Distracted Driving Risks

Ensuring alertness when driving is absolutely necessary for driving safety and avoiding situations that require roadside assistance. In this blog entry, the roadside assistance and driving safety experts here at Chicago Towing will detail the dangerous events that can occur when drivers are distracted.

Impact with Road Debris

With the constant flow of traffic, and many cars carrying objects, it’s guaranteed that eventually drivers will come upon debris on the road. Distracted drivers can easily run over debris – which can damage your car, or even cause an accident.

Fallen Off Wheels

A common cause of car accidents are vehicle wheels that fall off cars and damage other vehicles around the road. Alert drivers can recognize these passing wheels in real time and drive away from them, avoiding accidents. Loose wheels on roads can move in any direction, meaning that they must be avoided at all costs.

Driving Off the Road

Distracted drivers can easily drive off the road with just a momentary lapse in attention. By staying alert, you can make sharp turns when needed, and not accidentally space out and drive off the road. It’s essential to maintain full awareness to adjust to all sudden turns and stay on the road – this is especially true when you’re traveling on that particular route for the first time.

Overheating Vehicles

Safe and aware driving includes paying attention to your car’s safety signals on it’s panel. If you miss a safety alert, your car can wind up damaged, or even broken down. A common form of dashboard warning related to accidents is automotive auto heating. If you’re signaled that your car is overheating, stop the car, check the radiator’s water levels – refill it if necessary – and then you’re good to go! Overlooked overheating can render your car inoperable, and leave you stranded on the road, in need of automotive assistance service.

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Towing New Jersey For Over 30 Years: Why You Need Experienced Pros

You wouldn’t get your car towed by just any company, would you? Experience is necessary.

There are plenty of companies that are currently towing in New Jersey. With that said, it’s necessary that you do your due diligence when choosing a towing service. You want your car to be cared for by a trusted team right? Let’s review why experienced pros are needed as opposed to any other towing service.

Track Record of Success

When working with a towing service, they need to be reputable. Why get towed by a company that has scores of bad reviews when you can work with a company that is heavily praised by their customers. Look for keywords like “professionalism, quality, and punctuality” when searching through online reviews. If the company has those three characteristics according to their clientele, you’ll surely have a pleasant experience too. 

Here’s an actual example of a great review:

“He was genuinely concerned for my classic car (1966 jaguar) and the 100 miles we needed to travel. Seamless and excellent service. Will totally use Accurate again.”

Clearly, they made sure to choose the towing company that provides unmatched care to their customers and their vehicles. When it comes to providing exceptional service and care to your car while towing in New Jersey, you don’t want to deal with amateurs. That’s why a track record of success is necessary.

dditional Services Offered

When towing in New Jersey with inexperienced companies, they often only offer a handful of services. If your car needs a tow and subsequent repair, you may be out of luck. However, if the team you’re working with has years of experience and countless services, you may be in better shape. 

Being able to provide services such as repair, recovery, and heavy hauling on top of towing not only makes things more convenient for you but also demonstrates their authority in the field. Companies with a wide range of offerings clearly employ experts who have mastered their crafts and all related aspects of the job. Why pay premiums on outside repairs or hauling when you can continue working with the company that towed you in the first place? 

Trust in Emergencies

Many companies towing in New Jersey offer 24/7 services to help you get back on the road or to a repair facility in the event of an emergency. With that in mind, would you trust any old towing company to rescue you at 3 in the morning? Probably not.

Trust is extremely important in emergency situations. Imagine you’re in need of recovery services in the early morning but have to get to work by noon. Would you trust an inexperienced team to arrive fast enough in order for you to get to work on time? 

We don’t think so. In these kinds of situations, your best bet is a towing service with decades of experience handling emergency rescues and tows. In fact, experienced professionals will be able to arrive on the scene in 30 minutes or less, regardless of where you are or what time it is. With the right towing company, you will receive quick and effective service.

towing in new jersey

Which Pros Are Experienced Enough With Towing in New Jersey?

There should only be one answer that comes to mind: Accurate Towing. Our professionals have all the necessary experience to tow your vehicle. Period. We’ve been towing New Jersey for over 30 years and there is no end in sight. Whether you need a heavy-duty tow or an off-road recovery,  you can trust Accurate to do it all. Call us today and we’ll give you a free quote.

The post Towing New Jersey For Over 30 Years: Why You Need Experienced Pros appeared first on Accurate Towing Service.

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Automotive Transmission Issues

Transmission failure is one of the leading issues that cause drivers to call our expert roadside assistance team. In this blog entry, the roadside towing experts here at Chicago Towing will detail the top signs that indicate a car’s transmission is experiencing failure.

