While needing a tow is something that most of us will experience at one point or another, there are ways to help reduce the chances that you will need one. Here are 7 ways you can reduce the chance you will need a tow.
1. Keep Gas in Your Car
Seems simple, right? It is. But, we forget, or get too busy, too rushed, and somehow run out of gas. The first step to keeping a running car is gas. Here are a few ways you can ensure you keep gas in your car.
2. Check The Essentials When You Stop for Gas
You are sitting at a gas station waiting for the gas to pump into your car. Instead of looking at Facebook, look at your car. Here is a short list of things to look for while you are waiting for the gas to pump.
And while you are at it, why not clean the glass of your car? Extra visibility never hurt anyone.
3. Get a Regular Tune Up
Take your car in from time to time and get a tune up. Depending on the mileage and age of your car, this can be anything from an oil change and multi-point inspection to replacing every fluid in your car and replacing hoses, timings chains, and many other things. Most cars from around 2008 and newer only need the oil changed every 5-6k miles, or when the car tells you. Cars older than that, stick with the every 3k mile rule. If you are unsure, check your vehicles owner's manual in the maintenance section.
4. Learn How to Change a Tire
In today's world we have become so dependent on machines and technology that we no longer realize we need to prepare for things until its too late. Changing a tire is one of those things we should prepare for. Take the time to learn how to change a tire so that if you are stranded on the side of the road without any roadside assistance coverage, you can take care of it yourself. Once you learn how it will only take 10 to 15 minutes to change. That is how long it will take most roadside assistance services or towing services to reach you.
Another thing to learn is how to jump start your vehicle. If you know how to do this, you can get any other vehicle nearly to help stop and pop their hood for five minutes so you can get on your way.
5. Have a Spare Tire
So, you've learned how to change a tire, and you just changed it. This means you no longer have a spare tire. Immediately go to a tire shop to get the tire you took off repaired or replaced and put your spare back where it belongs… ready and waiting for the next emergency. However, if you replace your flat tire, only to get another on the way to the tire shop, then rest assured you were meant to meet the tow truck operator you will inevitably meet.
6. Keep Basic Tools in Your Car
If you hope to avoid paying for a tow, then some simple tools can really help you. We are not saying you need to keep a few tool box, but some tools are advised. Here are 7 things you should keep in your car.
With these basic tools in your car, you can get yourself out of many jams you may find yourself in.
7. Help Out Others You Find Stranded
You may be wondering how this will help you stay away from needing a tow. We have discovered a couple of things this kind act can do for you.
If you couldn't tell, we are big believers in doing for other what we want done for us. If we can all help each other out this way, we would be much better for it.
To learn more, continue browsing through our webiste and blog. We will add posts int he future, so stay tuned. You can also sign up for future updates here.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. We will be back soon!
1. Keep Gas in Your Car
Seems simple, right? It is. But, we forget, or get too busy, too rushed, and somehow run out of gas. The first step to keeping a running car is gas. Here are a few ways you can ensure you keep gas in your car.
- Get gas on a schedule. Every Monday, or every third day. Even if you still have half a tank, stop for gas anyway. Make it part of your schedule.
- Set a point on your gas gauge that you do not go below. At a quarter tank, or a half tank stop for gas. This will prevent you from running your tank to E on Friday, and then running late on Monday and running out.
- Keep 3-5 gallons of gas in your garage. If you have a tendency to run low a lot, you may consider this. Just be sure to use it periodically so the gas does not deteriorate over time and cause other engine problems.
2. Check The Essentials When You Stop for Gas
You are sitting at a gas station waiting for the gas to pump into your car. Instead of looking at Facebook, look at your car. Here is a short list of things to look for while you are waiting for the gas to pump.
- Check your tires. You do not have to put a tire pressure cause on every wheel (although occasionally this won't hurt). Simply walk around your car and spot check your tires. How is the tread? Do any of them look like they are lower than the others?
- Check your engine oil. This may not be necessary if you are in a brand new car, but once your car in a few years old, this is a good practice. You never know when your car may start showing the effects of aging.
- Check for any debris. Is there anything hanging from the underside eof your car? Is there anything blocking your air intake?
- Pop the hood, and spot check the hoses, and cleanliness of the engine compartment? Does there appear to be any fluid leaks?
And while you are at it, why not clean the glass of your car? Extra visibility never hurt anyone.
3. Get a Regular Tune Up
Take your car in from time to time and get a tune up. Depending on the mileage and age of your car, this can be anything from an oil change and multi-point inspection to replacing every fluid in your car and replacing hoses, timings chains, and many other things. Most cars from around 2008 and newer only need the oil changed every 5-6k miles, or when the car tells you. Cars older than that, stick with the every 3k mile rule. If you are unsure, check your vehicles owner's manual in the maintenance section.
4. Learn How to Change a Tire
In today's world we have become so dependent on machines and technology that we no longer realize we need to prepare for things until its too late. Changing a tire is one of those things we should prepare for. Take the time to learn how to change a tire so that if you are stranded on the side of the road without any roadside assistance coverage, you can take care of it yourself. Once you learn how it will only take 10 to 15 minutes to change. That is how long it will take most roadside assistance services or towing services to reach you.
Another thing to learn is how to jump start your vehicle. If you know how to do this, you can get any other vehicle nearly to help stop and pop their hood for five minutes so you can get on your way.
5. Have a Spare Tire
So, you've learned how to change a tire, and you just changed it. This means you no longer have a spare tire. Immediately go to a tire shop to get the tire you took off repaired or replaced and put your spare back where it belongs… ready and waiting for the next emergency. However, if you replace your flat tire, only to get another on the way to the tire shop, then rest assured you were meant to meet the tow truck operator you will inevitably meet.
6. Keep Basic Tools in Your Car
If you hope to avoid paying for a tow, then some simple tools can really help you. We are not saying you need to keep a few tool box, but some tools are advised. Here are 7 things you should keep in your car.
- Jumper Cables
- Screw Driver (Flat Tip and Phillips)
- Lug Wrench
- Jack
- Jack Stand(s)
- Multi-purpose wrench
- Small Hammer
With these basic tools in your car, you can get yourself out of many jams you may find yourself in.
7. Help Out Others You Find Stranded
You may be wondering how this will help you stay away from needing a tow. We have discovered a couple of things this kind act can do for you.
- It will give you practice. If you help out others, you will get practice for when your car breaks down. What is bad about that?
- Many times, when you stop to help someone, they will find it easier for themselves to stop to help someone else. Who knows? The person they stop to help out may just end up stopping to help you in the future.
If you couldn't tell, we are big believers in doing for other what we want done for us. If we can all help each other out this way, we would be much better for it.
To learn more, continue browsing through our webiste and blog. We will add posts int he future, so stay tuned. You can also sign up for future updates here.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. We will be back soon!
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