You are going on a road trip with the family; your car is teeming with the din of chatter and happy cackling. Suddenly you smell something unpleasant as though something is burning. You check the temperature gauge on your dashboard and see the needle on ‘H’ and realize your fun-filled plans just got a lot less fun.  

One of the most common car troubles a driver faces is an overheated engine. Encountering an overheated engine can put a damper on a driver’s driving shenanigans and force them to look for ways to fix it. Although it’s a common issue, it is often than not wrongly treated, leading to more significant damage to a vehicle. Treating an overheated car right is essential to keep it functional and be safe. Here’s how you can deal with an overheated engine correctly and save yourself (and your vehicle) from unnecessary trouble afterward.

Turn the AC off and Ramp up the Heat

Turning off the AC in your car should be the first thing you should do when you notice an increase in your engine’s temperature. Once you turn the AC off, crank up the heater to take away the engine's heat. Turning the heater on may seem counterproductive, but it’s an effective way to redirect heat from a car’s engine to its insides and stop the overheating. And while that happens, you can move your vehicle to a safe spot to avoid accidents. Although you will feel uncomfortable due to the rising temperature inside your car, you will save it from any significant damage.

Turn off the Engine

When a car starts to overheat, many drivers feel tempted to power through their journey and reach the desired location, hoping that they’ll fix the issue once they reach their destination. While in an ideal world that could happen, in the real world, it doesn’t, and usually, an overheated car that’s forced to bolt through an in-process drive ends up incurring irreversible damage. Therefore, don’t test your vehicle and turn it off as soon as you realize it’s getting a fever. If you can take it to a safe spot, do so or turn the hazard lights to indicate trouble to fellow drivers.

Add a Coolant, if you have one

If you have a little know-how and practice of engine maintenance, only then attempt to execute this tip. A car’s engine typically heats up because the heat in it is not getting an outlet to escape. And that can happen for a bunch of reasons, but the most common out of them all is a clogged coolant hose or broken radiator. In any case, calming down an overheated engine can be done by adding coolant to the reservoir tank.

But be sure not to open the hood right away to look for the coolant reservoir, wait for the heat to fizzle out a little (an indication of that would be the dissipation of the smoke coming from your engine). Once that happens, only then add coolant, and that too only if you have the right one. If not, then wait for roadside assistance to come to your rescue.

Don’t try to play mechanic when you have a run-in with an overheated engine and seek assistance right away.

Several things can happen while you’re on the road. You might encounter a flat tire, run out of fuel, your car engine may overheat, or worse, you might get into an accident. While you can fix certain problems yourself, you need the assistance of a reliable towing company most of the time.
With so many cases about towing company frauds circulating the web, you might be concerned about finding a reliable towing company. There might be several towing companies that operate in your area, but you can’t rely on everyone. We’ve listed down some useful tips that will help you choose the best towing company in an emergency.

1.     Do Your Research

Being stuck on the road with a broken-down vehicle is an emergency situation, no matter what the reason is. You can’t possibly do your research once you’re in an emergency situation. It is a proactive measure that every car owner should take. Research about multiple companies that are operating in your area. Ask for suggestions or recommendations from your family and friends. Browse through the internet for all the options you have, visit the companies’ website and shortlist the companies you think are the most suitable in terms of service and cost. A reliable towing company will have a well-established website and digital presence.

2.     Look For Pricing Details

The pricing structure of every company is different from the other. Look into the pricing details before considering any towing company. The essential details that should be considered include the distance that they’ll tow your vehicle, mileage rate, waiting time, and payment method. A reliable company will have all their charges clearly mentioned on their website, or they’ll provide the details upon request without any hesitation.

3.     Assess Their Reputation

The best way to decide if a towing company is reliable or not is to assess its reputation. You can do so by reading reviews that customers have left on their website or asking around in the neighborhood if anyone has had any experience with them. If everyone has all the good things to say about them in regards to their response time, service, and professionalism, they’re a reliable towing company, and you should save their contact number in your phone for future use.

4.     24-Hour Roadside Assistance

The best towing company is the one that offers roadside assistance round the clock. The need for a towing service can arise anytime. To be on the safe side, shortlist a towing company that provides 24-hours roadside assistance. A reliable towing company will make its services available to you, no matter what time you call them.

Summary

A reliable towing company offers round-the-clock services, transparent pricing, and has plenty of positive reviews from old customers. Choosing a towing company only because they’re cheap is not the best of the criteria that you should base your decision on. Make sure that you’ve looked into all areas mentioned above before choosing a towing company for any unforeseen emergencies.

