Can I Drive My Car After the Engine Overheats?

Posted on May 12, 2022 by admin

Many people assume that if you let the engine cool down, you can drive a car after it’s done overheating. But this is not always a good idea. In some cases, it’s not possible at all. Continue reading to learn what you should do if your car engine begins to overheat, including whether or not you can drive it home or to the auto shop.

Car Towing Indianapolis Indiana 317-247-8484

Overheating Car Engine Causes

Whether it is safe or not to drive a car after it has overheated largely depends on the underlying cause of the malfunction. Although there are several things that can go wrong within a vehicle that can cause the engine to overheat, there seems to be some more common reasons, like low coolant, clogged car radiator, faulty thermostat, broken fan belt, and defective cooling fan.

Low Coolant

A car can experience low coolant if the coolant has run out or the vehicle has a coolant leak. If you’re coolant simply runs out, it can cause your engine to overheat. If you have an extra bottle of radiator fluid or antifreeze in your car with you, you can simply fill your coolant backup and hit the road once again. Needing a refill on coolant is the only circumstance in which it is okay to drive your car after it has just overheated. In fact, it is recommended to always keep an extra bottle of radiator fluid, also known as coolant or antifreeze, in your car in case you ever run low, especially in the summer when the temperatures are higher, and engines run hotter.

If your car is experiencing a coolant leak, it is not recommended to simply top off the radiator fluid and continue driving. This can cause further damage to the internal components within your vehicle and engine. In this case, it would be recommended to have your vehicle towed home or to the automotive repair shop of your choice.

Defective Cooling Fan

The defective or faulty cooling fan is another common reason why car engines overheat. When a coolant fan isn’t working, it is typically because of a faulty electric fan or a bad radiator switch. Either way, it is not safe to drive a vehicle that is having problems with the cooling fan because it will continue to cause the engine to overheat.

Clogged Radiator

A clogged radiator is another common cause for an overheating car engine. However, this is typically common in older cars or cars with more than 50,000 miles driven.

Broken Fan Belt

A broken fan belt will also cause an engine to overheat in a vehicle. In most cases of a broken fan belt, there are other internal damages happening simultaneously. For this reason, it is not wise to drive a vehicle in this condition. Instead, have it towed home or to an auto repair shop for service.

Faulty Thermostat

A faulty thermostat is another common cause for overheating car engines. But engine gets hot, the thermostat is supposed to open in order to allow more coolant to flow through. If the thermostat is failing to open, the coolant cannot flow through the engine, and will eventually cause the engine to overheat. In this condition, it is not safe to drive a vehicle. You would need to have a towing service transport your vehicle to an auto repair shop of your choice.

Are you currently stuck on the side of the road with an overheating car engine in central Indiana? If so, contact Zore’s Indy at 317-247-8484 for prompt and affordable tow truck assistance in Indianapolis, Indiana. We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, including all National holidays.

Avoid Hitting Potholes With These Driving Tactics

Posted on December 20, 2021 by admin

Potholes are the worst; aren’t they? Especially the ones that seem to creep up out of nowhere. BANG! Your front tire hits the crater with no warning and your whole car feels like it suspends out of its structural boundaries. What follows is an anxiety-ridden drive to the side of the road, or home, to see if any damage has been done.

In the worst scenarios, vehicles experience immediate damage after suddenly diving into a pothole, from tire punctures and warped rims to exhaust system damage, suspension damage, and even engine damage. And now that the freeze-thaw cycles are in effect and potholes will continue to form all season, it is the right time to review your safe driving habits, and possible even a adopt a few more.

This strategy, plus the ones listed below, can help you avoid hitting potholes until the city repairs them again come spring!

24 Hour Roadside Assistance Service Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Safer Driving Habits Can Prevent Pothole Accidents

Stay Alert and Keep Your Eyes on the Road at All Times

Potholes seem to get us the most when we are least expecting it, which is why driving alertness is such a critical habit this time of year. By keeping your eyes on the road, and not on your phone, in your purse, or under the back seat, you can better dodge potholes and prevent serious vehicular damage.

