Whether stranded with a flat tire or locked out of your car, roadside assistance can give you peace of mind when needed. Following some simple tips, you can get help from a trustworthy service provider during an emergency.
Prioritize your safety by pulling your vehicle as far off the road as possible and activating your hazard lights. Keep a basic roadside emergency kit in your car, and teach your family what to do in an emergency. Click the Emergency Roadside to learn more.
If your tire goes flat on the road, you can still be safe and sound if you do a few things right away. The first thing is to try to gain or maintain control of the vehicle. Then, make sure to slow down and turn on your emergency flashing lights so other drivers know that you are stopped on the side of the road. If possible, find a flat spot on the shoulder that is still on pavement so you can safely pull over without blocking traffic.
If you have a spare tire in your trunk, it’s a good idea to use it as soon as you can. This will keep you from driving on the flat tire for too long, which can damage the wheel and make the problem even worse. The best way to prevent flat tires from happening in the first place is by regularly checking your tire pressure and inspecting them for uneven or unusual wear.
If you don’t have a spare tire in your trunk, or if you aren’t comfortable changing one on the go, it is wise to call for roadside assistance right away so they can send a mechanic to your location. They will be able to help you with the issue, whether it requires a new tire or just an air pump, and they may be able to fix it on-site rather than towing your car to a repair shop. They can also advise you on how to keep your tires in top shape so they don’t get flat in the future.
Locked Out
One of the most common reasons for drivers to call for roadside assistance involves being locked out of their vehicle. Despite the complexity of the machinery under the hood, modern cars don’t seem to have made a dent in this age-old problem. In fact, many car-related mishaps are still Model-A-era maladies easily avoidable with good habits and prevention tips.
Getting locked out of your vehicle can be frustrating and scary, but the first thing you should do is stay calm and assess the situation carefully. If possible, try to find a safe place to stand while you wait for professional help. Do not attempt to break a window, as this is a dangerous, ineffective strategy that can lead to additional costly damage.
Unintentional Locking: Accidentally locking the keys inside the car can be a frustrating occurrence, especially when you’re in a rush. To avoid this, establish a routine of checking for your keys before you shut the door. You can also use keychain accessories, such as lanyards or brightly colored fobs, to make your keys more visible.
Mechanical Issues: Problems with the car’s door locks or keyless entry systems can also result in a locked out vehicle. If your key fob battery is drained or a lock cylinder malfunctions, specialized services are often necessary for gaining access.
Some car manufacturers now allow drivers to unlock their vehicles remotely using a smartphone app. This nifty feature is not only great for party tricks, but it can also save you from being locked out with the engine running. Check with your automaker to see if your vehicle is equipped with this nifty feature.
When you call for a roadside assistance service, the first thing a technician will do is determine the make and model of your vehicle. This will ensure the right tools and equipment are brought to your location, minimizing damage and providing a faster turnaround. Depending on your car’s technology, a specialist may also recommend or facilitate towing your vehicle to a dealer for specialized repairs. In this case, the quickest and most cost-effective option is to opt for a full roadside assistance package.
Fuel Delivery
Typically offered by towing companies, auto clubs, and specialized roadside assistance providers, fuel delivery services enable motorists to get on-the-spot refueling. This eliminates the need to find and travel to a gas station, which is particularly useful when stranded on highways or in remote locations. In most cases, you can request fuel delivery through a dedicated mobile app or website, specifying the amount and type of gasoline your vehicle needs. Some services may charge an additional service fee for refueling, while others include this cost in the overall price. In either case, it’s important to have a way of paying for the fuel delivered before the service provider leaves your location.
While roadside fuel delivery services are a convenient safety net, proactive measures can help avoid fuel-related emergencies altogether. For example, drivers can keep track of their fuel consumption by utilizing onboard trip computers or fuel consumption calculators to plan refueling stops. Carrying a portable fuel container in their trunk can also ensure that they have a quick, reliable source of energy during long journeys or unforeseen circumstances.
Fuel-related problems can be exacerbated during natural disasters. For instance, hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes can disrupt fuel shipments and damage pipelines, preventing vehicles from accessing regular fuel supplies. In addition, emergency fuel delivery services can provide urgent solutions for refueling trucks and transportation fleets, which are often affected by unforeseen delays in their transport schedules.
Quick, on-demand refueling transforms a stressful situation into a mere inconvenience, allowing drivers to safeguard their day’s commitments. Moreover, it can eliminate the risk of accidents and injuries associated with walking to a gas station in hazardous conditions. In the event that you run out of fuel, pull over and activate your hazard lights to signal other motorists. When the service provider arrives, follow their instructions and stay inside your vehicle to minimize traffic congestion and the potential for spills and leaks. It’s also important to remain mindful of safety precautions when transferring fuel from a portable container into your vehicle tank. Remember to take your time, wear rubber gloves, and be careful not to touch any surfaces in the vehicle.
Battery Jump-Start
A dead battery can be a real emergency. If you don’t have a jump box, getting your vehicle back on the road usually requires a jump from another working car or a friend with a car battery and some jumper cables. Jumping a vehicle is relatively simple, but there are some important safety steps to follow to ensure the safety of yourself and those helping.
First, have your friend pull their vehicle close enough to yours so the jump cables can reach between both batteries. Position the cars nose-to-nose or side-by-side. Then put both vehicles in park or neutral and open the hoods. Locate each car’s battery and note that the positive terminal has a “POS” or + on it, and the negative is marked with a black clamp.
Connect the red jumper cable to the positive terminal on the working vehicle’s battery and the other end of the cable to the negative terminal on the dead car battery. Avoid connecting the black clip to a metal component of either vehicle, as this could cause a dangerous spark.
Before attempting to start the engine, make sure there are no leaks from either the working or dead vehicle battery or engine. Hydrogen gas from these areas can be explosive and pose a serious safety risk.
After the cables are connected, start the engine in the working vehicle and allow it to idle for about five or ten minutes to give the dead battery time to charge. Then try to start the engine in the dead vehicle. If the vehicle still doesn’t start, contact State Farm to get help from a professional.
It’s important to do a battery replacement in your vehicle on a regular basis, and especially after it experiences a deep discharge. In addition, you should always keep a jump box in your trunk for those unexpected emergencies. This way, you’ll be able to quickly bring your vehicle back on the road without having to wait for an assistance service. It also helps to have the proper equipment and tools at hand, such as a tire jack or a tow dolly, to safely change a flat tire on your own.