For most people, vacations or long weekends can mean road trips to the outskirts of the city. And in some cases, people may even go to the other cities by road because it’s a sure-fire way to have a grand old time. But the longer you stay on the road; the greater the chances of your car breaking down. If you are in the city, getting help is easier and quicker; however, on the highway, getting help can be a little time-consuming. Many a time, drivers can start panicking when hit by bad automotive luck in the middle of the highway. So what do you do when your vehicle breaks down unexpectedly and won’t cooperate? Let’s find out.
Here is what you should do when your car breaks down in the middle of the highway

Take a Deep Breath

If your car decides to act out and break down in the middle of the highway, you don’t have to lose your cool over it. It is, without a doubt, frustrating because you were all ready to have a fun day with your family/friends, but now you have to deal with car troubles. But try and look at the bright side; the sooner you come up with a solution, the sooner you can get to your destination. Therefore, don’t panic and take a deep breath. Devise a plan to get your car moving as quickly as possible.

Halt the Car Gently

Don’t go all Dominic Toretto on your automobile. You don’t have to hit the brakes dramatically or accelerate in hopes of getting to open space. Accept that your car is breaking down and take your foot off the gas slowly to turn off the engine. If you try to coerce your vehicle into moving, then the chances of your car getting rear-ended are high. So try your best to avoid bumping into another car.

However, if you think that your car can be maneuvered a little till it completely loses its ability to move, then try to get off the highway. Try to find an open lot or a gas station to park your car. If you can’t find a parking area, then move your vehicle to the left lane of the road. You want to stay away from the right side of the road as it exposes you to heavy traffic.

Alert the Traffic

You want to alert the oncoming vehicles about your disabled car so that it’s not met with an accident. Turn your hazard lights on and attach a white or colorful flag to your car’s antenna. Not only will it make the other vehicles aware of your broken car, but it will also help the police and roadside assistance to spot you easily.

Call for Help

​Assess the damage, and if you think you can fix the issue, then al means get to work. However, if fixing the glitch is out of your capacity, then call a reliable roadside assistance service to help you with your car. A reliable towing service would tow your vehicle and brief you on the issue.
 
If you are anywhere in and around Arizona, reach out to us at Tow Tempe, for the quickest and the most efficient towing services. We’ll get to you in no time, and our expert team will make sure that your car isn’t scratched during the movement.

If your car breaks down somewhere you are unfamiliar with, or you can’t seem to locate help, you might find yourself panicking. For the first few moments, you will try to figure out what went wrong and even try fixing it yourself. While you are toiling away at fixing your car, a tow truck might stop beside you. It’s surely a miracle, right? WRONG. Remember, all that glitters is not gold.
A lot of people hand over their vehicle keys to the towing truck because that is exactly what they needed only to realize later that their vehicle has been illegally towed. To get their car back, they have to pay heavy charges. Towing fraud has become very common. Educating yourself on how to avoid getting caught in such a scheme will keep you and your vehicle safe.

1. Make Yourself Aware

To protect yourself from towing fraud, you must know who you are working with, what you are paying for, and how much coverage your insurance company will provide. The more you make yourself aware, the fewer the chances are that you will get caught in a towing fraud scheme.

2. Understand Your Insurance Policy

Always make sure that you know what your insurance policy says. Review it thoroughly to see if roadside assistance comes under coverage, and if it does, what its limitations are. In case you meet with an accident, you should know how the insurance company will handle the towing task and how much of the towing charges the company will take responsibility for. This will make you rely on your insurance company alone and will prevent you from falling victim to towing fraud.

3. Deal With the Towing Operator Intelligently

If you have not yet called for a towing service and are offered help by a passing tow truck, you should immediately raise your guard. Although the towing truck may be from a reputable company, you should not take any risks. Tell the towing operator politely that you don’t need any assistance for now or that help is already on the way.

4. Don’t Let Your Car Out Of Sight

Do not let the towing operator take your car as long as they do not provide a printed, authentic invoice. The invoice should have a complete breakdown of charges, including the towing fee and storage fee. You should also know where the operator is towing your car.

5. Match the Company Logo

Always match the company logo on the towing vehicle with that on the operator’s uniform and the provided documentation to be sure the help is from a reliable company.

