Emergency Auto Assistance

Emergency roadside assistance calls have been more prevalent than ever because motorists are letting their vehicles run out of gas.  Drivers have been waiting too late to fill up their gas tanks because of the high fuel prices.

A lot of people run out of gas in traffic jams because they don’t count on having to sit idle while waiting for traffic to clear up.  This means that motorists are becoming stranded in their vehicles.

Road service calls due to running out of gas were up 10% in 2007 when compared with 2006.

Although it costs a lot to fill up your gas tank these days, it is better for your engine.  If you are in the habit of running low on gas, you are probably having the sludge from the bottom of your fuel tank sucked up.  The result of this is a fuel filter and pump that is gummed up.  This will cause problems for you in the long run.

Drivers need to just bite the bullet and fill up with fuel before it’s too late.  Nobody wants to end up stranded in rush hour traffic.  And make sure you have emergency auto assistance in case of an emergency.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that small cars aren’t as safe as big vehicles, back in 1997.  Yet, today there are more small cars than ever.  Small vehicles aren’t the only way to accomplish fuel-efficiency and reduced emissions.  There are now light construction materials that can accomplish this feat on larger vehicles.  In fact, making a vehicle lightweight will improve safety.  A car that is lightweight is more nimble than a heavy car, allowing motorists to avoid accidents and road service calls.

Many people make the assumption that weight and size of a vehicle go hand in hand.  This isn’t necessarily true.  Lightweight, strong materials, like carbon fiber tend to be expensive, however, certain high-end automakers are implementing it on roofs and hoods.

The Smart ForTwo is using plastic door panels.  The doors won’t ding or scratch, and are reinforced internally with steel bars.  This gives the best protection in the instance of a side impact, yet it is more lightweight than a conventional door.

Small vehicle sales are at an all time high in the U.S.  Currently, the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit are the top sellers.  Although consumers will have to pay more for big vehicles that are lightweight, it is worth it because of safety.  In addition, it will help motorists avoid calling for emergency auto assistance.

Has the time come to sell your car?  Are you sick of placing calls for road service?  If so, purchasing a used vehicle could be a great option.  Many consumers are looking for used cars to get more for their money.  Consumer Reports National Research Center conducted a survey and found that hundreds of used cars offer excellent reliability.  They are also safe, affordable, and fuel-efficient.

The main reason that used vehicles offer such a great value is because it allows you to avoid the depreciation associated with new cars.  For instance, you can purchase a seven year-old Lexus RX SUV for around $13,000.  To buy this car new you would pay $40,000.

In addition, people purchasing their first vehicle don’t have to settle for a small car like the Toyota Yaris.  Instead, buying a used Nissan Altima or Honda Accord for the same price will give motorists a roomier, nicer vehicle.

Motorists need to do their homework before making a used car purchase.  It is possible to minimize risks just by buying cars that have a good reputation for reliability.  This will eliminate calls for emergency roadside assistance.

One of the family activities that are the most fun is going on road trips. Over the spring and summer, American families will go on over 320 trips. Although enjoyable, frustration can accompany families on the road. Take note of the following do’s and don’ts in order to ensure that your family has a great trip.

The most important thing that you can do is to get your family vehicle a tune-up. Your vehicle needs to be in top-notch condition. Nothing is worse than having your car breakdown, leaving you stranded. This is why a road service program is so important.

You should plan ahead so that your family knows what is happening during the trip. This will alleviate stressful situations and help things to go smoothly. In addition, you might want to purchase software to plan your trip and invest in a GPS. This advanced technology will act as your guide to your desired destination.

Of course, you never know when you will run into speed bumps throughout your trip. For example, road construction and traffic are inevitable. However, your trip doesn’t have to be ruined by these inconveniences. In addition, you can rest assured that you have emergency roadside assistance in case your car overheats.

It can be tempting to text-message in your car, especially if you’re stuck in traffic.  You assume that there is little risk involved, however, if the person in front of you stops a little faster than you intended, all of a sudden you may find yourself calling your road service program.

Recent studies show that avoiding texting in the car will drastically reduce your chances of getting into a car accident.  In fact, four states are making an attempt to ban driving while texting (DWT).  Washington put a ban earlier in the year on texting while on the road.