Part of staying alert on the road is avoiding drowsy or fatigued driving. Be careful taking certain medications that can cause sleepiness, as this can reduce your alertness and awareness while driving. Impaired driving is another bad decision that can lead to serious vehicle damage or worse, bodily injury.

Keep a Safe Distance Between You and the Car in Front of You

In drivers’ education, they teach students to keep at least one car lengths distance between you and the car in front of you. Well, this principal teaching point remains pertinent no matter how many years you have been a licensed driver.

During peak pothole season, one car lengths distance is the least amount of distance you should be keeping around you while driving. To divert potholes, you must be able to see them well in advance. If the cars in front of you are too close, you will not have enough time to defensively react to a pothole.

Maintain a Reasonable Speed

Many people will tell you that swerving to hit a pothole is a dangerous reaction, and they would be telling you the truth. Swerving to miss a pothole can put you and your passengers, as well as other drivers on the road, at risk of a serious collision. It can also cause you to lose control of the vehicle, especially in slick or wet conditions.

In order to avoid swerving when attempting to avoid potholes, maintain a reasonable driving speed at all times. Not only should you obey the set speed limit, but you should also slow down a bit more on roads that are known to be bumpy or old.

Has a pothole caused you some tire or suspension damage, and now you are stuck on the side of the road? Not to worry! Just contact Zore’s Indy at 317-247-8484 for 24 hour roadside assistance and towing in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve all of Central Indiana with prompt service.

Zores Inc. Indianapolis Indiana — Zore’s Inc. 317-247-8484

The 3 Worst Things You Can Do When Your Car is Overheating

Posted on September 17, 2019 by admin

An overheating car could be caused by a variety of reasons. It could be a broken radiator, a kinked radiator hose, a faulty thermostat, and maybe even a lack of coolant. There are many more reasons as well. No matter what the cause, if you are ever in a similar situation, there are three major things you should never do when your car is overheating.

24 Hour Indianapolis Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

❶ Do Not Continue Driving

When you first notice that your vehicle is overheating, it is crucial to pull over and stop the car immediately. An overheating car should never be driven. This can be very dangerous. Wait until your car is entirely cooled down before starting the engine again.

❷ Never Check the Radiator Fluid

Checking your fluid levels in your radiator when the car is overheating is simply asking for trouble. It can be extremely dangerous. There is a lot of pressure built up beneath the radiator cap. Boiling hot fluids and steam can shoot out at high speeds, potentially burning and injuring anyone in its path. Determine whether or not you are on an inline for accurate fluid readings. If the car is not level, the fluids cannot be level.

❸ Never Use Cold Water on a Hot Engine

When a car’s engine has overheated, do not put cold water in the vehicle. Not only can this damage the engine block and cause it to crack, it can lead to other severe auto damages and costly repairs. Let a car cool down completely, as mentioned earlier, before tending to an overheated engine.

Here’s What To Do When Your Car Overheats:

➀ Pull Over Immediately
➁ Place Vehicle in Park
➂ Turn Off Engine
➃ Remove Keys from Ignition and Place in Pocket
➄ Walk Off a Busy Road
➅ Find a Safe Location to Wait for Help
➆ Contact 24 Hour Roadside Assistance

Get Indianapolis Roadside Assistance, ANYTIME

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for affordable Indianapolis towing and roadside assistance services in you can trust. 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.

Zore’s Inc. Offers Many Roadside Services Other Than Towing

Posted on March 28, 2019 by admin

Whether you need a flat tire fixed, your fuel filled up, or your truck pulled out of a ditch, our fleet of state-of-the-art trucks and team of skilled wrecker operators have your roadside and towing needs covered! Best of all, as a family owned and operated business that has served the surrounding Hoosier communities for more than 80 years, we remain dedicated to maintaining economy-based prices on all our services!

Continue below to learn what we can do for you, and even your commercial property!