6. Do Not Give Out Personal Data

One of the major reasons why towing fraud has become so common is that people give out too much of their personal information. You should NEVER give out your personal information as long as you don’t have the assurance that it is safe to do so.

Summary

​You can stay protected from towing fraud if you are educated enough in terms of your insurance policy and towing services and are mindful of the possible fraudulent practices. 

Car owners can relate to the importance of car maintenance. No one likes to drive a car that is covered with a thick blanket of dust or which proudly boasts bird droppings throughout its body. Now imagine your car breaking down, would you like the towing company to see the condition in which your car is? Maintaining your car is an art and only those who have mastered this art wear the badge of driving an attractive car that makes every head turn. You might be surprised to know that taking care of a car is not rocket science. You only have to take care of a few things and voila, your car is as good as new.

Washing your car is a tedious task. At times, you will have to sacrifice your entire Sunday afternoon trying to brush off the signs of dust from the car's body. But, at the end of the day, it is totally worth it. In this article, we have a look at some car cleaning tips to ensure that your car looks like a gleaming, new model straight out of a car showroom.

3 Best Car Cleaning Tips

1. What Time is it Right Now?

When it comes to washing your car, the most important thing to consider is the time of the day. Washing your car when the sun is at its peak will not be beneficial for you. This is because the blazing heat of the sun will evaporate the water you used for washing the car. The sun will also end up leaving grimy residue on your car's body. Cars that have dark-colored bodies will end up absorbing more heat. This, in turn, will not only make the car's body too hot to touch, but it will also affect the chemicals used for polishing and waxing the car.

2. Clean the Inside

Before you clean the outside of the car, you must pay attention to cleaning the car's insides. Use a handheld vacuum cleaner to thoroughly clean the interior of the car. Also, don't forget to check under the car's seats to make sure that you are not throwing any valuable thing away.

3. Begin the Cleaning Process

Once you have cleaned the interior, now is the time to clean the body of the car. First, wash your car with clean water. This step is important to remove any dirt from the body of the car. Then, use a car washing solution to wash the car - don't go with household detergents as they might be bad for your wax layer. Start the cleaning from the roof of the car and then come all the way down. Make sure that you haven't left any part.

When it comes to waxing, it is not necessary to apply the car wax every time you wash the car. This is because most of the car wash solutions contain the wax as well, so you don't have to repeat the procedure again.

Summary

Car maintenance is important for the long life of your car as it prevents your car from breaking down in the middle of the road, forcing you make a call for assistance. In the same manner, washing your car on a regular basis is also important to make sure that your car looks as good as new. 

If the Angry Hurricane Harvey cat could speak, he'd tell you how awful it is to get stuck on a flooded street and then make all the way to your home. The problems created by a hurricane are hard to list down - there are just too many. While we talk about flooded streets and blocked roads, we often forget to talk about people getting stuck in floodwater.
Thanks to global warming - and our lack of action - hurricanes can now occur at any time. And your likelihood of getting stuck in floodwater is quite high. In this article, we'll explain what you should and shouldn't do in case you face this unavoidable situation.

Tips to Save Yourself When You Are Stuck in Floodwater

Even though it is always advisable to call for help in case you find yourself stuck in any kind of weather and at any place, there are a few safety tips that you ought to follow to avoid serious damage. The first step is to take a different route if your regular route has been flooded.

1. Don't Stay in a Flooded Car

If your car is surrounded by floodwater or is submerged in the water, don't panic. Once the vehicle is full of water, the doors will open on their own. Step out of the vehicle and try to move to higher ground. In any case, don't think about staying inside the car. Even if you think that the water level is going down, don't rush to your car. The water level can rise quickly and without warning. Your best bet is to wait for a towing truck to tow your car to a safe place.  

2. Don't Walk into Moving Water

If you are stuck in a building, don't leave. Being in a building is much better than entering the flood zone. This is because moving water is dangerous and can knock you down instantly, leading to severe injuries. Another reason for avoiding contact with floodwater is that floodwater is laced with all kinds of contaminants. It may contain raw sewage, oil, or gasoline. Due to fallen power lines, floodwater can lead to electrocution.

3. Be Informed

Keep listening to your radio throughout your journey to have an understanding of which routes to avoid.

After the Flood

Roads and walkways often turn slippery after the flood. Drive carefully and at slow speed. If the roads are still flooded, avoid the area as the standing water may be electrically charged. After the flood, it is common for even wild animals to wander on the road in search of shelter. You only have to be a little careful while driving. Don't panic if you see a wild animal.

