Road Service

Hydrogen based transportation is a distant reality and there remain grave doubts as to it’s eventuality, based simply on the likely massive infrastructure overhauls required as well as other long term considerations. One can’t help but wonder though, how hydrogen cars would change the road service industry.

“Another challenge for hydrogen cars is the fact that there are only few hydrogen gas stations. It is the “chicken and egg” problem. Energy companies will not build hydrogen gas stations before there are hydrogen cars to service, and users will not buy hydrogen cars before they can fill their cars at the places where they drive. To get started with usage of hydrogen for road transportation, there are many initiatives, such as the Hydrogen HighWay. in California where the aim is to establish 50-100 hydrogen gas stations before 2010, and the Hydrogen Link) in the Nordic countries where Denmark, Sweden, Norway and North of Germany are linked together in a network of establishing a corridor of hydrogen filling stations.
However It will take decades before a infrastructure established enough for everyone to use a hydrogen driven car. We still need technological improvements and huge investments before the hydrogen society will be a reality. Before we will see regular hydrogen cars on our roads, we will see small fleets of vehicles for small transportation purposes being introduced to the market. The H2 Truck. project from Denmark is one of the first batch produced hydrogen vehicles. In these vehicles, batteries are replaced with fuel cells and refilled with hydrogen with a small hydrogen filling placed in the area of use of where the vehicles are being used, this could be hospitals, in airports and schools etc.”
(Source)

West Side Story comes to road service in Illinois. In an unusual story, road service tow company rivals added Molotov cocktails into the mix of an ongoing turf war.

“Charges are pending against three south suburban men who were caught tossing Molotov cocktails from their car window along Cicero Avenue in Alsip.

The homemade bombs were intended to settle the score in an ongoing turf war between two competing Southwest Side towing companies. The men told police they planned to use them to blow up a rival’s tow truck, according to Alsip Police Chief Bob Troy.

Officers began tailing a Lexus sedan driving suspiciously about 4 a.m. Sunday after getting a tip from a family member that the men were up to no good.

Mike Ashkar — a cousin who works for the rival towing company — called police after spotting the men in front of his Alsip home.

Ashkar suspected the men were there to finish a fist fight that was broken up by family members late the night before. But he had no idea their plans were so sinister — to detonate a tow truck he had parked next to his house.

“We knew maybe they were going to try to do something,” Ashkar said. “We didn’t know it would (involve) bombs.”
(source)

Sometimes road service goes beyond blown tires, broken axles, and fender benders. I imagine that those in the road service industry have many a tale to tell.

This one is likely to elicit a grin because everyone remembers when another world was only an imagination away. When forests hid creatures unimaginable and good and evil had two distinctly different faces.

Apparently 10 year old Christopher Suri took the newly released fantasy movie, “Bridge to Terabithia”, quite seriously and attempted to replicate the journey.

“Sometime before 5:15 p.m. Saturday the boy slipped out of his yard. He carried a sword – a real one — that his father bought at a garage sale. He set off to slay monsters.”

As it turns out family and townspeople turned out for the journey too when they hit the road and scattered through the countryside searching for young Suri.

“They scoured woods near Old Pasco Road in what is known as the Quail Hollow area of Pasco County. Nearby businesses provided coffee, pizza and water to the searchers…”.

Which brings us to the hero of the story, an unnamed tow truck driver,a road service provider who went out of his way, stopped to pick the young man up after spotting him on the side of the freeway.

“The adventure ended on State Road 54 near Interstate 75, where a tow-truck driver spotted Christopher and stopped to help. To the boy’s father, that tow-truck driver was an “angel from heaven.”

Amen and kudos to the tow truck driver, whoever he
is.

The story by Ronnie Blair of TBO.com is here.

Volvo has devised an ingenious means of adding value to their provided road service. It’s quite an innovative approach to “giving back” , using something as seemingly mundane as road service to help save a life – which is rather in keeping with Volvo’s life saving theme anyway. Kudos to Volvo for their impressive application of the basic road service amenity.

“Volvo Cars of North America (VCNA) announced today a partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC), linking their roadside assistance network to the nation’s leading organization for the prevention of abducted, endangered, and sexually exploited children.

