4 Tips for How to Know When to Handle Roadside Trouble Yourself and When to Call a Tow Company
Dealing with car troubles is never fun but it gets even worse when the problems start on the road. It’s important to understand your limits and be able to identify what auto issues you can deal with yourself and when it’s time to call a tow truck – the difference can literally be life and death!
With a bit of understanding you will be able to see the situation clearly and take the correct course of action, whether that’s dealing with the trouble on your own or calling in a tow truck for some assistance.
Here’s 4 tips for how to know when to handle roadside trouble yourself and when to call a tow truck:
Know When its Safe to Change a Tire
Flat tires are the most common type of roadside issue and they can certainly be dealt with yourself in many instances. However, it’s important to identify whether it is safe to change the tire where you are stranded.
For example, if it happens in a city street or a quiet country road during the day, then you may be able to handle it yourself, as the traffic isn’t too bad and you will be very visible to other drivers.
Never make the mistake of thinking it’s safe to change a tire anywhere though! If it’s night time or you are one a busier road like an interstate or highway, call the tow truck and wait for help, as the risks just aren’t worth it.
The same can be applied for most minor car issues – always avoid doing it yourself on busy or poorly lit roads, as there are no guarantee other drivers can see you when making repairs.
Don’t Do it Without the Tools
It’s an obvious one but still worth mentioning – if you don’t have the tools to fix the problem then call for a tow truck. Sometimes this seems like overkill, especially when dealing with a tire change or dead battery, yet it’s always better to call for help for a quick fix rather than waiting for another driver or walking miles to try source tools.
Never Take the Chance in Poor Weather
You should never risk repairs of any kind during poor weather conditions, including snow storms, heavy rainfall, high winds, frost, and any other extreme conditions. While some repairs may seem possible, other drivers may not see you on the road or be able to react safely when they do due to the poorer driving conditions.
Always Call a Tow Truck in Unknown Locations
Another important thing to remember is to always call a tow truck when you breakdown somewhere unfamiliar. Being a long way from home and stuck on the roadside is a daunting prospect, and while it may seem like you can fix the issue and get back on track, it’s not really worth the risk when you are so far from your home or a garage.
Plaza Towing has been serving the roadside and vehicle transporting needs of Coachella Valley since 1969. With locations in Palm Desert and Indio, and a fleet of over 30 tow trucks, Plaza Towing is able to handle every roadside service challenge and meet every towing need. Offering light duty towing, medium duty towing, heavy duty towing, specialized trailer transport, and private party impounds, one or more of our tow vehicles are always out on the road providing quality service to both individual and commercial customers somewhere in Coachella Valley. Readily available 24/7/365, contact Plaza Towing to get a truck dispatched to your location either now, or at a planned time of your choosing. Reach us online, or call us now at (866) 775-4314!
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6 Ways to Avoid Breakdowns When You Drive a Classic Car
Whether you are looking to enjoy the scenery while driving your classic car or planning a road trip, you will need to make sure that your car is prepared. Although all types of cars should be prepared before the road trip, classic cars particularly require you to do a little bit more work.
Here are 6 ways to avoid breakdowns when you drive a classic car:
Tune-Up
A simple tune-up can go a long way when it comes to preventing classic car breakdowns. It is a great way to prepare your vehicle for what it will endure. The following are some things you should take care of:
• Look for clogged air filters and issues with the fuel system.
• Change the oil and filter.
• Check the spark and also check for any suspicious oil or carbon deposits on the plugs.
Check the Tires
The correct tire pressure helps minimize wear. If your classic car has been in storage for a while, then it is highly recommended that you check tires for flat spots. Replace cracked or worn tires. Check the air pressure of your spare tire as well. There is no point in having a backup if it is not even ready to be used.
Check for Worn Rubber
Check the status of belts, seals, and gaskets. Any cracks or wearing will require replacement. This quick step will help you prevent having to replace a broken belt while on the road.