Summary

​Every year, hundreds of people get seriously injured due to thunderstorm-related incidents. While flash floods are a serious concern, you have to take the right approach to deal with it.

Oh, the frustration of having your car broken down in the middle of the road. You were excited to go to your ancestral lake house to spend some quality time over the weekend, but now you are stranded under the hot sun all by yourself. While you cannot really do anything about it, the only option you are left with is to work out a way to get yourself out of the situation.
You are no car expert and cannot magically repair your car in a few minutes. So, the best bet you have is to call for a towing company so that they can take you to a safe location. But before you call a towing company, you should know the possible questions that they can ask you. In this article, we'll have a look at a few things you need to tell a towing company.

Questions Commonly Asked by a Towing Company

Typically, whenever you call a towing company, you will need to provide them with the following information.

1. Location

The first question that a representative from a towing company will ask you will relate to your location. You must know that for a towing company, pulling a car on a side street is different than towing a car on the highway. This is why you will have to tell your exact location to the towing company so that they can send help accordingly. To determine the exact location, you can refer to the GPS in your car or mobile phone.

2. Insurance Details

In most cases, the payment of a towing company is directly linked to a person's insurance. This is why it is important for you to know the relevant details of your insurance (this may include the policy number, the payment made to date, and the type of coverage).

3. Your Mechanic's Address

If your car is facing serious problems, it is highly likely that it won't start without proper inspection from a mechanic. If you choose to tow your car to your home, you will have to pay the towing charges to get your car towed from your home to the mechanic's shop. To save the double expense, it is better to get your car towed to your mechanic so that you can get your car checked as soon as possible. Keep your mechanic's address nearby so that when the towing company asks where you need to go, you can hand over the address.

4. The Condition of Your Car

​The make and model of your car and its condition will determine the type of towing truck that will be required to tow your car to safety.

Summary

All the details mentioned in the article above will help the towing company assess the level of work required from its side to rescue your car. At the time when you're stressed out, it may seem like a lot of information to give to a company on the phone - you may even get irritated. But all of this will help you get the problem resolved in a timely manner.

The worst thing that can happen to you on a highway is dealing with a flat tire. Regardless of how well-maintained your car, there are certain things that you cannot avoid - and dealing with a flat tire is one of them.
The situation is, undoubtedly, quite dangerous. And since you are on the highway, you are in a more vulnerable position. So, what to do if you encounter the problem of a flat tire in the middle of your journey? Here are a few tips that can help you overcome the situation.

1. Remain Calm

It is indeed difficult to remain calm when you are stranded on a busy highway with no help in sight. However, in your haste, you may end up worsening the already precarious situation.

2. Avoid Tragedy

Suppose you have to go somewhere important. In the middle of your journey, you encounter the problem of a flat tire. Since you have to reach on time, you decide to change the tire on your own. Changing a tire on a busy road is a dangerous thing to do. Since a highway is a signal-free corridor, cars are generally speeding and the chances of a fatal accident are higher. This is why it is important for you to fight the urge to start changing the tire on your own.

3. Call for Help

Instead of taking things in your own hands, it is better to let the professionals do the work. In case of a flat tire, don't waste a second and call a towing company for help. Contrary to the popular belief that these companies only provide towing services, a towing company also change a tire in a quick and safe manner. If you are wondering that calling a towing company is not an option for you since you don't have a spare tire, you don't need to worry. The towing truck will tow your car to the nearest tire shop and then change the tire.

4. Drive Safely

As soon as you realize that you have a flat tire problem, try to slow down your car. Don't slam the brakes as doing so will cause you lose control of your car. Instead, gradually slow down you car and pull over at a safe place away from the speeding traffic.

5. Keep Safe

Now that you have brought your vehicle to a safe side, don't get off the car or try to change the tire. Stay inside the car and wait for help to arrive. Also, leave the indicators of your car on to let the incoming drivers know that you have a problem with your car.

Summary

​Getting a flat tire on a highway is a nightmare. We can understand the helplessness that people normally have when they encounter such a grave problem. Whether or not you know how to change a flat tire, it is better to call for help and let the experts handle the situation. 

The biggest innovation of the 21st century will be electric cars. With so many benefits including low maintenance cost and reduced emissions, electric cars have become the top choice of a majority of people. The surge in the sale of electric vehicles shows that new technology is here to stay.
Laced with the latest technology, electric cars, however, are not free from issues. Like traditional cars, they are also prone to usual wear and tear. This also means that these cars too may breakdown in the middle of the road.
In case where your car betrays you, you can also call for roadside assistance. There are several reasons that may cause your car to break down all of sudden. Have a look at some of them.