According to a U.S. Department of Justice study, nearly 800,000 children were reported missing in a one year period. That is the equivalent of more than 2,000 children being reported each day.

“Volvo Cars wants to help law enforcement and NCMEC bring more children home safely,” says Anne Bélec, VCNA president and CEO. “When a child is missing, lost, or in danger we all have a responsibility to do everything possible, as quickly as possible to assist.”

Bélec notes that Volvo’s “On-Call” roadside service assistance network will now be linked to trained professionals in NCMEC’s Hotline. When a Volvo driver, or anyone with access to the emergency phone number on the Volvo “On-Call” card or decal, calls in a report it goes immediately into the system. Time is a critical element to the successful resolution in cases of missing children.

Every new Volvo sold will receive a window decal instructing drivers to call the toll-free “On Call” number for emergency assistance or to report information on a missing, lost, or child in danger. “Our On Call link with NCMEC will provide instantaneous help in the hands of so many,” said Bélec.

“Volvo is helping us increase awareness about child safety in communities nationwide,” said Ernie Allen, president and CEO of NCMEC. “By calling on their customers to get involved, Volvo is making them active participants in the search for missing and lost children.”
(source)

This is not where you want to end up on your way down to the lake this summer. Are you curious if your road service coverage also covers situations like this. It is very important when you have something as valuable as a boat attached to your car that your insurance is comprehensive and that your provider can cover possible road service emergency scenarios like this image depicts.

The US Coast Guard has a comprehensive article on towing boats. Below are a few points to consider. Be sure to read the entire article to ensure that you and your boat make it down to the lake safely.

• The tow ball and coupler are the same size and bolts with washers are tightly secured. (The vibration of road travel can loosen them.)
• The coupler is completely over the ball and the latching mechanism is locked.
• The trailer is loaded evenly from front to rear as well as side to side.
• The safety chains are attached crisscrossing under the coupler to the frame of the tow vehicle. If the ball were to break, the trailer would follow in a straight line and prevent the coupler from dragging on the road.
• The lights on the trailer function properly.
• Check the brakes. On a level parking area roll forward and apply the brakes several times at increasing speeds to determine a safe stopping distance.
• The side view mirrors are large enough to provide an unobstructed rear view on both sides of the vehicle.
• Check tires (including spare) and wheel bearings. Improper inflation may cause difficulty in steering. When trailer wheels are immersed in water (especially salt water), the bearings should be inspected and greased after each use.
• Make certain water from rain or cleaning has been removed from the boat. Water weighs approximately eight pounds per gallon and can add weight that will shift with the movement of the trailer.
• Allow more time to brake, accelerate, pass, and stop.
• Remember the turning radius is also much greater. Curbs and roadside barriers must be given a wide berth when negotiating corners.
• Prior to operating on the open road, practice turning, backing up, etc. on a level uncongested parking area

A good road sevice policy can rescue you if you have a flat tire. A good road service plan will rescue you when you are mired in mud. One thing a road service plan is not likely to do is rescue you from bored children on a long road trip.

Here are some good ideas to keep in mind as you prepare for your family vacation.

1. Pace: allow enough time for rest stops. Two hours of car
time, then a break, makes a good pattern.
2. Pack: a special backpack or bag for each child, with crayons, books, toys, activity sets, stickers, handheld games.
3. Pack: some new wrapped surprises for little kids. But don’t give out all the loot at once!
4. Print out some simple games to play in the car — see link at right.
5. Play: a story for the whole family on the car stereo system; or bring individual players for your kids.
6. Play pint-sized board-games. Clue, Sorry, Trouble… are oldies but goodies.
7. Playrooms: Burger King and MacDonalds have great playrooms on major highways. Let the kids burn off energy while you order their food “to go” to eat later in the car.
8. Playgrounds: every school and most parks have them! Little limbs need to shake, rattle, and roll.
9. Picnics: buy the fixins’ at a deli or grocery store, find somewhere scenic where the kids can run around. You save money, too.
10. Potties: it’s worth bringing a training pottie, if your child has need-to-go-NOW emergencies.
11. Sleepy Time: kids fall asleep easily in the car, and a snooze can be a great way to let the miles fly by. Just be sure to allow lots of wakie-wakie time. Rousing a child from deep sleep because “we’re there now” is tough.
12. Rush: is a four-letter word when you Travel With Kids!