Statistics suggest that DWT is a danger that is growing.  In drivers ages 16 and 17, 46% admitted that they have texted while driving.  A study by Nationwide Insurance indicates that DWT is a generational activity.  Out of people ages 18-27, 37% admit to texting while driving, meanwhile, only 14% of 28-44 year olds admit to this.  Also, only 2% of 45-60 year olds said they texted on the road.

Cities around the nation are passing text-message ordinances because of the danger that it poses.  It is best to just refrain from this activity, otherwise you might find yourself calling for emergency roadside assistance.

A defensive driver is someone who is always on guard and prepared for what could happen. They are cautious, yet are able to take action and not put their fate in other drivers’ hands. The National Safety Council has revealed that driver error accounts for 77% of accidents. This number can be cut significantly by driving defensively. Here are some tips.

First, allow enough space in between you and the car in front of you. Out of ten accidents, four involve rear-ending collisions. These could have been avoided by not tailgating.

Have an avoidance route. Look in your mirrors often to see what cars are behind and around you. You should be able to maneuver and avoid an accident in most situations. If you don’t have an out, allow more distance between you and the car ahead of you.

Realize that you can’t depend on other motorists. It is important to be considerate, but you have to consider your own safety. Don’t make assumptions that other drivers will drive the way they should. Anticipate a worse case scenario.

Finally, don’t drive too fast. The speed limit that is posted is for ideal conditions. Decrease speed if you have other variables, such as bad weather.

Defensive driving can save you from a bad accident and from calls for emergency auto assistance. Exercising caution is the best tactic for staying safe in a vehicle.

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.

You need to shop around for a repair shop before you actually need one. This will allow you to make a better decision. After all, it is hard to make a logical decision when your vehicle is broken down on the side of the road and you are waiting for emergency roadside assistance. So, how do you find a good auto shop? Here are a few tips.

First of all, call the local repair shops to find out the professional auto repair associations that they are members of. The shops have met membership standards if they belong to AAA, Parts Plus, ASP, Napa Autocare or TechNet. This means they have equipment that is state of the art, technicians that are qualified, proper training, and high satisfaction scores with customers. For example, AAA contacts the shops customers and asks questions. Questions are varied. For example, was the job finished when they told you it would be? Was it fixed right the first time? What kind of warranty was given?

The size of the shop doesn’t matter. Some people think the shop size will make the price vary greatly. This isn’t true. If the criteria is in place, and the quality of the parts and the warranty are equal, the price will be similar no matter what the size of the shop is. This is when you go ahead and make a decision based on the shop you feel most comfortable with.

If you only have one thousand dollars with which to spend towards safety features in a vehicle, use it to purchase a bigger vehicle. In the end, this will help you avoid calls to your emergency roadside assistance program. Small cars are involved in twice as many fatalities as larger vehicles.

According to the laws of physics, the bigger a vehicle is, the lower the force that will reach the compartment with occupants.  This is due to the fact that in an impact, the energy can spread over a larger area, therefore dissipating more readily.

But don’t make the mistake of equating size and weight.  When it comes to safety in crashes, size is a beneficial thing, but weight is actually hostile.  A vehicle that is heavy will push lighter cars out of the way in an accident, however it will deliver more of an impact, which can cause more harm.

Consumers who are looking for a safe vehicle should purchase one that is large but lightweight.  It should be designed to absorb the impact of a crash without actually causing it.  A large vehicle that is heavy will be safer for occupants than a small car, however it’s weight will often contribute to the damage involved in a crash.

We’ve all been there.  You’re driving your vehicle when suddenly your check engine light comes on.  If you’re like the majority of motorists, you aren’t really sure what the light is telling you.  This could be the most misunderstood light on your dashboard because it can mean many different things.  If your check engine light comes on you don’t have to immediately pull over and call for road service, but there are several tips that you should follow.

First, you should check for serious problems that would require immediate attention.  Look at your gauges to see if there is overheating or low oil pressure.  If they are apparent you should pull over and shut off your engine.

Next, tighten your gas cap.  Many times this will solve your problem.  Know that it might take a few trips before your check engine light resets.

It might help to reduce your speed.  If your light is blinking or your car is performing poorly reducing your speed will help.  Have your car checked as soon as possible.

If your check engine light comes on, remember not to panic.  Just follow these simple tips to deal with the problem.  Make sure that you have an emergency roadside assistance program for situations such as this.  You don’t want to end up stranded on the side of the road.