Auto Roadside Assistance

There’s no way to get around the fact that vehicles experience damage, often irrevocably, everyday in America.  According to recent data, in the early part of 2009, approximately 1.3 million cars were tagged as damaged, either because of accidents or severe weather.  When damage such as this occurs, it is required that the car’s official title be “branded” as Lemon, Salvaged, Flood, etc, in order for used car shoppers to be protected from buying a poor product.

However, it is predicted that at least 15% of the 2009 damaged cars, or a total of 185,000, have gotten new titles in other states that don’t include the offending “brand”.  This sort of “title-washing” leaves buyers in the dark, and causes them to purchase vehicles that they otherwise wouldn’t have considered.  This is leading to a high level of unsafe vehicles on the road that often requires emergency roadside assistance.

Of course it is no secret that there can be pitfalls to purchasing a pre-owned car.  Unfortunately, consumers can inherit other people’s car problems.  This is why it is important to do your homework before buying a used car and always access vehicle records online.  In addition, you should purchase used car warranties to protect your wallet.

Since your car carries precious cargo, you need to be aware of its safety features.  One aspect of safety that people often ignore is the brake system.  That is, until a major problem arises.  Don’t find yourself stuck on the side of the road calling your road service program, look out for the following brake problems.

If you hear grinding or squealing you need to have your brakes looked at.  This often indicates that brake pads are worn or glazed.  Unfortunately, many motorists wait until the grinding sound is heard, which means the brakes have already worn into the rotors.  If you wait for the grinding noise there will be financial consequences.

The cause of the brake pedal pulsating is heat and wear.  Heat and wear will make the brake rotor or drum thin out.  Usually, this means that brakes need to be replaced.

If you hear clicking while braking your brake pads are loose and need to be replaced.  The factory puts “anti-rattle” devices to stop the clicking noise, but they break over time.

Brakes are an important safety feature in your vehicle and shouldn’t be ignored.  Look for these warning signs so that you don’t end up on the side of the road calling for emergency auto assistance.

Sometimes roads seem like war-zones.  We encounter potholes, icy streets and ruts that can imperil motorists and vehicles.  Being aware of poor road conditions can help you protect your vehicle.  Besides having roadside assistance, there are a few things that you can do when driving that could save you from an accident.

Keep your eyes open for bad potholes.  It is important to go slow and keep your hand on the wheel when you encounter one.  If you hit a pothole too hard your car’s alignment will go out.  Also, steel-belted tires can be damaged by potholes, which could cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle.

Ruts in the road will do minimal damage to a car.  However, drivers need to be careful when going over ruts because it easy to lose control of the car.  If this happens damage to a vehicle could be great.

A sheet of ice can be extremely dangerous for motorists.  Many accidents occur from drivers slipping on ice.  Of course, the best thing you can do in this situation is to stay home.  However, if you must drive watch your speed and keep your distance from the vehicle in front of you.

Sometimes it is impossible to foresee poor road conditions.  All you can do is be careful and make sure you have road service that can help you in the case of an emergency.

Automakers have been redesigning vehicles so that they are stronger than ever.  They have achieved this by using lightweight materials, allowing cars to be more fuel-efficient. This technology makes vehicles more durable, cutting down on road service calls.  Also, it is saving numerous lives.

The only disadvantage to these new, stronger materials is that rescue workers are having a difficult time cutting into vehicles that are mangled from wrecks.

According to experts and rescue officials around the nation, vehicles designed with safety measures, such as reinforced steel, are creating a challenge for rescue workers to get motorists out of cars.

One answer to this problem is investing in rescue equipment that is better.  Heavy-duty cutters are necessary to release motorists.  A cutter such as this from Hurst costs approximately $25,000.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it is well worth the tradeoff of tougher cars because many lives are saved.  In fact, the rate of fatalities for passenger cars is lower than it has ever been in history.

A driver’s worst nightmare is to turn the key and have their car not start.  Sometimes your engine will turn over but for some reason the car just won’t start.  Do you know what to do if this happens to you? Of course you could call a mechanic or roadside assistance. However, there are three things you could check on your own first.  A car relies on air, fire and fuel.  If a car doesn’t get one or two of these vital ingredients, it won’t start.

The first thing that you should check is to make sure the car has gasoline.  If there is an adequate amount, the engine might have been flooded.  You can floor the gas pedal for around ten seconds, but be careful not to pump it while you are turning the ignition.  If the engine is still not starting, tap the carburetor close to the gas line.  This can free the line if the needle valve is stuck.

It is also important to check for broken or loose spark plug wires.  Make sure to do this with the engine off.  The wires that go from the distributor cap to the spark plugs should be secured down on the ends.

Now that you have checked for fuel and fire, we move on to an air check.  If you own a car with a carburetor, take off the top of the air filter and look at the choke plate.  If it appears stuck, open or close it.  Then jiggle the plate in order for it to move freely.

Checking the three main ingredients, air, fire and fuel are a great place to start if your car won’t turn over.  However, you may need a mechanic if you can’t find anything wrong.  You never know when your car might breakdown, which makes it is a necessity to have an auto warranty to protect you from costly repairs.