1. Dead Battery

The electric battery that powers the engine of electric vehicles is long-lasting. Unlike the battery in a combustion engine vehicle, the battery in electric vehicles uses lithium-ion battery technology. Even though it is long-lasting, it is prone to degradation. New models of electric vehicles are equipped with batteries that are even better, but even these units must be replaced at some time. Older versions of batteries, especially those that have been on the road for longer, take up less charge and even die altogether. The problem of a dead battery can appear anytime and anywhere. So, it may happen that you are driving down the highway in hopes to reach the nearby town for a small-scale picnic only to find that your car is not budging. There is a big possibility that the situation has arisen because of a dead battery. In such a situation, call the towing services to get your vehicle towed safely.

2. Brake Issues

All kinds of vehicles have one thing in common: brake issues. Even though electric vehicles use regenerative braking systems which slow down wear and tear, the brakes are still susceptible to damage which may lead to a breakdown.

3. Low Battery

Electric vehicles are powered by chargeable batteries. Instead of pouring gallons of gas into your car, you have to charge your vehicle. Electric vehicle manufacturers have come a long way since the launch of self-autonomous electric cars and have introduced better versions of car batteries that can go on for a longer period of time on a one-time charge. But this doesn't mean that the car will never trouble you with low charge. Just like traditional cars where you run out of gas, electric cars also face the problem of no battery. This may happen at any time and you may be left all alone trying to figure out what went wrong.

4. Tires

This is the most common problem that almost all car owners face. Your tires are prone to a great deal of wear and tear since they are exposed to the harsh objects present on the road. From a broken glass and the cat's eye devices installed on the road to a small object like a rock, your car's tires can be damaged by anything.

Summary

​This is the list of the problems that you may face when you are driving your electric vehicle. In such situations, always call a towing company for roadside assistance. 

When we talk about towing services, we often mention big RVs and small cars. What we forgot to talk about are the vehicle of the cool guys: the two-wheeler, the motorbike. Yes, riding on a motorbike is a bit dangerous and you are always conscious of losing the balance. But, there are people who have been doing this forever now.
It is safe and fun, and make you look like a superstar. Well, we are not here to convince you to buy a bike, let's not get distracted! However, we recognize the need for talking about roadside safety when a motorbike breaks down. When you embark on a motorbike journey, you have to make sure that you know all the relevant safety tips to deal with any untoward incident.
Motorbike breakdowns are riskier than a car breakdown. Also, the visibility of your motorbike is also quite low because of its small size. However, it doesn't mean that in the event of a motorbike breakdown, you are left alone to do everything on your own. Here are some tips that can help you deal with all kind of unfortunate situations that you can encounter while on the road.

Be Prepared

Before setting outa motorbike journey, it is important to prepare for the journey. A journey by motorcycle inherently poses a risk as the bike cannot provide you with a greater level of protection which you can get while traveling through a car or a bus, for example. In extreme weather conditions, it is even more difficult to travel on the road on a bike. So, it is advisable to keep a poncho with your or a high visibility vest so that you can easily deal with any precarious situation in which you found yourself.   

Remain Calm

An important tip to deal with all kind of situations is to remain calm. Panicking doesn't really help you in any way. So, if your motorcycle breakdowns in the middle of the road, the first thing that you have to do is reduce your speed and pull over. Always aim for the right shoulder, however, if you're on the highway, try not to move from the left to the right shoulder when the high traffic is present. Once you have pulled over, call the towing company for roadside assistance. Many people erroneously believe that a towing company only helps cars and trucks, but they'd be surprised to know that a motorcycle rider can also have the same level of assistance as a motorist traveling via car.

Be More Attentive When It's Dark

For every motorist, having their car broke down in the middle of the road at night is nothing less than a nightmare. However, if you are on a motorcycle, the experience is more haunting for you. This is because you have to rely on minimum light to navigate your way. Also, there are high chances that of other motorists not noticing you. This puts you in a risky situation. The perfect way to tackle this situation is to always keep a high visibility vest with you so that you can at least increase your visibility when stranded on road.

Summary

​Just like car owners, motorcyclists can also avail the services of a towing company when they are betrayed by their vehicles in the middle of a journey