Auto Roadside Assistance Blog

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.

Sales of crossovers are one of the strongest segments in the auto industry.  What exactly is a crossover?  A crossover combines attributes from both SUVs and minivans with the positive characteristics we enjoy on passenger cars.

Crossovers typically have the cargo room and passenger space that you find in minivans, yet add the utility, usefulness, and even all-wheel-drive systems that you find on SUVs.  All of these attributes come with the smooth ride, easy operation and secure handling of passenger cars.  Basically, crossovers are built to be a combination of the best of all worlds.  In addition, most crossovers come with a good auto warranty that gives drivers peace of mind.

Consumers who purchase crossovers have a variety of different interests and activities that call for a flexible, practical car with varied features.  Crossover owners like to be ready for anything and everything, and they expect the same from their vehicle.

Other crossover owners are motorists who need to be able to carry more than four passengers, but they don’t want the image that goes along with the minivan, and they don’t want SUVs because of gas consumption and clumsy handling.

The crossover segment of the auto industry is becoming more and more crowded, with new vehicles coming out rapidly.  These vehicles offer consumers versatility, reliability, an auto warranty and roadside assistance.  What’s not to like?

There is no vehicle quite as exhilarating as a convertible.  Motorists love to feel the wind in their hair and the sun on their faces.  Convertibles give drivers a sense of freedom that is hard to find in any other vehicle.  However, are convertibles a good purchase?  Read on and decide for yourself.

Automakers have spent a lot of time improving convertibles.  Motorists used to have to worry about retractable tops leaking, but that is a thing of the past.  Today, convertible tops are superb at sealing out weather and sound.  And whether fabric or metal, the tops can go up and down with the touch of a button in less than 30 seconds.

Convertible safety has also greatly improved.  Cars are now equipped with side airbags.  These airbags deploy from the line of the window in order to create protection.  This is important in the case of a crash or rollover.

Although the convertible market hasn’t been growing, there are many interesting choices for consumers to consider.  Models that are newer, such as the Volkswagen Eos and Saturn Sky have been doing well in sales.  You might also want to consider a high-performance convertible, such as the Dodge Viper SRT10, Audi RS 4 Cabriolet, or the Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet.  The benefit of buying a new convertible is that it comes with an auto warranty.

Unfortunately, many convertible owners admit that the novelty of driving a convertible wears off within the first year.  Luckily, convertibles hold their value very well, which means that if you become fickle, you probably won’t have a hard time getting your money back.  Just protect yourself with a road service program in case you find yourself stranded on the side of the road.

The days are gone when you could do a roadside repair with chewing gum and tights.  In modern vehicles you need professional help for anything more than a puncture.  It’s reassuring to know that help is only a phone call away, but it can be difficult to choose a roadside assistance program.  There have been many new providers to enter the market in recent years.  These companies offer motorists peace of mind through roadside benefits.

The market is very competitive and it can be confusing for consumers to find the right coverage.  There are numerous road service providers that all offer several various levels of service.

Of course price is an important consideration when shopping for roadside benefits.  However, it shouldn’t be the sole issue.  Decide what aspect of the coverage is most important for you first, and afterward you can proceed with your search.

Often you can pick between auto road services that only help on the roadside, or those that will also help you if you’re stuck at home.  It is a good idea to purchase the latter.  After all, you never know where your car will breakdown.

It is also worth inquiring if coverage is for you, regardless of the car that you’re driving, or for the actual car.  The latter is a good idea if you if other people in the family are driving the car, and the former are ideal if you will be driving more than one car.  Also, sometimes discounts can be given for policies that include a husband and wife.

It can be hard to figure out which roadside assistance program is best for you.  Just remember to determine what kind of road service you need, and find a company that will provide you with the most options.

Credit is a key factor when an auto shopper is trying to figure out how much they will pay for a car.  However, according to experts, people should look at various dealers to compare special financing deals.  This is as important as shopping around for a car type.

It is important to request a copy of your credit report and score through a credit agency.  This will give you a better idea of what you will be dealing with when you talk about financing.

There are web-based tools that you can look to for help.  For example, AutoTrader.com is a website for classifieds that actually has a credit center for people looking to buy a car with bad credit.  And while other websites of a similar nature require the consumer to disclose personal and confidential information, the credit center only asks general questions to give the shopper privacy.

After you fill out the questionnaire, you will get a credit level that is estimated excellent, good or fair.  Next, you can do a search among car dealers in your area that can help you with your specific financing needs.

The key is to be prepared when you walk into the dealership.  Websites are a great way to arm you with knowledge.  You can learn all about car prices, credit scores, and prices on an auto warranty and roadside assistance.  You want to do your homework so that you can get the best deal you can on the car itself, financing and new car warranties.

Talking on a cell phone impairs drivers to the same extent of a drunk driver with a blood alcohol level of .08.  This is one distraction that teenagers deal with while behind the wheel.  They often like to multi-task while driving, which is very risky for themselves and other people.

And in modern times, teens have even more to deal with.  They switch CDs, play with iPods, and have the distraction of all of the modern gadgets on dashboards.  Also dangerous is the temptation to send text messages while at the wheel.  One out of five teens have admitted to doing this.  With statistics like these, it is necessary that teens be covered by a roadside assistance program.

Experts say that our brains aren’t capable of driving and multi-tasking because of the unpredictability of driving.  For instance, a deer could jump in front of your vehicle, or a cyclist could swerve on the road.  These are dangerous events, and especially if the driver isn’t paying attention to the road.

With all of the modern distractions, we need to keep our teen drivers safe.  Parents can help their teens by purchasing roadside assistance, and making strict driving rules.

More motorists are deciding to switch to hybrid cars for better fuel-efficiency, however, just like any car; hybrids need common maintenance and occasional repairs.  A regular mechanic can do work that is routine, yet you will need hybrid-certified mechanics for jobs that are more extensive.

According to a Toyota service director in Tampa, hybrid work at the dealership has been small.  There are some vehicles with issues, but for the most part repairs are the result of accidents.  The most costly repair on hybrids is for battery replacement.  In a vehicle that isn’t covered by an auto warranty, you will pay approximately $3,000 just on the part.

The best thing to do is to find a technician to repair your car before you really need it.  This way you won’t have to make last minute decisions.  Also, make sure that the technician is certified in hybrid repair.

Finally, most new car warranties for hybrids cover 100,000 miles or 8-10 years.  Make sure you know if your auto warranty requires that you get service from a specific repair shop.  And, sign up for roadside assistance in case your car breaks down.

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 battery should be examined.

More and more cars are being loaded with high-tech advances.  In fact, some luxury car models have up to 80 switches and knobs to allow for advanced safety and comfort of motorists.  Yet, there are more high-tech gadgets coming onto the market.

Soon there will be sign recognition systems that will be able to read wrong-way signs and speed limits.

Cameras could replace sideview mirrors in the future.  Images would be displayed on the rearview mirrors on the edges, or on the instrument panel.

We may see chatty cars in the future.  Developers are trying to create a network that would monitor signals from car systems and warn other cars.  For example, skidding due to slick roads could be transmitted to warn other drivers.

Bumper bags could help SUVs be less deadly when hitting a low-riding car.  This has been shown to reduce intrusions and cause less injuries.

High-tech gadgets are great for motorists, but only if they learn how to use them before getting on the road.  In addition, with any new technology, drivers should have an auto warranty to protect themselves from technology failure.  In addition, roadside assistance is always a good idea.

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.