Winter Automotive Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid

When it comes to taking care of your vehicle in the winter, not much is different from the usual year-round recommended maintenance list. However, because winter weather can pose more hazardous conditions, you want to make sure your vehicle won’t leave you stranded on the side of the road. This is especially important for teen and elderly drivers.

Continue reading to learn how to prevent dangerous automotive malfunctions, breakdowns, and roadside emergencies this winter.

24 hour Tow Truck Assistance 317-247-8484
24 hour Tow Truck Assistance 317-247-8484

Proper Automotive Maintenance

There are some critical areas that stand out as major overlooks in terms of poor winter car maintenance. These mistakes will lead you on a path of breakdowns, poor performance, and costly repair bills. Although there are several things you can do on your own to care for your ride, there are some tasks that require the skill and equipment of a professional automotive technician.

Failing to have your vehicle serviced regularly, or at least on time per year, is the perfect recipe for disaster. It is one of the most common reasons why cars breakdown unexpectedly, and drivers face outrageous repair bills for something that started out as a small issues 9 months ago. Be sure to check your owners’ manual for your vehicle’s recommended factory maintenance schedule.

Common Mistakes That Can Lead to unsafe Roadside Emergencies:

⚠ Ignore Brake Problems

A little squeal here and there isn’t anything to worry about; right? Wrong. If this is what you have told yourself in the past, it’s time to learn the truth about car brake maintenance. Keep in mind that you are operating a 5 ton moving weapon, and without reliable and functional brakes, you have no control over it. Brakes are one of the most vital components of a vehicle in terms of safety; safety for yourself and for others. So if you neglect a problem with your brakes, it can turn into a costly, or worse, deadly error. As soon as you notice a change in your braking system, contact a licensed mechanic for an inspection.

⚠ Forget Antifreeze

They call it “anti-freeze” for a reason! Freezing temperatures can cause all the vital fluids in your vehicle to freeze, so using antifreeze in the radiator can prevent this from happening. In the wintertime, drivers often forget to add more antifreeze to the radiator, resulting in a car that won’t start. When it’s cold, your vehicle’s cooling system requires this important fluid in order to function properly.

⚠ Skip an Oil Change

It is important to keep your engine running smoothly at all times; but in the winter, your engine requires a bit more “TLC” than it would normally. For this reason, it is strongly recommended to get a wintertime oil change, to ensure your motor is performing optimally, and won’t surprise you with an unexpected breakdown 3 months from now.

⚠ Neglect Tires

Many drivers do not realize that tires lose pressure in the summer as a result of dry climate and hot weather. So by this time of year, most tires are in need of some attention. In addition to keeping your car tires properly inflated, you need to also ensure that your tires are properly aligned and balanced, and retain proper tread for adequate road traction. Factory scheduled maintenance covers this service, which should be implemented at least once per year, as mentioned.

How to Prepare for Roadside Emergencies

It is strongly recommended to keep a quality emergency roadside assistance kit in your car at all times in the case that your vehicle experiences some unexpected operational problems this winter. It is also encouraged to call for help in the case of a vehicular emergency, especially in inclement weather like snow, blizzards, and freezing temperatures. Professional towing companies offer reputable and affordable roadside assistance services 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Call them if you are ever stranded on the side of the road due to a vehicular malfunction.

Get 24 Hour Roadside Assistance in Indianapolis

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for affordable Indianapolis towing and roadside assistance services if your car breaks down unexpectedly. Our licensed and insured wrecker operators provide punctual and prompt tow truck services throughout all of Central Indiana, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week! We also provide a wide range of municipal services, roadside wrecker and recovery services, and much more. Request a free estimate, anytime.

4 Ways to Get Better Gas Mileage Out of Your Car

The fuel prices today are simply depressing. Does it really cost almost four dollars for one tank of gas? For people who are on a tight budget, keeping a fuel tank full can be troubling. Worry not, because there are a few solutions to getting better gas mileage on a daily basis. Not only can this help you save money and gas, it can also benefit the environment at the same time!

Continue reading to learn these tips and tricks to getting better gas mileage, no matter what type of vehicle you drive.

Indianapolis Towing and Roadside Assistance
Indianapolis Towing and Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

❶ Tire Pressure

Surprisingly, the amount of pressure you have in your tires can influence the amount of gasoline consumption. This is because low tire pressure forces a car to exert more energy and work harder to get from one place to the next. This uses a lot of fuel.  Be sure to check your tires on a monthly basis, and do not let radial tires trick you. They can sometimes look completely inflated, but actually be low on pressure.

❷ Auto AC Usage

It is hard to not always blast your vehicle’s AC on a scorching hot summer’s day. Unfortunately, the frequent use of a car’s air conditioner uses a lot of fuel. Try to roll down windows and keep a cool drink in your cup holder. These are ways you can avoid using too much AC and wasting all your fuel. Also, try parking in shady areas to keep the car cool when not in use.

❸ Driving Habits and Patience

Quick stops and sudden starts is often referred to as jackrabbit driving. Aggressive and abrupt driving habits can not only use up a lot of fuel, it can potentially damage your vehicle. If this describes your style of driving, try to slow down in the future. Relaxed driving keeps your car at a comfortable status and reduces the amount times you have to fill up.

