Road Service

Upon arrival of an accident scene, firefighters may not realize the high-voltage electrical system in a Toyota hybrid is on because of the silence of the electric motor.

According to Toyota regional service training specialist John Durso, people wouldn’t realize that a car is a hybrid unless they were told.  Many people would just assume that the vehicle was stopped.

For firefighters or a road service crew who are responding to an accident involving a gas-electric hybrid, high voltage is a complication.  This poses a risk of injuries or even death to emergency workers.

Because more and more electric-gas hybrids are being sold, firefighters are trying to learn the emergency response techniques that will keep them safe dealing with this new technology.  Classes at the Connecticut Fire Academy give regular classes on how firefighters can recognize hybrid car logos and disable their high-powered battery systems safely.

Consumers benefit from electric-gas hybrids because they save big at the gas pump.  However, in case of an accident or breakdown, motorists should allow firefighters or emergency roadside assistance crews to deal with their vehicle electrics, which can be dangerous unless you are properly trained.

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.

Volkswagen just announced a recall for 130 Passats, which include the Passat Wagon and Passat CC. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that a capacitor that is damaged could cause the gearbox to malfunction. This defect would most likely occur just after the car is started and after the steering wheel is moved for the first time at a low speed of less than 5 mph.

This will make the steering wheel vibrate or even shut down completely, which might cause a bad accident. A roadside assistance program is beneficial for this reason. You don’t want to end up stranded with no road service in the event of a car malfunction.

The steering gear can be replaced in affected vehicles at dealerships starting Dec.5. Also, car owners can call VW at 1-800-822-8987 or the safety hotline for the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236.

When teenagers turn 16 years old, they are excited to get their drivers license. Unfortunately, teens have more driving accidents than any other age group. For the majority of teen drivers, the question isn’t whether they are going to have an accident, but when they are going to have an accident.

Inexperience is the main reason that teenagers are vulnerable to traffic accidents. Although 16 to 19 year olds only make up 5.3 percent of the driving population in our nation, they’re involved in 13.3 percent of all of the traffic accidents and 11 percent of crashes that are fatal.

A new program aimed to protect teenagers is “graduated licensing”. Although the age of licensing is the same, full privileges come gradually.

The program begins with a learner’s permit. Next, is the intermediate stage, in which teens can drive during the daytime alone, and in the evening they can drive between 9 p.m-6 a.m. with a licensed driver. Then, the advanced stage comes. This is when teens can drive with no restrictions.

The graduated licensing program is a good step to make sure that our teens remain safe. However, teens need to protect themselves with a road service program just in case they get into trouble. This will give them peace of mind in an emergency situation.

If you’re thinking of buying a new vehicle you need to think about safety features.  Things such as crash test results, electronic stability control, and rollover resistance are all things that are important in keeping you safe in your vehicle and helping you avoid road service calls.

In order to give vehicles a safety rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety performs side impact and frontal crashes on cars.  Considering these results is important when it comes time to buy a new car.

Vehicles that are taller, such as SUVs and pickup trucks have a greater tendency to rollover since they have a high center of gravity.  You can find out a car’s inclination to rollover by looking at NHTSA five star ratings.

Electronic stability control is a safety feature that is extremely beneficial and highly recommended.  This feature allows you to maintain control of your car when you’re cornering.  You can avoid skidding and sliding with electronic stability control because brakes are automatically applied to the wheels that could use it.

Motorists are more concerned about safety than ever before.  Also, drivers are protecting themselves by signing up for roadside assistance programs.

If you’re purchasing a used car you need to find out as much history as possible about it. The car may have problems that are not apparent from a visual inspection or a test drive and leave you calling for emergency roadside assistance.

A car history report is a good way to find out what you’re getting. This is a report prepared by a third party that is a compilation of information from DMVs, RMVs, and other sources. A car history report will give you an overview of what the car has been through.

When getting a car history report look out for the following things. This is not to say that you shouldn’t buy the car based on these issues, but certainly ask questions.

If a car has had a lot of owners, chances are it hasn’t been cared for lovingly. These cars have probably endured more abuse.

Some areas of our country are easier on vehicles than others. For example, extreme winter conditions are tough on vehicles, as are flood areas and extreme heat.

Make sure the name and description of the car match up with the actual car. Read the description carefully to rule out vehicle fraud.

Car history reports, such as those from CARFAX are comprehensive and can save you from purchasing a lemon. Just performing this simple step may save you from having to call for auto road service.