Check the Brakes
Check the brakes and make sure that the level of fluid in the master cylinder is correct. Check all the wheels of your classic car for brake fluid leakage. Owners of new vintage or classic cars usually don’t know when the brake lines or pads were last changed.
Check All the Cooling Systems
You want to make sure that the engine of your car is running cool. It is recommended that you flush the cooling system and replace it with new fluid. You should also make sure that the radiator cap fits tightly and there is no debris in the radiator pads.
Take the Car Out for a Road Test
Before you go on a road trip, it is highly recommended that you take your classic car out for a road test, driving both highway roads and city streets to get the vehicle in various road conditions. This will help you determine whether the car operates in every condition and what may possibly go wrong so you can tweak it before your trip. If you know that your trip will take your classic vehicle over certain types of terrain, then test the vehicle first on that type of terrain to make sure that it will be able to handle it.
No one wants to worry about the risk of their vehicle breaking down while on the road. Properly preparing your classic car before going on a road trip will help you prevent breakdowns and make your journey so much better.
Plaza Towing has been serving the roadside and vehicle transporting needs of Coachella Valley since 1969. With locations in Palm Desert and Indio, and a fleet of over 30 tow trucks, Plaza Towing is able to handle every roadside service challenge and meet every towing need. Offering light duty towing, medium duty towing, heavy duty towing, specialized trailer transport, and private party impounds, one or more of our tow vehicles are always out on the road providing quality service to both individual and commercial customers somewhere in Coachella Valley. Readily available 24/7/365, contact Plaza Towing to get a truck dispatched to your location either now, or at a planned time of your choosing. Reach us online, or call us now at (866) 775-4314!
The post 6 Ways to Avoid Breakdowns When You Drive a Classic Car appeared first on Plaza Towing.
Have a More Enjoyable Road Trip by Doing These 6 Things Before You Go
Going on a road trip is something everyone should experience at least once in their life. Nothing quite compares to hitting the open road in search of adventure, although it always helps to do a bit of planning before your trip to ensure its fun and enjoyable for everyone.
Here are 6 things to do before you head on your road trip for even better experience:
Make a Flexible Plan
Part of the fun of a road trip is driving into the unknown, which is why you shouldn’t focus too much on creating a tight plan with a packed itinerary.
Yes, you want a rough destination to travel towards and probably have a few things you’d love to check out on the way, but other than that try to remain very loose and flexible with your plans.
There is likely to be a few delays, pitstops, and detours along the way, so give yourself plenty of time to do whatever the day brings you. Over planning is only going to make the trip more stressful and less spontaneous!
Set a Budget
Road trips are more affordable than most other types of travel, but that doesn’t mean its going to be cheap. By setting a budget, you avoid overspending and won’t need to worry about how much money you have, giving more time to enjoy the trip.
Be sure to set aside cash for essentials like gas, food, and accommodation, unless you plan on camping or sleeping in your vehicle!
Give the Vehicle a Good Clean
Nobody wants to travel long distances in a car filled with trash, so make sure you give it a good clean before heading out. Plus, mess will quickly accumulate on your trip so by cleaning it before hand it means just some minor cleaning each day to keep the inside nice and clean.
This is especially true if sleeping in the car – nobody wants to share their bed with all kinds of junk!
Get the Vehicle Checked
The last thing that you want in the middle of a road trip is for vehicle problems, so take it to get checked by a mechanic before you leave. Have them check fluids, tires, brakes, and electronics to make sure no issues arise.
Make Sure to Buy a Map
Yes, Google Maps is a fantastic tool for road trips and it should be part of your navigation setup. You may also have GPS built into the vehicle but it’s still a good idea to purchase a physical map just in case there are connection issues or problems with the devices.
Also, checking out the map and finding hidden gems on your route only enhances the road trip experience, so grab a map and some pens and mark down places you may want to check out alone the way.
Prepare for the Worst
Nothing beats the peace of mind knowing you are safe should the worse happen on the road, which is why you should always have some emergency plans in place. Pack a medical kit, join a roadside assistance program, bring some repair tools in case something breaks down, and make sure your insurance is up to date!