Gear Shift Issues

If your car won’t shift into the right gear, it’s likely due to transmission issues. You might experience a delay in gear engagement after shifting from drive to spark (with automatic transmission cars.) If your car has manual transmission, this issue can be seen in a delay between revving your engine and the speed of the vehicle increasing (your car will accelerate slower than expected.) This phenomenon is known as slipping transmission.

Strange Sounds

If you’re hearing strange and unfamiliar sounds coming from your vehicle – like humming, clanking, or a buzz, it’s likely due to a failed transmission. Transmissions are complicated pieces of machinery with many moving parts – and wear on a single one of these parts can cause strange noises. These sounds indicate the potential of a transmission failure. Automatic transmission issues cause buzzing or humming, while manual transmission failures cause clunking.

Fluid Leakage

Transmission fluid is essential for lowering the friction in your vehicle and stopping it’s engine from overheating. Transmission fluid leakages increase the chances that your transmission will overheat or completely fail. If you see bright red liquid under your car, it must be brought to a transmission shop as soon as possible. If there’s leaking black or dark brown fluid that has a burning smell, it indicates that your transmission is overheating and that the transmission fluid has been burnt – meaning that the transmission must be fully replaced.

Burning Odor

Like mentioned above, a burning odor indicates that transmission fluid is beginning to overheat, likely because of a metallic part breaking down, or sludge or debris within the clutch. Transmission fluid must be flushed out after 100,000 miles – neglecting to do so will cause this burning smell. This smell is reminiscent of burning rubber, and may be accompanied by smoke.

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3 Reasons Why Tow Trucks Get So Busy in the Spring Time

3-Reasons-Why-Tow-Trucks-Get-So-Busy-in-the-Spring-Time
While Winter is certainly one of the busiest times of the year for tow trucks, Spring is far from being an incident-free season for drivers on the road. Yes, the weather has improved so there are fewer risks when driving, yet the impact that the long winter has on your vehicle often rears its head come Spring time.

This leads to a surprising amount of vehicle breakdowns, with all kinds of issues causing drivers to require roadside assistance. As a result, tow trucks get very busy during Spring time, so let’s take a closer look at some reasons why this happens!

1. Better Driver Conditions Means More Drivers on the Road

This one is surprisingly simple – Spring brings better driving conditions so people tend to drive more frequently compared to winter. Icy and snowy conditions have subsided for the most part, so people can drive longer without any risks, leading to a notable increase in vehicles on the road.

As you can image, more vehicles mean more possibility of breakdowns, whether from long-term issues that developed over winter or general auto accidents like a fender bender or getting locked out the car.

2. The Effects of Winter

Winter is a harsh time for any vehicle. Beyond the inherent risks of driving in ice, snow, sleet, and rain, the extreme conditions can wreak havoc on various parts of your vehicle. These problems sometimes don’t rear their heads until spring, where the changing conditions and/or increased use of your vehicle cause the issues to become very apparent.

For example, the low temperatures in winter force the car battery to work harder than normal, and when the temperatures rise in Spring the fluids in the battery evaporate much quicker, increasing the chances of the battery completely dying.

Similarly, constant changes in temperature between Winter and Spring cause tire pressure to fluctuate, leading them to be over or underinflated. When this happens, tires are susceptible to bursting, with many people needing to call a tow truck in spring for a tire change.

These are a just a few examples of the various auto issues that start to develop in winter and come to head by the Spring time. Always make sure to get your car checked and serviced for Spring time!

3. Spring Break
One of the busiest times of the year for travelling, Spring break sees students across the country head home or away on vacation while schools take a short break. Colleges have different dates for Spring break, so for most of Spring time you will find a lot of students driving on the road, often across long distances as they head home for vacation.

Tow trucks often find themselves assisting students that are travelling during Spring break, often in vehicles that aren’t in the newest condition. These breakdown issues can be something minor like a failed tire or something more serious with the engine, which can often happen when making a long-distance drive.

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 3 Reasons Why Tow Trucks Get So Busy in the Spring Time appeared first on Plaza Towing.

5 Common Reasons That Big Rig Trucks Need Roadside Assistance

5 Common Reasons That Big Rig Trucks Need Roadside Assistance
As some of the largest vehicles on the road, it is little surprise that big rig trucks are susceptible to frequent breakdowns. Add in the fact that these vehicles travel long distances for prolonged periods and it’s easy to see why most big rig trucks need to call for roadside assistance at some stage!

There are other factors that make the huge vehicles more prone to breakdowns, from the age of the rig to the current driving conditions, leading to various types of auto problems that typically appear at the worst time possible.

Let’s take a look at the 5 most common reasons that big rig trucks need roadside assistance – being aware of the causes may help you avoid a breakdown in the future!

Tires

Without a doubt the most common cause of big rig breakdown is tire problems, accounting for around half of all breakdowns. The reasons that tires fail on big rigs are much the same as any other vehicle, with things like under or over inflation, worn treads, and misaligned axles on being contributing factors for tire failure.

