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PREPARE FOR WINTER DRIVING EMERGENCIES WITH THESE 6 TIPS
Admin • Dec 28, 2017
Getting stranded on the side of the road, or even in a parking lot, is never less fun than in the middle of winter. Sadly, snowy weather and cold temperatures only make car trouble more likely. Though you cannot guarantee you won't run into an emergency situation on the road this winter, there are a few preventative steps you can take to decrease the risk - and to ensure you're prepared if such an emergency does arise.
1. Replace Your Tires If Needed
Old, bald tires make it harder to stop in snowy weather and may result in your car getting stuck in a ditch. Before winter hits with full force, check your tire tread. Put a penny into the grooves on your tire. Make sure that Lincoln's head is pointed down into the tire. If the tread does not cover the top of Lincoln's head, the tread is too low and you need new tires. You should also replace your tires if they are more than six years old or if you notice any cracks in the rubber.
2. Check Your Brakes
Brake failure could also leave you in a ditch, or worse. Signs that you need your brakes replaced include:
- The brakes make squealing noises when you apply them
- Your car pulls to one side when you brake
- You feel vibration in the pedal when braking
- You have to push the pedal to the floor in order to stop
3. Put Jumper Cables in Your Trunk
Car battery failure is common when the temperature drops. If you have jumper cables in your trunk, a dead battery is downgraded from an emergency to a minor annoyance. Make sure you know how to use the jumper cables, too. Watch a few how-to videos or look for an instruction pamphlet at your local bookstore and stash it in your glove box in case you need it.
4. Assemble an Emergency Kit
In case you do get stranded on the side of the road, you need to ensure you have the right items to keep yourself warm and safe until help arrives. Here are some important items to include:
- Blankets
- A poncho or rain coat
- Duct tape
- A multitool or pocket knife
- Cash for gas or other necessities
- A basic first aid kit
5. Invest in a Car Charger
If you do not already have a cellphone charger for your car, purchase one now. They are only a few dollars, and they ensure you're able to call for help in an emergency, rather than sit on the side of the road stuck with a dead phone battery.
6. Look up Local Towing Companies
Take a few minutes to research towing companies in your area, and save a few phone numbers of good ones. This way, if you do become stranded on the side of the road this winter, you won't have to waste time searching for a towing company on your phone; you'll know just who to call.
With the tips above, you'll be more prepared for any winter driving emergency. If you ever need a tow in the Dearborn area, contact Rusko Service Center. We offer roadside assistance seven days a week.
If your car has a dead battery, jump-starting the car could get you back on the road quickly. Read this blog fora basic guide to jump-starting a car.
The moment you see your car keys sitting in your car and realize that the doors are locked, you may wonder what you need to do to gain access to your car and retrieve your keys. Here are the steps you should follow if you have locked your keys in your vehicle.
Whether you drive a semi-trailer or a commercial box truck, road safety is likely one of your top priorities. Tires are at particular risk on large vehicles that travel long distances. A blowout at highway speeds can lead to roll-overs, damage to your truck or nearby passenger vehicles, and injuries. You can avoid these problems if you know three common issues that affect your truck's tires.
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If you're a contractor who runs your own business, your goals are to make customers happy, grow your business, and increase your profits. And if you're like most contractors, you rely on one or more vehicles to reach your service customer. Your vehicle transports you, your employees, and important gear and tools to a job site. Your business flow suffers if you're unable to reach that customer when vehicular emergency grounds you. So learn about three compelling reasons contractors need emergency roadside assistance.
The trucking industry continues to steadily grow and generated over $700 billion in 2017. This type of growth combined with the nature of trucking only means an increased potential for accidents among truckers. Trucking accidents block or snarl traffic, cause damage to goods in transit, and cause injury and fatalities to passengers. Rollover accidents account for a mere 3.3% of truck accidents, but this dramatic crash type causes more than half of fatalities. These staggering statistics highlight the need for increased trucker awareness of how to prevent a rollover scenario. Take a look at how to avoid these three surprising causes of semi-truck rollovers.
One of the biggest reasons people get stranded is tire issues. Since you never really know when your tires may cause you to be stranded, problems can put you in a dangerous position. Therefore, you want to do your best to prevent tire problems to the best of your ability. The information below will help guide you through checking for tire related problems, help you keep your tires in better shape, and educate you on what to do if you experience tire issues while you are driving.
When you're moving within the 48 contiguous United States, transporting your belongings by road is usually the best option regardless of the amount of distance between your current house and final destination. Moving certain items by ground for long distances, however, can be difficult. For many homeowners, vehicles can present particularly tricky transportation challenges during a move, especially when the household has several personal vehicles and any additional recreational vehicles. In this situation, you have to determine how best to get your moving truck and your truck, car, SUV, boat, or RV to your new home. Long-haul towing services can provide you with the perfect solution to this dilemma. In this blog, we provide you with the information you need to decide if towing is the right choice for moving with your vehicle.
Although engines naturally produce a lot of heat, excessive heat underneath the hood of your commercial truck can increase the risk of engine damage. Due to long-distance travel, trailer trucks are especially prone to overheating. Whether you are experiencing an overheating situation with your engine or you want to take precautions and avoid engine trouble, here is a quick guide to help you understand the reasons why your truck's engine could overheat and how you can deal with this problem.
The fact that your child is now old enough to drive is a scary concept to embrace, but once your child has a taste of the open road, you can't do much to hold them back. However, you can do a lot when it comes to keeping your child safe on the road. Whether you are planning to buy a car for your child or they will drive your vehicle, address these important safety tips before handing over the keys.
Deer mating season is over in Michigan, but that does not mean that drivers can relax. Unfortunately, wildlife collisions are a threat any time of the year, and many accidents happen during the summer months when people spend more time in rural areas to take in the gorgeous views. Whether you've lived around wildlife all your life or are hoping to catch your first view of a live deer in the wild, use these tips to prevent a dangerous collision with animals on the road.
An unexpected breakdown can catch anyone off guard. Fortunately, you can always call for a tow truck to transport your vehicle to the nearest shop. In the meantime, it'll take some time for your tow truck to arrive. To keep yourself and fellow passengers safe, here are a few things you should do while you wait.
Most people don't plan when their car will need to be towed. Your car may not start one day and need to be towed to a mechanic, you may be involved in an accident and need your car towed to a collision center or you may have a tire blowout and need your car towed to a repair shop.
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