Road Service

There’s nothing more inconvenient than turning your ignition just to find that you have a dead battery.  At that point the only thing you can do is get a jump-start or call for roadside assistance.  However, there are some preventative measures that you can take to avoid getting stuck in this position.

Regardless of the type of battery you have, you need to check the terminal connections periodically.  You want to make sure that there is no corrosion or tightness.

If you determine that there are corroded terminals, you can clean them off with a small brush and a mixture of water and baking soda.

Also, you can do a visual check of the battery to determine if there are any leaks, cracks, or damage.  If any of these things are apparent, replace the battery immediately.

Of course, the time to save your battery is prior to the signs of wear and tear.  Unfortunately, you can’t always predict when your battery will fail, which is why it is important to have a road service program.  However, if your starter turns slow, your headlights brighten when you rev the engine, or your clock is noticeably slower, your engine should be examined.

What features can help older drivers stay safe and comfortable on the road and avoid road service calls?  The American Automobile Association has the following recommendations to help older drivers.

First, it is helpful to have a steering wheel that tilts and telescopes.  This puts the driver 10 inches from the airbag, and also alleviates shoulder and neck pain.

Also helpful are mirrors that allow for wide visibility.  This allows older drivers to compensate for a limited range of motion.

Seats that are heated with lumbar support allow relief from an aching back.

Six-way adjustable seats allow drivers who are short to see over the steering wheel, and allow for an easier entrance and exit out of the car.

A car with adjustable foot pedals will allow small drivers to be able to reach pedals while remaining far enough away from the airbag.

Four doors are better than two for older drivers because they are lighter and easier to open and close.

Purchasing the right car for an older driver is important for safety reasons.  Keep these things in mind to help your loved one avoid emergency roadside assistance calls.

Many motorists have been in the situation where an object hits their windshield and a big crack shows up.  Your windshield might even end up bad enough that you have to call your road service program.  However, when do you know if it necessary to replace the windshield or if the crack can just be fixed?

Windshield repair or replacement depends on the location, size and severity of damage.  Windshield shops can usually repair chips the size of a quarter, as well as cracks reaching three inches.  For bigger damage it is recommended that you replace your windshield.

The location of the damage is also a big factor in whether you can keep your windshield.  When a crack is at the edge of your windshield it can affect the structure of the glass.  In this case it is usually best to replace your windshield.

Many facilities won’t repair a chip if it’s in the direct line of the driver’s vision.  The repair process may result in minor glass distortions, which are unsafe for the driver. After all, you don’t want to end up calling for emergency roadside assistance.

Keep in mind, whatever the location or size of the glass damage, it is necessary to have it looked at right away.  Waiting can result in dirt getting in the damaged area, which can affect the repair job.

According to the BMW Blog, the CS Concept that was unveiled at the New York auto show this past spring isn’t going to ever see the light of day in production.  Due to the current problems with the financial market, BMW brass had a change of mind about the possibility of a $100,000-plus-range car.

For car fans this is bad news, but most people buying cars won’t care.  But it is worrisome to car aficionados is the fact that BMW claimed in its cancellation announcement that it’s focusing on profit right now, and not brand identity.  That means that consumers can expect to see more cars like the X1 SUV and not as many statement vehicles.  The company is also claiming that it will be focusing on new technology, which probably means it will be working on engines that are more efficient and refining its iDrive system.

Although many drivers don’t have the funds to purchase a car like the CS Concept, it is sad to see that it won’t make it to production.  However, most people are choosing not to purchase new vehicles right now and instead hold onto their current cars and buy used car warranties and auto road service plans.

Auto accidents are always surprising and seem to happen when you least expect them.  An accident leaves drivers stunned and shocked, and often people aren’t sure what to do first.  What steps should you take right after an accident, when your adrenaline is pumping?  Read on.

Obviously, the first thing to do in the case of an accident is make sure everyone is OK.  A 911 call should be placed immediately if help is needed.  In addition, call the police regardless of if any one is injured.  Also, place a call to your road service program.

The next thing to do is to call your insurance agent.  They will give you advice about exchanging information with the other motorist and making a survey of the scene.  Be careful not to admit fault at the accident, it is up to the insurance companies to decide who is at fault.