Many companies have offered ride-sharing sites on the Internet that help fill seats in people’s cars and conserve gas use and greenhouse gasses, however, Avego.com has the big advantage of being affiliated with iPhone.

This downloadable application lets motorists create a social network of vehicles and passengers who are traveling in the same direction.  In this way, its goal is to cut back on the safety concerns and anonymity of ride-sharing.  Rather than riding in a car with a complete stranger, this program tries to put people together and acquaint them in a more reliable way.

In addition, the program’s goal is to have an established network so that Avego users determine points for pickup and drop-off.  Yet, while the idea is certainly intriguing, it will need to be demonstrated in the real world before it will be determined if it is more successful than any other ride-sharing networks online.

Just keep in mind, it always feels safer to be in a car with passengers, but you still need a good roadside assistance program in case of breakdowns.  After all, you don’t want to be stranded on the side of the road, no matter how many people are there to help.

Modern vehicles are designed safer to survive accidents and keep passengers safe.  Virtually all automakers include emergency kits installed by the factory.  This is either due to competitive pressure or government regulations.  Most of the roadside kits include reflective markers, jumper cables, and flashlights.  These kits typically deal with mechanical and accident breakdowns.

Today’s automobiles endure unique conditions.  There is an increase in natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, fires, etc.  Other emergencies include major accidents, snowstorms, and mechanical breakdowns, which all leave motorists stranded.

This is why it is necessary to be prepared in an emergency situation.  Motorists need to have emergency kits, first aid kits, and most importantly, a roadside assistance program.  In any emergency, drivers are left vulnerable, and knowing that help is only a phone call away leaves drivers with peace of mind.  It is simple to take these precautions, and they can literally save your life.

After a car accident, it is as important to find the right auto body shop, as it is to find the right contractor for home repairs.  You can have your road service program tow your vehicle directly to the repair shop that you choose.

There are over 34,000 auto body shops in the nation, which makes choosing the right one confusing.

Insurance companies will often make recommendations, yet drivers are ultimately responsible for choosing the auto body repair shop.  To get the best result, motorists need to find a shop that is trustworthy and does quality work.

The National Auto Body Council and the CBBB have joined to offer consumers some much needed tips on choosing the right auto body shop, finding a deal on a rental car, and settling disputes.

To find a trustworthy repair shop, first inquire about the shop’s qualifications.  You can do this by asking questions about advanced technician training.  There are national organizations that you can find this out from such as I-CAR or ASE certification.

The average vehicle will be worked on for about two weeks, so you will need to find a rental car.  Many times the shop will make arrangements for you if you ask them, or for a few dollars a month you can have a rental covered under your insurance.

Finally, make sure you get everything in writing.  You need an estimate of the price of the repairs to be performed.  Also, reputable shops might offer a warranty on their work.

Do you find that you are apprehensive about negotiating with an auto dealer?  Shopping for a vehicle doesn’t have to be nerve-racking, however, you need to be aware of a few things that you shouldn’t say to a dealer.

First, you shouldn’t start talking about monthly payments, instead focus on negotiating the purchase price.  It can become confusing when you’re discussing monthly payments because it might be unclear whether the payment is for 24 or 36 months.

Don’t tell the dealer right away if you’re willing to trade-in your car.  If the dealer is aware of this he will know that you want to get as much money for your car as possible.  The dealer might agree to give you a lot for your trade-in, but usually it’s a smokescreen because then they will fix the price of the new car.

Don’t tell the dealer if you’re planning on paying for the car in cash.  They count on making a lot of money in financing, and if they know that they won’t be able to count on that money, chances are they won’t negotiate on the sticker price.

Do your homework before showing up at a dealership.  Be prepared with information about new car warranties, roadside assistance, financing, and vehicle prices.  This will help you negotiate a successful deal on a car.

Every year there are more than 10,000 vehicle accidents in the nation and approximately 450 people die as a result of the collision.  Many of these accidents can be avoided by having routine maintenance performed on your car.

The vehicle is by far the most popular means of transportation in the U.S.  In fact, 91% of adults in our country own, or have owned a car.

Before you hit the road again, check the following parts of your car to make sure that they are operating properly.

First, take a look at your tires.  Many people neglect to check their tires and end up with blowouts.  Make sure that your air levels are good.  You can reference your owner’s manual to find out what the right level should be.  Also, you want to make sure that there aren’t any leaks, low treads, or worn spots.

Next, change your windshield wipers about twice in a year.  Your windshield is actually one of the most important parts of your car because if you can’t see the road well you are in trouble.

Brakes should be monitored to make sure they are working correctly.  If your brake pedal is moving all the way down to the floor when you step on it, have your brakes looked at by a professional.  More recent cars have a warning system to let you know if your brakes aren’t operating correctly.

Maintenance can save you from a dangerous accident and calls for auto road service.  To save your wallet, make sure you have a good auto warranty that will keep you from paying unnecessary repair costs.  You don’t want to find yourself unprepared.