FAQS About Cars Getting Towed

When it comes to towing, drivers and lot owners have millions of questions. Some of the most frequently asked questions are listed below. Review them to see if your questions are answered here. If not, contact a local wrecker company for professional advice and information you can trust.

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Indianapolis Indiana Tow Truck Service 317-247-8484

Frequently Asked Questions About Cars That Get Towed

What Do I Do If Someone is Parking in My Private Parking Spot?

You have a couple options here. You can either have the vehicle towed, or you can contact the company that owns the parking spaces and talk to an office manager or representative.  They can typically have someone tag the car, or give the person a warning to not park in that spot anymore.

If you want to call a tow truck, refer to your parking lot’s company.  They will usually have signs hung or posted in and around the parking lot with instructions on how to contact them.  They may have a tow service that performs these private jobs for them full-time. 

If they do not, call a local tow company and give them the information you have about the vehicle in question.  They can even look into your parking lot’s jurisdiction and see if there is a tow company already assign to that area.  If you do call a tow truck, the person will have to pay a fine to reclaim their vehicle from the lot or impound.

How Long Before a Car is Towed after it Breaks Down?

The amount of time a vehicle sits before being declared “abandoned” by authorities and towed away depends on where the car breaks down. If a car breaks down on public property, like a public parking lot, the police can legally tow it after it has been registered as an abandoned vehicle. 

In the state of Indiana, if a car is left unattended for more than 30 days, and is never reported stolen, it is labeled “abandoned.” If a vehicle breaks down on private property, there is very little time before it will be towed. As long as the tow company has written authorization from the property owner or police, it can be towed immediately.

What Should I Do if My Car Breaks Down on the Road?

If your car breaks down on the road, coast along the shoulder of the road and slowly come to a complete stop out of the way of traffic.  It is very dangerous to get out of your car on a busy highway, so remain inside until help arrives. You may contact a friend or family member, or you can contact a local roadside assistance towing company for prompt and professional help. They operate 24 hours a day and should be available to help you. You may have to wait an hour or two, but they will arrive to get you back on the road.

What Should I Do if My Car Has Just Been Towed?

First, look for a sign in the parking lot, or near the parking spot, that contains the tow company information.  These signs are usually rectangular in shape and white.  They have the contact information of the assigned tow company that handles the towing for that parking lot.  Just call the number and talk to the receptionist. They will check their inventory and see if your particular vehicle is in their possession.  If it is, they will give you directions on how to get to their establishment. 

Do you have more towing questions that need answered? Contact Zore’s Indy at 317-247-8484 to learn about property management towing, tow truck assistance, and towing and recovery services in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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

Car Towing FAQS You Need to Know Before Driving Off

Towing a car is not something just anyone can do. It requires a high level of responsibility, liability, proper licensing, and most importantly, training. Training includes both learning the proper practices for car towing, as well as, practicing in a safe environment. Before you pull out of your driveway and hit the road with your car towed behind you, be sure you catch up on the facts you should know.

Continue reading to review some frequently asked questions about towing a car.

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484
Indianapolis Towing Pros 317-247-8484

How Do I Tow a Car Safely?

When it comes to towing a car or truck, it is crucial to know what type of tow hitch you’ll need.  Depending on your vehicle’s tow capacity and the size and weight of the vehicle you need to tow, tow hitch and gear will differ.  Be sure to know your car or truck’s tow capacity for safe towing.  Do not attempt to tow something that weighs more than your car or truck.  This is exceeding your tow capacity and will quickly damage or break the vehicle’s drive train.

Here are a list of some important tips for towing a car safely:

✅ NEVER EXCEED THE TOW CAPACITY

✅ USE THE CORRECT TOW HITCH

✅ ALWAYS SYNCHRONIZE BREAK LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS

✅ BE SURE FOG LIGHTS, FLASHERS, AND HEADLIGHTS WORK

✅ USE THE PROPER SAFETY CHAINS

✅ NEVER TIE SAFETY CHAINS TO A BUMPER

✅ PRACTICE STEERING BEFORE USING INTERSTATE ROADWAYS

✅ ANTICIPATE STOPS BY BRAKING EARLY

✅ DO NOT BRAKE SUDDENLY OR TURN ABRUPTLY

✅ DOUBLE CHECK HITCH AND CHAIN CONNECTION

✅ AVOID TOWING IN BAD OR WET WEATHER

✅ ASK A AN EXPERIENCED TOWER FOR HELPFUL ADVICE

How Do I Find My Vehicle’s Towing Capacity?

It is vital to know and understand the weight capacity of your towing vehicle in order to prevent damage and serious accidents. Generally speaking, the heavier your vehicle is, the larger the load it can haul.  In contrast, if you have a lighter vehicle, it will only be able to haul light loads.  You must then check with the vehicle’s owners’ manual to see how much weight your make and model vehicle can tow, and compare that with the total combined weight you need to tow. If the total combined weight exceeds the recommended towing capacity, you cannot safely tow with that vehicle. You must either reduce the weight of the cargo and vessel, or get a towing vehicle with a higher towing capacity.

Is the Right Tow Hitch Really Necessary?

