It does not matter if you’re a good car owner. Your car will still break down at some point. It can be due to a dying battery, an unexpected collision, an extreme weather condition, or a flat tire. No matter what the cause is, you’ve got to be ready for any unexpected situations.
One of the best ways to prepare for an unexpected car breakdown is to save the number of a reliable towing company. It’s best to do your research first. Once you’ve found a reputable towing company, save their number on your phone. If you experience a car breakdown in the middle of the road, you can contact them for help.
However, there are also roadside assistance tools that can help you get back on the road without the help of a towing company. These tools include:
Portable Fire Extinguishers
Nowadays, cars are susceptible to catch fire during a collision. Thus, a portable fire extinguisher is a crucial tool to have for any car owner. Typically, fire extinguishers are rated based on the type of fire they can eliminate.
For example, a couple of fire extinguishers can eliminate fires caused by diesel and gas. On the other hand, some extinguishers can eliminate fires coming from electric devices.
Warning Triangles
It is hazardous to stop in the middle of a highway. However, your car does not always stop on the sides if it breaks down. Because of this, it’s important to have warning triangles. This will warn other drivers so that they can use caution when they approach your car.
Think about investing in foldable warning triangles with reflective colors. With this, you can easily store them in your vehicle without taking up a lot of space. In addition to that, you have to guarantee you place the triangles 50 feet away from your car.
Car Code Reader
It can be frustrating to see warning lights such as Check Engine Lights or ABS. This is particularly true if you’ve got no clue what’s causing it. A car code reader is a simple diagnostic tool that removes engine lights and other related problems. A mechanic will attach it to the onboard computer of your vehicle and helps you clear, interpret, and analyze any warning lights.
Torque Wrenches
For those who don’t know, every car owner’s manual has a unique specification when it comes to lugging nuts torque. The reason for this is that under-tightening or over-tightening these fasteners can lead to a lot of problems with your car. For instance, over-tightening cylinder head bolts can lead to loss of coolant.
A torque wrench can help you apply a particular torque to tighten a fastener. This can include bolts, nuts, and screws. It is extremely useful when you have to tighten a fastener properly. A high-quality torque wrench enables a car owner to set the torque to match the specifications of a specific part. Though there are a couple of available torque wrenches in the market, a lot of professionals recommend the interchangeable one since it is extremely versatile.
For a lot of car owners, experiencing a vehicle breakdown in the middle of the road is extremely overwhelming. This is particularly true if they are a long way from home. Unluckily, car breakdowns can occur to everyone. It does not matter how good of a driver you are.
Anything can happen, from a complete engine failure to a flat tire. On several occasions, the passengers and driver require help. However, there are a couple of things you have to do before you contact a towing company.
Before you open Google and search for “towing near me”, here are several things you should do first:
Always Hire a Reliable Towing Company
It is always crucial to hire a reliable company with an excellent reputation. This is particularly true if you aren’t certain if you need to tow your car. A professional towing company will take good care of your car, your passengers, and yourself. They will immediately come to help you. They can move your vehicle to a safe spot without causing damages to the car.
Examine Your Car for Leaks or Visible Damage
Did your car suddenly stop running? If so, there are a lot of reasons why it can happen. Perhaps you might have no gas in the tank. However, it can be more serious than that. Routine maintenance and examination are an excellent way to guarantee that your vehicle is properly operating at all times. A reliable mechanic will always know if your car has leaks, a bad thermostat, or is burning oil.
You should inspect under your car for indications of a leak if your car suddenly stopped. This is especially true if you are certain you’ve got gas in your car. You should turn off your car right away if you notice a puddle of coolant or motor oil. The reason for this is that you can cause irreparable damage to your vehicle if you force yourself to turn it on.
Bad electrics is another reason why cars stop in the middle of the road. Your vehicle will stop working if the alternator is not charging the battery or the battery is not operational.
If your car stopped and you are sure that no physical damage has caused it, try turning on the stereo, hazards, or lights. It is an indication that you have to call a towing company if you notice that there is no power.
Examine Your Car for Gas
A lot of car owners call towing companies as soon as their car stops working. However, one of the most popular reasons why car owners experience breakdowns is not because their vehicles aren’t properly functioning. Most of the time, they ran out of gas.
You can always contact a friend to bring you a gallon of gas if your vehicle stopped near your house. This will allow you to reach the nearest gas station and refill your tank. You don’t have to hire a car towing company for these kinds of breakdowns. However, there are a couple of car towing companies that offer gas delivery for cars that ran out of gas in themiddle of nowhere.
Towing a car is difficult. It requires professional driving experience and lots of skills. Aside from that, you also have to be patient since you’re responsible for the car of your client. Thus, a reliable towing company can securely tow your car to its destination.
Unfortunately, there are a couple of towing companies out there that don’t care. Their negligence and irresponsibility can cause damages to your car. These damages can be too expensive for you. It can also end up with a lot of arguments with the towing company.
Usually, the driver is liable for the damage he does to your vehicle when towing it. However, there are a couple of things you should know first.
If you’re looking for “towing near me” on Google, here are several things you should know:
Are Towing Companies Responsible for the Damage While Towing?
A towing company should always be responsible. They need to take care of the car of their clients. Their main task is to take the car of a client to a nearby workshop or safer location. Thus, the towing company is usually accountable for any damage to the car while towing. This is especially true if the tow truck driver is negligent and caused an accident.
A couple of occasions in which the damage can happen unintentionally by the tow truck driver are:
The tow truck driver is driving fast and hits a person.
The towed car gets unhooked from the tow truck and hits another car.
The towed car collides with another car while changing lanes.
All of these cases are the results of negligence. If the tow truck driver is responsible enough, there will be fewer cases like this. The driver is liable for such damages, as well as the towing company.
Unfortunately, you should first read the terms and conditions of the towing company. The reason for this is that not all companies will pay for the damages.
Forms of Damages that Can Happen
The most common problem faced by towing clients is damage to the bumper of the car. The reason for this is that the car is placed incorrectly at the back due to the driver’s negligence.
If the driver does not know how to properly use brakes when towing a car, it can also cause damage. The sudden stop can cause the rear car to collide with the towing truck. Damages to the car bumper can be expensive. Oftentimes, you might have to replace the entire bumper. Other damages may include scratches, cracks, windscreen damage, and flat tires.
What Should You Do?
The things you can do if the towing company damages your car depend on your state or location. That is why you should always take a picture of your car before you hire a towing company. This will help you be on the safe side. Make sure you read everything in the contract before you sign it.
One of the best things you can do to avoid this is to hire a professional and reliable towing company. Always read reviews before hiring one. It’s the best way to separate bad companies from good ones.
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