Tips:

1. A tray– or a “travel desk” suspended from the back of the front seat– is handy, for any back-seat activity.
2. Pack LOTS of snacks, such as fruit leathers, crackers, juice packs, treats. Bring plastic cups; bandaids, a dishtowel; frisbee and ball for rest-stops; and baby-wipes no matter how old your kids are.
3. Once you have a couple of kids, costs for quenching a thirst can add up fast. Bring a small cooler, or insulated bag, for cold drinks. Buy giant-sized drinks; use plastic cups to share them out.

from About.com

If romance and weddings are your point of destination, the Blantyre in the Berkshires can graciously accomodate your plans.

“Blantyre is an ideal place for couples seeking a getaway or newlyweds seeking the perfect wedding night accommodations. Located in the heart of the Berkshires near Boston, the Blantyre exudes romance throughout—the Main House features leaded glass windows, richly burnished woods, luxurious fabrics, overstuffed chairs, fresh flowers, a light-filled music room, and rooms for private dining. Four cottages, within a short walk of the Main House, provide the ultimate in romantic seclusion and comfort. Romance seekers may also opt for an in-room massage, ice skating or a gourmet picnic prepared by Chef Christopher Brooks.”

from Mobil Travel Guide

One of the many benefits of your Auto Roadside Assistance Service membership is access to Exxon/Mobil Travel Guide’s services and discounts. In order to help you appreciate those services this blog will regularly feature one of the thousands of destinations that you can consider for your next vacation.

One of the many benefits of your Auto Roadside Assistance Service membership is access to Exxon/Mobil Travel Guide’s services and discounts. In order to help you appreciate those services this blog will regularly feature one of the thousands of destinations that you can consider for your next vacation.

Today we have landed at the Little Nell In Colorado.

Highlights: The Little Nell

• The Little Nell in Aspen, Colorado, combines a European style ski chalet with the charm of a country inn and the ambiance and amenities of a luxury hotel
• Exceptional staff members work hard to provide Five-Star service
• Guest rooms and suites are spacious and elegantly decorated with views of the town or mountains
• Inspired and outstanding dining in the Mobil Four-Star-rated Montagna Restaurant, overlooking the courtyard and Aspen Mountain
• The well-equipped fitness center offers a full range of cardio equipment and free weights

Amenities: The Little Nell

92 rooms, 4 story. Closed late Apr-mid-May. Pets accepted. Check-in 4 pm, check-out noon. High-speed Internet access. Three restaurants, two bars. Fitness room. Outdoor pool, whirlpool. Airport transportation available. Business center.

It was a rainy night and traffic was sparse as Jane drove North towards Colorado. She was tense, it was an unexpected trip and she hadn’t really prepared for being on the road. As she tried to remember the last time the oil in her 10 year old car was changed, she noticed the that the gauges on the dashboard were jumping erratically. And was that steam coming up from underneath the hood – it was hard to tell in the rain. And then she lost power all together. Fortunately she was driving in the slow lane and as she pulled off the road her heart sunk as she remembered that she had planned to charge her cell phone during the trip. Jane didn’t even know who to call for roadside service. What’s a girl in distress to do?

Well, there would be no girl in distress if Jane had maintained a regular schedule of maintenance for her car. But the old boyfriend did that. Now Jane would have to learn to as well.

Below is an abbreviated list of basics that every car owner would be advised to become familiar with if they do not want to have to call for roadside service. Click over to Linda Sharp’s piece in Car.com for the details.

“The more you know about your car, the better you can care for — and drive — it. Understanding the intricate details and parts not only will help you keep it running longer, but it will also make dealing with mechanics and service departments easier.”

1. Read the Owner’s Manual

2. Change the Oil

3. Maintain Tire Air Pressure

4. Pay Attention to Your Car’s Warning Lights

5. Check Your Vehicle’s Vital Fluids Regularly

6. Get Rubber Engine Components Inspected

7. Know Your Car’s Acronyms

8. Use the Right Tires for the Season

9. Know Which Wheels Drive Your Car

10. Keep Your Car Clean