Roads many times seem like they are war-zones.  Motorists encounter ruts, potholes, and icy roads that can be dangerous.  Just being aware of bad road conditions can help drivers protect themselves.  Here are a few tips that can help you avoid accidents.

Make sure to lookout for nasty potholes.  If you encounter a pothole, slow down and keep your hands on the wheel.  Hitting a pothole hard might put your vehicle out of alignment.  Also, it is common for steel-belted tires to endure damage, due to potholes, that could make the driver lose control.

Luckily, ruts don’t do a lot of damage to vehicles.  However, they do sometimes cause drivers to lose control of the car.  In this event, a car can experience a great deal of damage.

One of the most dangerous road conditions is ice.  Many accidents are the result of cars slipping on ice.  If the roads are very icy, it is best to avoid driving.  However, in the event that you must drive, go slow and allow enough distance in between you and the car in front of you.

Sometimes motorists can’t foresee bad road conditions.  All motorists can do is drive defensively and make sure you have a road service program that can assist you in case of an emergency.

After a vehicle accident, it is as important to find the right auto body shop, as it is to find the right contractor for home repairs.  You can have your road service program tow your vehicle directly to the repair shop that you choose.

There are over 34,000 auto body shops in the nation, which makes choosing the right one confusing.

Insurance companies often make recommendations, yet drivers are ultimately responsible for choosing the auto body repair shop.  To get the best result, motorists need to find a shop that is trustworthy and does quality work.

The National Auto Body Council and the CBBB have joined to offer consumers some much needed tips on choosing the right auto body shop, finding a deal on a rental car, and settling disputes.

To find a trustworthy repair shop, first inquire about the shop’s qualifications.  You can do this by asking questions about advanced technician training.  There are national organizations that you can find this out from such as I-CAR or ASE certification.

The average car will be worked on for about two weeks, so you will need to find a rental car.  Many times the shop will make arrangements for you if you ask them, or for a few dollars a month you can have a rental covered under your insurance.

Finally, make sure to get everything in writing.  You need an estimate of the price of the repairs to be performed.  Also, reputable shops might offer a warranty on their work.

Hybrid cars are becoming more and more popular. With fuel prices around $4 per gallon and oil at approximately $100 a barrel, we need to save on gas costs. In fact, many people are putting off filling up their tanks to avoid spending money and finding themselves calling for emergency roadside assistance. Global warming and the air quality also make it a good time to take the plunge. But, which hybrid should you purchase? Here are some factors to consider.

First of all, determine the size of vehicle that you need. If you need a lot of cargo room and really want an SUV, there are many hybrids to choose from. However, you have to realize that even the SUVs that are the most fuel-efficient hybrids aren’t going to be as fuel-efficient as standard gas powered sedans, because of their size, as well as the size of their engines.

Also, you need to consider style. Some motorists claim that the Toyota Prius is the most ugly thing they have ever seen, while others love it. And people who are environmentally minded like the style of the Prius because it calls attention to itself being a ‘green’ car. However, if you like a more conventional car style, you might be happy with the Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, or Ford Escape.

It is time to stop relying on fossil fuels, and hybrid cars are a good way to do that. The type of hybrid you decide on is up to you, so make sure to do your homework and determine which hybrid will suit you the best. In addition, make sure you find a good road service program that will protect you in case of breakdowns. After all, you never know when you will find yourself stranded on the side of the road.

Modern vehicles are made with sophistication and elegance.  The dashboard of recent vehicles feature innovative technology that will have drivers in awe.  This technology is a benefit to us all, as long as we know how to use it.  Yet, how many drivers actually know the functions and operations of all of these controls and switches?

When a motorist slips into the driver’s seat, he should become one with his vehicle.  People tend to oversimplify the task of driving.  Sometimes we think the driver only has to perform elementary movements.  However, there is a lot more involved in driving. A defensive driver will make himself aware of the instruments and their operations before he ever puts his car in drive.

It is risky to look for a button or dial while driving because that means that the driver’s eyes aren’t on the road. Unfortunately, playing with gadgets leave people calling for emergency roadside assistance. A safe driver will go through a list of operations before taking off.  For instance, they will flick switches and turn knobs in a set sequence.  Also, they will check the gauges for the ammeter and oil pressure once the engine is running.

Enjoy the modern technology that your car has to offer, but learn about the functions off the road, not on.  Educating yourself in advance can save you from dangerous accidents and road service calls.