The tow hitch is one of the most important components to towing any sort of load, large or small. The proper hitch can mean the difference between a stress-free trip, and a dangerous disaster. Using the right tow hitch for your needs not only ensures safety for yourself and other drivers, it ensure safety of the freight you intend to carry or haul. Appropriate tow hitch use also ensures an easier ride with less pulling and reduced stress to your truck or vehicle.

What Should I Do if I Cannot Tow My Car?

It truly requires experience and practice to tow a car safely. There are so many potential dangers and complications that can arise during a tow. If you have any doubt or insecurities about towing a car, then please call a professional for advice. They can tell you whether or not your vehicle meets tow capacity for your haul and give you professional assistance if you require it. Be sure to use a licensed and reputable towing company for safe, affordable, and protected tow services.

Who Do I Call for 24 Hour Towing Service in Central Indiana?

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for affordable Indiana towing and recovery assistance 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.

Should I Call a Tow Truck if My Check Engine Light Comes On?

It’s happened to almost all of us before; we get into our cars, turn the ignition, and there it is, blinking vigorously or blaring with a constant glow. We are talking about check engine lights! What should you do when you notice your check engine light is on? Should you call a tow truck to have it transported to your local mechanic? Or is your car still safe to drive for a while? These are all common questions asked by car owners and drivers when their check engine lights illuminate. So, what are the answers to these questions?

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about check engine light causes and recommended courses of action.

Indianapolis Towing
Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Check Engine Light Basics

Check engine lights are also known as malfunctioning indicator lamps (MIL). When ones lights up, it could mean several different things, from very small and self-fixable, to very serious and costly to repair. For these reasons, it is quite necessary to have your vehicle inspected by a professional automotive repair company as soon as your check engine light comes on. After all, that is the message it is sending to you! It’s telling you to have your engine checked!

A professional auto shop will use modern technologies and diagnostic equipment to read the code for a check engine light. But if you ignore a check engine light, you could be setting yourself up for future complications and costly repairs. Not only can an ignored check engine light lead to expensive car repairs, it can put your safety, your passenger’s safety, and the safety of other drivers in jeopardy.

Here are some of the most common reasons why check engine lights turn on:

➣ Flooded or Wet Engine
➣ Pinched or Worn-Out Fuel Injection Rings
➣ Deteriorated Spark Plugs
➣ Defective Oxygen (O2) Censors
➣ A Blown Gasket Head
➣ Cracked Manifold
➣ Loose Hose
➣ Residue Buildup on Exhaust Valves
➣ Electrical Problems

Should You Drive or Should You Get a Tow?

So, should you drive it to your auto shop, or have it towed? The answer is not so clear cut. If your check engine light comes on in the middle of a road trip, and you are far away from a town, it is wise to contact a towing company so that you do not over-drive your vehicle when there is a mechanical problem. On the other hand, if your check engine light comes on, and you are close to an auto shop, you can likely drive it there without doing any further damage. Overall, the choice is yours. It is recommended to never drive when a check engine light is on, but as mentioned, in some cases, you can make it to a nearby location.

24 Hour Roadside Assistance and Towing in Central Indiana

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for 24 hour towing and recovery, as well as 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.

Tips for Towing Uphill and Downhill

Indianapolis Towing and Recovery 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing and Recovery 317-247-8484

It is critical to practice safe driving when towing a trailer. This is because trailers can add a substantial amount of length and weight to your whole operation, and can change the way your vehicle handles. Couple in complicated variables like hills, inclines, and declines, and you have even more to think about. But with a little knowledge and a lot of practice, you can minimize your chances for an accident and increase your confidence in towing altogether.

Continue reading for some helpful towing advice that will give you the know-how you need to manage hills, declines, and inclines.

Hills and Inclines

More stress is placed on your vehicles brakes, transmission, suspension, and engine as more weight is added to its load. For this reason, inclines and downgrades can be especially stressful on your rig. To relieve the pressure and manage these grade changes safely, simply consider these tips:

Downshift on Declines. By simply switching your vehicle to a lower gear and reducing your speed when driving down a hill, you can relieve extra pressure and stress on your vehicle’s engine, brakes, and transmission. It will also give you much more control, especially in wet weather conditions.

Upshift on Inclines. Do the opposite of above. When heading up a hill, switch your vehicle into a higher gear for extra power and boost.

Minimize Braking on Declines. Try not to go crazy with braking on a decline. You need to give your braking components time to cool, so go easy on them when driving downhill. If you must apply the brakes on a decline, firmly tap your brakes with brief presses (one to two seconds). Pause for a few moments in between each press.

Watch the Temperature Gauges. Since extra weight puts extra stress on certain components in your towing vehicle, more heat is also produced while managing this extra pressure. Be sure to watch your temperature gauges for increases in engine or transmission heat output. Use a quality transmission cooler for frequent towing.

Zore’s Indy

Zore's Inc. Indianapolis Indiana

Zore’s Indy 317-247-8484

If you need affordable towing services, don’t hesitate another minute! Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for prompt and professional towing and recovery services in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. We are licensed, bonded, and insured towing contractors with decades of experience in the industry. We retain one of the city’s largest fleets of towing trucks and rigs for heavy duty tows, light duty towns, quick clearance, storm cleanup, disaster response, and more! Call 317-247-8484 today for affordable and fast tow truck services in Indianapolis, Indiana.