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Auto Maintenance: Choosing One Repair Shop

One of the things I learned from my dad is that it pays to find a good auto repair shop and stick with it. True enough, I have tried using more than one shop, based on what I needed done to my car. Every time, I found myself going back to one shop that knew my car and the car's history. I had found that shop not too long ago. They had offered help with everything from rebuilding engines to dent repair. The shop is located near my home, and they keep records that went back for years. Thanks to the long history, they always knew what to do when something was not working as it should. If you think that finding one shop to meet all your needs is a good idea, let me help. With a little effort, you'll know exactly where to take your vehicle any time it needs some work.

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Auto Maintenance: Choosing One Repair Shop

So, Your Car Broke Down and You've Called a Tow Truck—Now What?

by Noelle Snyder

You are exposing yourself to a certain amount of risk when you get behind the wheel of a vehicle and start driving. Bad things happen all the time and can occur when you least expect it. This includes anything from a car accident to a flat tire. Towing services can help you get back on your feet. When you're stranded on the side of the road, here are five things that you need to do once you've called a towing service:

1. Move Your Vehicle away from the Traffic.

First and foremost, you need to get your vehicle moved away from the moving traffic as far as you possibly can. This is, of course, assuming that you didn't get into an accident keeping you from moving your vehicle and that it is actually possible to do so. This helps to prevent any future accidents while you're stuck on the side of the road.

2. Switch Your Hazard Lights On.

Regardless of whether you have been able to successfully relocate your vehicle off of the roadway, you need to make sure that your hazard lights are turned on and are flashing. This ensures that other drivers on the road are informed that your vehicle is broken down or otherwise disabled. It can also help speed up the process of the tow driver finding you.

3. Place Reflective Triangles and Flares around Your Vehicle.

If you have reflective cones, triangles and flares in the vehicle, then you need to place these around your vehicle. This is particularly true if you have been unable to move your vehicle from the highway. At least one should be placed in front of your vehicle and one behind your vehicle. Any additional cones that you have should be placed along the side of your vehicle. This, like the hazard lights, works to alert drivers on the road that your vehicle is inoperable at the moment.

4. Remain inside the Vehicle.

Now that the car is safe with the hazard lights on and reflective warning signs set-up, you should stay inside your automobile until the towing service arrives on scene. This will keep you out of harm's way from various outside elements and passing vehicles.

5. Get Your Personal Belongings Together.

While you are waiting for the tow truck driver, you should take the time to gather all of your personal belongings. This includes anything from insurance and registration paperwork to cell phones and jewelry. By having this taken care of before the tow truck driver arrives, you will ensure a faster overall process.

Whether you've ran out of gas, your car's battery died or you got into an accident, a towing service is only a phone call away and can provide you with much-needed peace of mind in such an unfortunate situation.

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