Zore's Inc. 317-247-8484 — Zore’s Inc. 317-247-8484

A Leader in Wrecker and Roadside Service

Did you know that Zore’s Inc. is our city’s leading towing and recovery company? We have been serving the Indy communities for over 80 years! We tow everything from airplanes to semi-trucks, and of course, cars, buses, vans, and more. Along with our fantastic towing amenities, Zore’s offers many other professional services too! Don’t miss out an all the convenient services Zore’s Inc. can do for you!

Serving Our Community for 8 Decades

We are proud to say that we are more than just a standard towing company; we are an all-around auto service business. Along with towing, we offer a wide range of specialized community services and amenities for all of Central Indiana, including recovery, roadside assistance, property management, new and used auto parts, metal recycling services, cash for junk cars, auto body repair, auto salvaging, auto auctions, and much more!

You can count on us to respond in a moment’s notice as we operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. We are even open and operational on National holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Why Choose Us?

Here at Zore’s, we are deeply committed to providing the highest standards of excellence in terms of professionalism, service, and support for our clients and surrounding communities. Ensuring your complete satisfaction and safety is our top-priority, which is why we work around the clock to continually improve our skills and resources in order to better serve our surrounding Hoosier communities. And our dedication to the betterment of our communities keeps our drive strong.

Contact Us for a Free Estimate!

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for 24 hour tow truck roadside assistance, auto auctions, body shop, and more 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. Request a free estimate, anytime.

Which Type of Trailer Hitch Do I Need to Tow a Small Fishing Boat With a Standard-Sized Car?

Posted on August 29, 2016 by admin

Indianapolis Towing and Recovery 317-247-8484

As summer comes to an abrupt end, people scramble to indulge in all the outdoor activities they can before colder weather is upon us. And one of the most popular outdoor activities there is to enjoy here in Indiana is fishing! Fishing is a common activity because it is inexpensive, family-friendly, and easy for people of all ages to do. But mostly, people go fishing because it’s just fun!

Whether you are aiming for catfish, blue gill, or bass, Hoosiers know you get the best results fishing on a boat. In order to get your fishing boat to your lake or river of choice, you must have the proper towing system for your car. Continue reading to learn the recommended hitch set-up for towing a fishing boat with a small to mid-sized car.

Towing a Trailer

A fishing boat and trailer combined will usually have a gross trailer weight (GTW) under two tons. So to safely (and legally) tow a loaded trailer weighing up to 2,000 pounds, you need 5 primary components. This includes a trailer hitch receiver, a ball mount, a hitch ball, a pin and clip, and a wiring harness. The hitch receiver is the part that attaches to your car’s bumper and accepts the removable ball mount. It comes as an open-faced receiver or fixed tongue model. The ball mount, also called a “drawbar”, inserts into the trailer hitch receiver’s frontward-facing opening, proving a platform for mounting the hitch ball. The pin and clip holds the ball mount inside the trailer hitch receiver, while the wiring harness provides power and synchronizes signals to the trailer’s lights.

Choosing a Hitch

Below is a guide to which hitch-type you will need to tow a small fishing boat with a compact or mid-sized car depending on the length of your towing trailer.

HITCH TYPE = Regular Duty
HITCH CLASS = Class 1
GTW = Up to 2,000 lbs.
TONGUE WEIGHT = 200 lbs.
TRANSMISSION COOLER = Light Duty

For trailers up to 6 feet: Class 1 Fixed Tongue
For trailers up to 14 feet: Class 1 Receiver Hitch

Additional Towing Accessories

Wiring harnesses are required by law, so be sure to never skip this step. And although not necessary to actually tow a trailer, safety chains are also strongly encouraged and should always be used. You might also consider adding on an aftermarket transmission cooler to help your car maintain safe operating temperatures while towing a load. These are especially useful in hot climates. Sometimes, factory transmission coolers are inadequate for certain towing applications.