Also, you should take notes of details at the scene of the accident that you might forget later.  It can help to take pictures of the scene.  Many cell phones these days are picture phones, which make it convenient to snap a few quick pictures.

Read your insurance policy to file your claim within any time limits.  Many times if damage exceeds $750 you have to file a SR1 form, which you can find on your state DMV website.

Of course nobody wants to be involved in a car accident, but it happens to all of us.  Knowing what to do is essential.  Make sure you have the numbers of your insurance company and emergency roadside assistance program on hand so you aren’t searching for information at the scene of the accident.  This will alleviate some unnecessary stress.

Nissan is trying to catch up with its competition, Honda and Toyota, in the hybrid area and is all set to debut a luxury hybrid next year sometime, according to Nikkei, which is a Japanese business daily.

Although in the past, Nissan has utilized Toyota’s hybrid system, on the Nissan Altima Hybrid, it is planning to come up with its own drivetrain for this time, and will most likely be used on the Infiniti M sedan.

This move is a bit questionable if you look at the iffy sales record on past luxury hybrids.  Nissan only needs to look at Toyota, its competition, which has had a difficult time selling its luxury hybrids under the Lexus name. People are generally opting for more affordable hybrids with a good road service program instead of splurging on luxury vehicles.

It may be a smarter move to build a hybrid model that would be able to compete with the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius, instead of nationally promoting the Altima Hybrid.

For you drivers out there who are determined to stick with your Bluetooth-less vehicle for a little longer, yet who would like to take advantage of that technology, there may be an easy solution that doesn’t attach to your sun visor.

The new Steering Wheel Bluetooth Adapter fastens to the steering wheel on the inside and adjusts for different fits and sizes.  This gadget comes with speakers and a microphone, as well as an SD port for MP3 players, an LCD display, a USB port and an FM-out that plays everything through your vehicle’s stereo.

The adapter requires a power source, which is why it utilizes the cigarette lighter.  You may think it would seem dangerous to have a wire that goes from the steering wheel to the dashboard.  It does work from a battery that is rechargeable, but when would you really recharge it except while driving?

Probably the best bet would be to charge the battery at home and bring it with you when you leave in the morning.  After all, there could be car accidents and road service calls from people trying to drive with a wire attached to their steering wheel.

Car accidents are always unnerving and happen unexpectedly.  An accident leaves motorists feeling shocked and stunned, and often, they don’t know what to do next.  Here are some important steps to take in this situation.

First, make sure everyone is OK, and if not place a 911 call.  Also, always contact the police and then place a call to your road service program.

Next, call your insurance agent.  They can inform you about what information to exchange with the other motorist, and help you survey the scene.  Be aware that you shouldn’t admit fault at the scene of the accident, the insurance companies will determine this.

Also, make sure to read the information in your insurance policy, so you file your claim within the specified time limit.  Often, if the vehicle damage exceeds $750 you need to file a SR1 form, which can be found on the DMV website of the state that you live in.

It is always scary to be involved in a vehicle accident, but unfortunately it happens to all of us at one point or another.  It is essential to know what to do in this instance.  To alleviate stress, have all important documents ready, such as your insurance policy and auto warranty.

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. It is important to have a good auto warranty in case repairs are needed. You don’t want to end up paying unnecessary repair costs.

According to a recent survey by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety, many drivers believe they have super abilities to complete complex tasks behind the wheel.  And although it may seem monotonous to just drive a car, multi-tasking while driving increases the chance for having an accident drastically. In addition, many calls for road service are due to multi-tasking. So, what are drivers really doing behind the wheel?

Well, 32% of drivers surveyed admit to reading while driving.  The survey didn’t specify whether they are reading maps or autobiographies, but it doesn’t really matter.  Either way, these drivers are 3.4 times more likely to get in an accident.

And, although most of us detest seeing drivers eat behind the wheel, NETS says that 70% of the surveyed drivers do it.  These drivers have a two to three times greater chance of crashing because of their eating habits.

Another group of people are making work preparations behind the wheel.  In fact, 10% of motorists admitted to making phone calls, reviewing notes, using computers, and making lists, all while trying to navigate during rush hour.

Although driving may seem monotonous at times, motorists need to resist the temptation to multi-task behind the wheel.  These habits can result in accidents and calls for emergency roadside assistance.