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Tips For Keeping Your Tires In Good Condition

The tires are one of the most important features of your car. If you have ever had to buy new tires, know how expensive they can be. Although they were built for a limited time, you can take steps to extend the life of your tires and keep them in good condition for as long as possible. Tire maintenance not only improves fuel consumption and saves money on spare tires, but can also help prevent dangerous conditions and tire failures. If you find that your tires are empty, have inflated tires or if the tread pattern shows uneven wear, have a specialist check them immediately.

Keep them well inflated.

One of the most common ways to keep a tire in good condition is to maintain the correct air pressure. Turn this activity into a routine and do it regularly. And this is also very important if you want to make long car trips. In the summer months, check the tire pressure when the tires are cold so that the indoor air expands when the tires are hot so you can get a different reading. If you inflate the tires to the recommended PSI value, the tires will remain in better condition and uneven tread wear will be avoided. Check the sidewall of the tire or the manufacturer’s label on the door to obtain the required PSI. The vehicle manual also contains instructions on recommended tire sizes and air pressure. Do not decide if a tire is properly inflated when looking at it. Also, do not rely on air pumps for accurate pressure readings. Then, if you feel uncomfortable pumping the air at the correct pressure, take the vehicle to a service station. Fill the tires to the correct limit. Some service stations offer this service for free. Others charge a small amount.

If the tires are inflated below, inflate them to the level shown on the vehicle license plate, which is usually located at the edge of the driver’s door. Check your blood pressure regularly, especially in cold climates. If the tires are inflated, fuel consumption may decrease, but unsafe driving conditions may also occur. The more you drive with slightly inflated tires, the weaker they become. Your tires may no longer be ready to roll. Save money and extend the life of your tires by doing this simple maintenance.

When should you check your tires?

Regular maintenance of car tires saves money, improves vehicle handling and increases safety. The tires must be changed every two oil changes. In other words, the tires must move to a different position in the car. This ensures that the tires wear evenly and achieve maximum life. It is recommended that you get used to checking them every month. It only takes five minutes. Remember to also check the spare part! We also recommend checking the tires before a long trip. It is important to maintain the correct pressure. Refer to the operating instructions to make sure you know the correct tire pressure. When checking the pressure, make sure the tires are cold. The pressure increases as the tires get hot while driving. This will result in false advertising. Do not overload the tire.

Keep the wheels well aligned.

Uneven tire wear can be caused by misalignment of the front or rear wheels. It could also be due to the poor balance of the tires. Visually inspect your tires every month. In case of uneven tire wear, take the vehicle to the tire dealer for expert advice. If you notice extremely rapid profile wear, this may also be due to misalignment. Misalignment during driving can cause the vehicle to pull or vibrate. If you notice uneven wheel wear, you should also spin the wheels. Contact your tire dealer if you have any questions about tire misalignment, balance and rotation. If you end up with a blowout Leahy’s Towing is here to help. Keep our contact nearby for when you need it.

Avoiding Tire Blowouts

Suffering from a tire blowout while we are in the middle of driving can be extremely dangerous. Therefore, we must take all the precautions at hand to avoid it from happening.

Towing experts from Leahy’s Towing wrote a guide to help you avoid a tire blowout.

Keep the Right Pressure on your Tires

Maintaining proper tire pressure is essential for our safety. Neither under nor above recommended levels. You can consult the exact amount of pressure for your tires on the vehicle user guide, as not all tires work with the same levels.

Check tire pressure before each time you drive your vehicle. Use a pressure gauge for this task and it can be filled if you need to at a gas station air compressor.

Importance of Tire Pressure

Filling our tires causes the rubber to stretch out due to the excess of air. Leaving a weaker tire. On the other hand, under-inflated tires may blowout as they easily overheat.

Overloaded Vehicles

At any time we can exceed the maximum weight capacity of our vehicles. This situation could lead to a tire suddenly blowing out.

Verify how much weight can your vehicle take before you embark on a long trip. Besides, don’t do moving trips if your load is too heavy. Rent a moving truck instead.

Driving at High Speed

Speeding compromises the integrity of your tires. A tire can blowout due to excessive heat when you are driving at high speeds. Additionally, it may cause a sudden drop in tire pressure, which could lead to blowouts, especially in older tires.

Age and Quality

Another way to avoid suffering from a tire blowout is being aware of their use. Depending on the vehicle, tires last from 25,000 to 50,000 miles.

Worn out tires are susceptible to experiencing blowouts. Have them replaced if they have covered the previously mentioned distances.

If you do unfortunately have a blow out. Enlist the help of your local Leahy’s Towing company. We are just a call away.

ESSENTIAL TEEN DRIVER TIPS

Raising a teenage driver should be done in a proper way. It is important to give them the best advice and information in terms of safety. This, in order to teach them how to drive safely. In order to educate you on this matter, we have come up with tips from driving pros.

Stoplight Logic

Teens can get confused if there are more stoplights than the traditional green, yellow, and red. There may be curved or flashing arrows in some lights. Other signs mean that drivers should yield just before turning to the left side. One of the basic steps to teaching your teen to drive safely is to educate him to recognize the stoplights there are on the road.

Long-Distance Trips

It is highly likely that your teen uses the car to drive himself to school and then back home. It is important for them to manage longer driving distances. Driving long distances can cause fatigue and a hypnotic effect on a person. For this reason, you should let them drive when you have family road trips or other excursions to places far away.