Indianapolis Towing and Recovery

Towing and Recovery 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 when you need fast roadside assistance or tow truck service in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. We have been a family owned and operated business since 1975, and maintain an unparalleled reputation for quality service and value. If you have questions about towing a fishing boat, or need help recovering one from a lake, we are the professionals to call for prompt and friendly assistance. Contact our office directly at 317-247-8484 to learn more about our 24 hour towing and recovery services, today.

Drivers Beware of Common Towing Mistakes

Posted on February 8, 2016 by admin

Indianapolis Towing and Recovery 317-247-8484

No matter what type of tow you have planned, it is vital to beware of the most common towing mistakes made, and how to avoid them at all costs. Road trippers, RV owners, trailer hitchers, and more should all be well-versed in towing regulations, laws, and practices.

Continue reading to learn the most common towing mistakes seen on the road, and how to properly navigate around potential towing problems and more.

Failure to Know Tow Ratings

Each vehicle has a certain towing capacity and limit. Depending on the make, model, and towing accessories you own, your vehicle’s towing ability will differ from others. Overloading your car or truck is a very dangerous situation because it can lead to serious problems; such as brake failure, overheating transmission, lost trailer connections, broken hitches, busted suspension, and much more. These circumstances can lead to serious and even fatal motor vehicle accidents. The responsible tower always knows his or her tow ratings. These ratings will allow you to determine if your hitch system matches your vehicle’s towing specs. All numbers must be checked, double checked, and entirely complied with at all times. Look at the vehicle’s owners’ manual, inside the driver’s side door, or online for these specifications and towing guidelines.

Failure to Acknowledge Local Towing Regulations

Towing laws, regulations, and restrictions differ state to state; so before leaving on your next road trip, be sure to research the towing laws for each state you intend to pass through. Otherwise, you can expect to get pulled over and issued a ticket. Things like towing speeds, trailer lights, safety chains, and braking equipment are regulations known to exist in certain states.

Improper Cargo Loading

Improperly loading your cargo you intend to tow is a very dangerous situation for yourself, your passengers, other drivers, pedestrians, your vehicle, and much more. This situation can lead to a load of chaos. An off-balance trailer is almost impossible to navigate and control. This puts other drivers, vehicles, and property at risk of a collision. Cargo must be loaded properly, and weight-distribution needs to be even at all times.

Forgetting Trailer Insurance

One big mistake many novice towers make is failing to purchase proper insurance coverage for their trailer. If your vehicle is insured, it doesn’t mean that your trailer is, so it is important to contact your insurance provider to see if you have adequate insurance coverage for your tow. All you really need is basic liability coverage for a trailer; a very affordable policy.

Zore’s Inc.

Zore’s Indy 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for prompt and professional towing service in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can get a fast, friendly, and affordable tow, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week when you call our licensed tow truck operators! On top of fast and affordable towing services, we also hold weekly auto auctions, pay cash for junk cars, recycle scrap metal, and much more! Call 317-247-8484 for information about Indianapolis towing and recovery services you can trust.

What Do I Do If My Car is Towed?

Posted on May 26, 2015 by admin

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

It’s a repetitive scenario faced by hundreds of Hoosiers every single day. A person parks their vehicle, gets out of their vehicle, and then comes back to their vehicle, but it’s gone. Now sometimes this is because their vehicle has been stolen; but as for the remaining 95% of missing cars in Indiana, towing is the actual reason. Cars and trucks are towed every day for several reasons, but mostly for illegal parking and repossessions.

Other reasons a car or truck might be towed away include prolonged abandonment, expired plates, suspended license, unpaid parking tickets, unpaid traffic fines, unregistered vehicles, and other violations of the law. So if you are ever one of the many drivers whose vehicles go missing one day, don’t panic. Instead, follow the simple three-step guide for what to do is your vehicle is towed in Indiana. Continue reading to review these three steps, and who to call for exceptional and friendly towing services or roadside assistance in your neighborhood.

Car Towed in Indianapolis

As soon as you are aware that your car or truck is no longer in the same spot you parked it in before, it is important to relax and take a deep breath, and then review your surroundings. Double check that you didn’t park somewhere else and forgot. If you are sure that your car was parked in a certain spot and is no longer there, always assume it has been towed, not stolen. For this reason, it is best to follow the next three steps to locate your vehicle.