Plaza Towing has been serving the roadside and vehicle transporting needs of Coachella Valley since 1969. With locations in Palm Desert and Indio, and a fleet of over 30 tow trucks, Plaza Towing is able to handle every roadside service challenge and meet every towing need. Offering light duty towing, medium duty towing, heavy duty towing, specialized trailer transport, and private party impounds, one or more of our tow vehicles are always out on the road providing quality service to both individual and commercial customers somewhere in Coachella Valley. Readily available 24/7/365, contact Plaza Towing to get a truck dispatched to your location either now, or at a planned time of your choosing. Reach us online, or call us now at (866) 775-4314!
The post Have a More Enjoyable Road Trip by Doing These 6 Things Before You Go appeared first on Plaza Towing.
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6 Ways to Get Better Gas Mileage and Save Money
Getting better gas mileage does not necessarily mean buying high end fuel delivery systems or switching to a hybrid vehicle. There are several ways to get better mileage and make them a habit to reduce your fuel costs. These particularly come in handy when the gasoline prices go up and you need to conserve as much of the savings as possible.
Here are 6 ways to get better gas mileage and save money:
1. Drive More Efficiently
This may seem obvious but the early morning drive to work or the rush at five o’clock can cause us to brake quickly and accelerate rapidly. The frequent braking and rapid acceleration can be detrimental to vehicle’s fuel efficiency. If you want to get better gas mileage, then it is recommended that you drive more efficiently, avoid idling for more than a few minutes, and use cruise control whenever possible.
2. Keep Up with Vehicle Maintenance
You can cut fuel gauge costs as well as increase the fuel efficiency of your vehicle with preventive maintenance. Keeping up with vehicle maintenance will help you identify the gas guzzling problems on time and fix them before they become worse. Apart from this, you should also use the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil as it can improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and gas mileage by 1-2%.
3. Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated
Your gas mileage is significantly affected by under-inflated tires. You can add a few more miles to each gallon of gasoline by simply keeping your tires at the proper air pressure. You can read about the correct pressure for your tires in the owner’s manual.
4. Change the Air Filter
Engines with dirty or clogged air filters work harder than engines with clean air filters. So, it is highly recommended that you change the air filter so that your vehicle’s engine operates much more efficiently, and you get better gas mileage.
5. Drop the Excess Weight
The heavier the vehicle, the harder it is to roll. Heavy vehicles require more gas as they make the engine work harder. So, you should check what you carry inside your trunk and vehicle. Dropping the excess weight will allow the engine to roll your vehicle more easily, hence achieving better gas mileage. Check the trunk and if there is anything that doesn’t need to be in it, remove it as soon as possible.
6. Combine the Errands When Possible
Planning appointments, errands, and other trips will help you save money and time. It is also recommended that you combine the errands whenever possible. Going out on several errands during the day is a real gas waster. You can save on gasoline in the long run by making a habit of combining several trips into one.
Final Word
Improving your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and getting better gas mileage can become a rather interesting game. It simply requires a little bit of research and ingenuity, but it is all well worth it. When it comes to saving fuel and getting better gas mileage, the small things really add up.
Plaza Towing has been serving the roadside and vehicle transporting needs of Coachella Valley since 1969. With locations in Palm Desert and Indio, and a fleet of over 30 tow trucks, Plaza Towing is able to handle every roadside service challenge and meet every towing need. Offering light duty towing, medium duty towing, heavy duty towing, specialized trailer transport, and private party impounds, one or more of our tow vehicles are always out on the road providing quality service to both individual and commercial customers somewhere in Coachella Valley. Readily available 24/7/365, contact Plaza Towing to get a truck dispatched to your location either now, or at a planned time of your choosing. Reach us online, or call us now at (866) 775-4314!
The post 6 Ways to Get Better Gas Mileage and Save Money appeared first on Plaza Towing.