5 Guidelines To Avoid Being Towed

When you need towing, it can completely derail your plans for the day. You may be late to work, have to explain your car issues to your boss, and end up with a headache. It’s not the best way to spend your morning, or worse, your evening, especially if it means less time relaxing after a long day.

The good news is you won’t need towing (hopefully) if you stay on top of your car’s maintenance. Preventive service keeps your vehicle running and minimizes the chances of surprise problems.

Here are five ways you can take care of your car:

Inflate Your Spare Tire Regularly

A common reason drivers need towing is because they got a flat tire and they didn’t realize their spare was also flat. When a flat is unrepairable and the spare is not usable, you need towing.

You can avoid a situation like this if you make it a point to fill up your spare every time you check the air pressure in your tires.

Replace the Battery Before it Dies

Car batteries usually last three to five years. If your battery dies before that window of time, a jump could bring it back to life. But if it’s reaching its expiration date, check the charge and have a mechanic replace it. It’s better to change a battery before it dies, possibly leaving you stranded.

Check Your Brakes

Don’t ignore that squeaking noise or the vibrating, grinding feeling coming from the brake pedal. Get your brakes checked right away. The pads might be worn, and replacing them before they wear away completely can help prevent more extensive damage to the rotors and help you avoid accidents.

Get Filters Inspected

A stalling engine could mean your fuel filter is clogged. In fuel injection engines, you need to regularly replace the fuel filter, the component that cleans out impurities from the gasoline. This should be changed every two years or 24,000 miles. Have a mechanic check the wear and tear on the fuel filter at your next service appointment.

Stick to a Regular Oil Change Schedule

Neglecting oil changes is a no-no. Oil changes are cheap and quick to get done, but never changing the oil can create multiple expensive engine issues. Whatever your manufacturer recommends, make sure your car gets an oil change on time so you don’t need towing because of engine trouble.

Do you know who to call when your car conks out? Stauffer’s Towing is available 24 hours a day, seven days per week, making it the first choice for Utah motorists who need towing.