First Step

As mentioned, never first assume that your car or truck was stolen. It is far more likely that it was towed for some reason or another. With this assumption, the first step to take once you are aware you vehicle is missing is to investigate the parking lot, road, or area for signs. And when we say signs, we mean actual street signs that indicate parking regulations. These signs are generally red and white (may vary from county to county) and contain information on parking rules and regulations for that particular parking district. It should contain times and days that parking is permitted, as well as, the contact information of the towing company that manages the lot or road. To find these signs, look at sides of buildings, poles, posts, and gates.

Second Step

Acquire the contact information of the local towing company assigned to the parking district your vehicle was parked in, and call the number listed. A receptionist or company representative will answer and ask you for some information. Be prepared to provide your name, vehicle make and model, your phone number, and the location your vehicle was parked at. If your car was towed for illegal parking purposes, then they should have it. If they do not have any record of your vehicle, then you may need to make some other considerations.

If you are leasing your vehicle and making monthly installments, it is still possible your car or truck was towed, but not by the parking district towing company. A leased vehicle can be repossessed by the dealership or bank for failing to make payments on time. Call your dealership and provide them the same information given above. If they too have no record of your vehicle being towed or repossessed, then it may have been stolen. At this time, you need to call the police to file a report.

Third Step

If you have made it to this step, it means you have contacted the towing company and received confirmation that it was indeed towed for illegal parking purposes. Now you need to locate all the necessary legal documents to prove ownership of the vehicle, and present these documents, as well as a cash fine in the amount requested by the company (anywhere from $100 to $500 usually), to regain custody of your vehicle. Documents include the vehicle’s title and registration (must be in your name), proof of insurance, your driver’s license, and perhaps more depending on the county and tow company. Get a ride to the tow yard and present these documents and payments and the car is yours again! Keep in mind that fees increase by the day. So the longer it is in the tow yard, the more costly it is to get it out.

Zore’s Indy

Zore’s Inc. Indianapolis Indiana 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for all your Indianapolis towing needs. We are highly trained and licensed tow truck operators with decades of experience in the industry. Zore’s Inc. has provided quality towing services and more for over 75 years! Call 317-247-8484 for prompt, professional, and affordable tow truck services in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding counties.

Tips for Safe Towing

Posted on December 30, 2014 by admin

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

No matter what it is you need to tow, it is vital to know how to do it safely. Towing safety should be your number one priority when it comes to towing a vehicle, watercraft, motorcycle, or any other load. Not only can you jeopardize your own safety and the safety of your load, you can put other drivers in danger with poor towing practices. Be sure to read all manufacturers’ instructions for towing hitches, safety chains, sway bars, and all other parts and components of your towing equipment.

Then be sure to practice in an open and empty lot, several times, before heading out on the open road. Turning and other driving maneuvers are different when hauling a trailer. For example, when backing up, the trailer turns in the opposite direction. Practice and knowledge are your best defense as far as safe towing goes. It is equally important to obey all traffic signals and road rules, and maintain a lower speed when towing a load. Continue reading to learn some principle safety tips for towing, as well as, who to call for a professional tow in your neighborhood.

Towing Guidelines

The first 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. 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.

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

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. A bumper cannot withstand or hold the weight of a trailer or load. Attaching chains to a bumper can lead to major vehicular damage and put other drivers in serious danger. 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.

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. The truck or car and the trailer lights should all be in sync with each other. This is the law and you will be pulled over, sited, and fined for failure to have working lights on your vehicles.

Zore’s Indy

Wrecker Services Indianapolis Indiana 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s at 317-247-8484 for professional towing services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are long-time veterans in the towing industry, and can provide a wide variety of towing services for anything and everything! Airplanes, recovery jobs, buses, boats, mobile homes, semi-trucks, and construction equipment are just a few examples of the towing services we offer. Call 317-247-8484 for prompt and professional towing in Indianapolis you can afford.