Additionally, give the massive weights that these tires are carrying over long distances, wearing tends to occur at a much quicker pace than a car, even if the huge tires are designed to withstand larger loads.

Brakes

Damaged brakes account for roughly 30% of big rig breakdowns, making it the second most common cause for needing roadside assistance.

The reason brake failure is so common on big rig trucks is the immense pressure that the drum brake and discs are under – they are exposed to more friction, heat, and pressure than brakes on other vehicles.

Most of this can be avoided with regular maintenance, checking for signs of wearing on the brakes like rusting, corrosion, air leakages, water contamination etc.

Refrigeration Issues

With a large portion of big rig trucks transporting temperature-controlled goods, such as food and medicine, they require special refrigerated trailers to maintain the correct temperature to avoid spoiling the goods.

Should any sort of problem arise with the refrigeration unit then roadside assistance is quickly needed to prevent the products from going to waste. It’s the type of problem truck drivers cannot overlook or their entire load could end up ruined.

Cooling System

Lots of connections are needed in big rig trucks to operate the coolant system, yet these connections are susceptible to breaking and disconnecting during transit, leading to coolant loss that will cause issues with the thermostat.

Thankfully, it can be fixed with relative ease, although the need to stop wait for roadside assistance is still a huge inconvenience for drivers.

Electrics

Big rig trucks have a lot more electrics than your average vehicle, including cranking and charging systems, along with standard electrics like the truck’s lights. These complex electrical systems need regular maintenance to avoid failure, which is a common cause for big rig breakdowns.

In fact, there are three electrical systems that need maintained, with start motor, alternator, and battery all playing an important role in the vehicle functioning. Any issues with these will require immediate roadside assistance, whether it’s the truck failing to start or battery dying mid drive.

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 5 Common Reasons That Big Rig Trucks Need Roadside Assistance appeared first on Plaza Towing.

4 Tips for How to Know When to Handle Roadside Trouble Yourself and When to Call a Tow Company

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!

The post 4 Tips for How to Know When to Handle Roadside Trouble Yourself and When to Call a Tow Company appeared first on Plaza Towing.

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6 Ways to Avoid Breakdowns When You Drive a Classic Car

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

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

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.

6 Vehicle Maintenance Tasks You Should Do In The Fall

6 Vehicle Maintenance Tasks You Should Do In The Fall
Fall has finally arrived, meaning summer is the rear-view mirror and the days are set to cooler and shorter as we head towards winter. This presents the perfect opportunity to conduct some regular vehicle maintenance, with the changing seasons having various effects on our vehicles.

Winter has many challengers for drivers and their vehicles, which is why its so important to be prepared ahead of time during the Fall!

Here are 6 vehicle maintenance tasks you should check off your list this Fall:

Get an Oil Change

Your oil level may be okay for now but the colder weather does make oil more susceptible to freezing while the engine will neutrally be colder, so you need to be well-lubricated to remain in top condition for the coming months.

Remember, oil needs to be changed every 5,000 miles and you’ve likely clocked up a large portion of these during the summer months, especially if you’ve done some traveling. It’s always good to have a fresh oil change during the fall to ensure everything is working well into winter.

Make Sure Heaters and Defrosters Work

As you can imagine, your heaters are going to be on more often during Fall and into winter, so always check to see these are working as expected, especially if you’ve not turned them on throughout the summer.

Similarly, check defrosters to ensure they are working – the last thing you want is a frozen windshield that you need to get out and scrape in a cold fall morning!

Check Battery

A combination of colder weather and using heaters more often means the vehicle’s battery is under more strain come the fall. So, it’s a good idea to take the battery to get checked and replaced, if necessary. You can also clean the connections to ensure the wire is properly connected.

Check Lights

If you haven’t checked all your lights by the end of summer, then now is the time to do so. Fall means shorter days and longer nights, so your lights are going to be used more frequently and you’ll want to make sure they all work.

Check everything including headlines, brake lights, emergency lights and taillights to ensure they work, and no bulbs need to be replaced. Consider cleaning them too as there may be a build-up of dust, dirt, and dead bugs from the summer months.

Clean or Replace Windshield Wipers

You may not have used your windshield wipers during the summer but that’s probably going to change come fall. Wipers need to be clean and unbroken, otherwise they won’t clear the windshield properly and could cause a huge safety risk when driving in the rain.

So, check the windshield wipers for signs of wearing or any cracks, replacing immediately if they appear damaged.

Check Tires

Tires need to be in good condition for fall and winter because the road conditions are more hazardous. Check the pressure levels and get them filled with air if too low, while also inspecting the treads for signs of wearing, replacing if necessary.

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 Vehicle Maintenance Tasks You Should Do In The Fall appeared first on Plaza Towing.