❹ Routine Car Maintenance

Having your car in optimal condition drastically improves the amount of miles it gets per gallon of gas.  This includes oil changes, tire rotations, brake services, engine cleanings, tune-ups, and much more.  Keeping your car in a condition that it can perform at its best reduces the amount of work the engine has to do to operate the vehicle. Factory scheduled maintenance is crucial for any vehicle you own. It has a huge influence on how long your vehicle will survive and how fast it uses its fuel.

24 Hour Roadside Assistance and Towing

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for 24 hour tow truck roadside assistance in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are a family owned and operated company with more than 75 years in business here in Indiana! We offer a wide range of services for Hoosiers, including roadside assistance, scrap metal recycling, cash for junk cars, towing and recovery, storm damage, traffic clearance, and much more.

Important Tips for Being a Safer Tower

Perhaps you have been towing trailers and boats for a long time. But even as a veteran, there are still some ways you can improve your towing skills, and thus, be a safer tower. Continue reading to review some of the basic rules for towing safety, and test yourself to see if you are being as safe as you can on the road.

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Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Use the Proper Set Up

The most important tip for towing is to use the right towing set-up. This means matching the load weight with the right capacity trailer hitch, and using the right type of vehicle for the tow. There is a reason why towing capacity exists. There are several consequences to ignoring a vehicle’s towing limit. This includes safety hazards, mechanical damages, and more. The most dangerous, and common, consequence to exceeding a vehicle’s towing capacity is losing the ability to brake. So be sure your car or truck is capable of towing the weight you need to haul. If you need to tow loads up to three thousand pounds, then be sure to purchase a vehicle that can tow that weight.

Safety Chains are Not Optional

One rule to always get right is to use safety chains, and good quality ones that are in good condition. Follow all the instructions laid out in the manufacturer’s manual for assembly and operation. Safety chains are not an option, they have to be used for any type of tow. They should cross in both directions underneath the trailer tongue. This way, if it detaches from the tongue, the hitch will not drop the load. Safety chains should never be attached to a bumper under any circumstances. There should also be enough slack in the chains for turning, but not so much that they drag on the ground. This is a commonly overlooked detail when assembling safety chains for a tow.

Always Double Check Your Lights

Before taking off on the road, always check the lights on the car or truck, as well as, the trailer. Be sure the brake lights are working, the flashers are functional, and the tail lights all work. Most importantly, the lights of the towing vehicle and the vehicle being towed are all in sync with each other. This is actually required by law and you will be pulled over, sited, and fined for failure to have working lights on your vehicles. For this reason, it is also important to know your towing laws, especially since they can change at any time. See our blog, “Know Your Boat Trailer Laws” just to be sure you are up to speed.

Know When You Need Help

Safe towing truly requires experience and practice. There are so many potential dangers and complications that can arise during a tow, so you can never have too much practice. But if you are ever in doubt about a certain tow, or do not feel confident that you can manage it on your own, it is strongly encouraged to consult a professional for advice or assistance. A licensed Indianapolis towing company can tell you whether or not your vehicle meets the tow capacity for your haul, give you professional advice, and even provide the tow service for you.

Indianapolis Towing and Roadside Assistance

Indianapolis Auto Body Shop 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Auto Body Shop 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for 24 hour tow truck roadside assistance in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are a family owned and operated company with more than 75 years in business here in Indiana! We offer a wide range of services for Hoosiers, including roadside assistance, scrap metal recycling, cash for junk cars, towing and recovery, storm damage, traffic clearance, and much more. Call 317-247-8484 to request a free estimate, anytime.

When to Get an Oil Change for Your Vehicle

When it comes to caring for your vehicle, routine and regular scheduled maintenance are among the most vital necessities. In order to sustain the value and performance of your vehicle, consistent oil changes, tune ups, tire rotations, and other factory scheduled services are required.

Continue reading to learn the importance of oil changes and when you should get your vehicle’s oil changed.

Indianapolis Towing and Roadside Assistance

Indianapolis Towing and Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

The Importance of Oil Changes

Cars, trucks, and other vehicles have different requirements when it comes to oil changes. Depending on the make or model of the vehicle, oil change frequencies will differ. Typically, we measure the length of time between scheduled auto services in distances. For example, most manufacturers suggest cars should have their oil changed every 3000 to 5000 miles, depending on the make and model.

Size and vehicle type also influence the rate of which a person should have their oil changed. For instance, diesel engines will have a contrasting oil change schedule compared to a gasoline fuel engine. Larger engines and vehicles burn more fuel, which may require them to have the oil changed more often. Small gasoline-fueled engines get better fuel mileage, resulting in less frequent routine maintenance.

Refer to the Owners’ Manual

The best way to accurately determine how often you need to change your vehicle’s oil is to refer to the owners’ manual for manufacturer recommendations. If you can’t find your owner’s manual, you can download a version for your make and model vehicle, online. You can also consult with a professional auto repair technician for professional advice.

Maintaining a Safe and Functional Vehicle

Nonetheless, understanding the importance of oil changes, and staying on top of factory maintenance, are vital factors to preserving the integrity and safety of your vehicle. Without routine oil changes, you could find yourself stranded on the side of the road with an overheating engine!

24 Hour Towing and Roadside Assistance in Indy

Zore's Inc. 317-247-8484

Zore’s Inc. 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for 24 hour tow truck roadside assistance in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are a family owned and operated company with more than 75 years in business here in Indiana! We offer a wide range of services for Hoosiers, including roadside assistance, scrap metal recycling, cash for junk cars, towing and recovery, storm damage, traffic clearance, and much more. Call 317-247-8484 to request a free estimate, anytime.