metal rope. Reaching Simpang Rengam, Plus chaps disengaged their tow line and I gave them a tip to thank them, and they refused ... I insisted "ikhlas" and they accepted. They stayed a while longer to ensure my arrangements for my tow truck is okay before leaving.

Mother enjoyed the tow back even though no air contd. Says it’s her first time being towed. Reached workshop nearly dusk, the foreman already had his men open up the workshop to accept car. Next afternoon, car fixed, alternator cut-out diode fault and replaced a squeaky bearing.

Plus service is really a-okay. Keep the 1800 88 0000 number handy... never know when you will need it.