As a towing company, we are here for you. However, we have had to tow several clients over the years when they could have easily avoided the situation. Nothing is worse than having to tow a car due to preventative mistakes, so we thought it was about time to list some ways to avoid having to use our services unless it is an emergency!
Regular maintenance
Yes, you need to follow your manufactures regular maintenance schedule, or you are going to have an expensive day eventually. Maintenance of your vehicle is not pleasant to complete, but it is a necessity. Engines work hard and need to be tuned up, and oil needs to be changed. From regular maintenance to suggested maintenance throughout your car’s life, these small jobs will help extend your car’s life and avoid costly breakdowns that happen. If you do not know when or what needs to be maintained, take a look at the owner’s manual, or google your car. There is a wealth of information out there; it is up to you to do it!
Check the tire pressure.
If you do not live in a winter state and have the ability to keep the same tires year-round, it is a good idea to check your tire pressure ever so often. Yes, most modern cars have sensors that will give you a head’s up if things are getting low, but sometimes these sensors malfunction. A good rule of thumb is to check your tire pressure before any long-distance trip or once every month or so. If you notice it getting a little low, give your tires some air. Low tire pressure can cause undue wear on the tires, axels, and engine, and it is so easy to avoid!
Do a walkaround once every couple of weeks.
A walkaround of your vehicle can help you identify any significant damage or minor issues you might need to pay attention to over the next few weeks. Things such as rust, chips or loose parts will be noticeable and allow you to get it to a mechanic before things get worse. Nothing is worse than an exhaust system that is rusting falling off. Not only do you need a tow, but the job will be thousands instead of hundreds of dollars to fix. Simple spots and checks can help prevent this and extend the life of your vehicle.
Pay attention to strange sounds!
You know how your car sounds when it is running well, and a strange sound is not typical. If you are heading a clunk, scraping or anything else, make sure to monitor and even figure out what is happening. This way, you can get it dealt with before it damages your engine or body any further and avoid massive bills to fix it later on.
Keeping your car healthy and running well is not complicated, but it does take some work. It is a machine, and machines need to be calibrated over their lifetime. Thus, if you do a little extra work, you will be able to extend the life of your vehicle by months, if not years, down the line.
Hi there! My husband just bought a car last week for his daily commute to work and he wants to be well-prepared in case something happens on the road. When you mentioned that regular inspection towards tire pressure is something we should always remember, it really enlightened me. I’ll forward this article to him so he’ll get in touch with a professional if needed later.
I loved your suggestions on how to avoid some unnecessary tows including doing a walkaround to help find any issues that might worsen over a few weeks. Sometimes, however, things happen without any notice. We are looking for a towing company we can trust since we moved into a new area. When things happen unexpectedly it is good to have one.