Night Driving

You should also allow them to drive at night when with you at the front passenger seat guiding them. You should take them to the freeway and streets with empty sides. Once they feel comfortable driving around these places, you can be sure they can handle them by themselves. Also, teach them how to turn on the car’s blinkers and beams properly. One important thing to consider is to tell them that by no means should they drive while drunk. Also, that there are dangers implied when driving tired and drowsy. If a teen isn’t paying full attention to driving, it is best for them not to drive at all.

Unfamiliar Areas

Having a map with them is a good way to teach when how and where to drive. Driving should be steady and they should be taught how to read a map and drive at the same time.

Let them know the best professional towing companies for cases of emergency. Its always good to have the number of a towing service onhand. Leahy’s Towing is one to trust.

SIGNS OF TRANSMISSION ISSUES

Car transmissions issues can get bad pretty quickly. The downside to having them is that they can become expensive to repair in the long run. Also, they can be dangerous for people who are going in the car. It is beneficial to know how to spot transmission issues in your car. The following are common transmission issues many owners may have to deal with:

Fluid Leaking

There may be fluid stains beneath the car. A possible cause of this is having a gap in the transmission system. The leak may come from either the torque converter seal, the pan gasket, or the fluid lines. You can recognize fluid leaking because the stains are normally green or red.

Clucking sounds

If you shift gears and there are clucking sounds, there may be the possibility of your car having transmission issues. In case you hear them, please go to a car mechanic for help.

Burning Smell

This sign can be dangerous. It may be caused by transmission oil overheating in the car`s transmission box. Help should be sought immediately if you notice a burning smell in your car.

Gear Grinding Signs

These ones depend on whether your car is automatic or manual. If it is automatic when there is a change in the RMP and there is a pulling feeling when changing gears. Gears can also have grinding and whining sounds. If the car is manual, then, there may be gear grinding sounds that indicate that the clutch has become degraded or the transmission`s synchronizers have broken.

Car Noise When in Neutral Position

If your car is in neutral position and you hear bumping sounds, then your transmission may be failing. This can be traced to a lack of transmission fluid. If there is car noise when in neutral position and the transmission fluid is not empty, then you should take your car to the mechanic.

Leahy’s Towing can come to your rescue if you have transmission issues that cause your car to fail. Call us for more information.

HOW NOT TO GET YOUR CAR STUCK IN DIRT OR SAND

Driving in rough roads can be bothersome sometimes especially if you are not aware of the potential challenges that you might face ahead. While bumpy roads cannot be avoided, you can do a lot of things to repudiate your vehicle from getting stuck in dirt or sand. For those who are curious how, here’s what the vehicle recovery experts at Leahy’s Towing say.

1) Check the road first

The best thing you can do to avoid muddy and sandy roads is to check it ahead. Before driving, inspect the road and look at its condition. Check if there is any hazard so that you can plan your driving approach.

2) Have a steady momentum

You don’t need to drive fast, just keep it slow and have a steady momentum. In this way, even if you encounter mud, dirt, or sand, you have full control of your vehicle. Remember not to drive with full gear when driving. Let your wheels make traction. Low gear is ideal only for sandy roads.

3) Do not follow curves

Aim to drive straight, If you can avoid curves, do it as much as possible. Curves can lead you to get stuck. Have a pre-map of your path and look for a straight line where you can drive.

4) Drive with deflated tires

If you are aware of rough roads ahead, then it’s best to deflate your tires before driving. Deflated tires connect more with the deep mud or dirt and in return produce more traction.

5) Avoid using your breaks

Slow down and avoid using your breaks. If you are on a muddy road, let your vehicle stop naturally do it won’t get stuck too deep.

6) Know the direction of your wheels

Ruts sometimes lead your wheels. Always be aware of the direction of your tires so you would know how to avoid ruts.

If you get stuck and need the help of a professional towing company. Call us at Leahy’s Towing to get a tow.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 2, 4 AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE

The drivetrain is basically how a car vehicle manifests power to its wheels which makes all the difference as you’re driving on rough roads or in unstable weather conditions. Experts at Leahy’s Towing will be providing information on the basic differences between the drivetrains of 2, 4 and all-wheel drives in the following:

2 Wheel Drive

With either front or rear varieties, you can find that majority of cars today have front-wheel drives. A characteristic of the front wheel is that it allows improved traction in unstable rainy conditions and they generally have more interior space compared to that of rear-wheel drives. With rear-wheel drives, on the other hand, these provide adequate traction and weight specifically for vehicles that have a heavy rear load such as trucks.

4 Wheel Drive

This provides adequate traction. However, it may cause problems upon driving on normal roads. The vehicle’s wheels have a possibility of turning at different speeds to make room for turning distances. 4 Wheel drive vehicles have the characteristic of automatically or manually locking the ‘center differential.’ This is to give equal amounts of torque to both the front and the back axles of the wheels which happens to be perfect for unstable roads or critical weathers but not for normal roads. These vehicles also give high multiplied power low gears for the purpose of being able to climb up steep conditions and obstacles.

All Wheel Drive

These cars provide power to all 4 wheels automatically when the roads are slippery or when quick acceleration is present. Torque levels can vary depending on the wheels, however this function is automatically applied most of the time. This is also the perfect option for drivers who need extra traction in cases of rain or snow, but don’t intend on doing any “off-roading.”

A professional towing company knows the difference in these types of vehicles and take great care when towing your vehicle. If you want to learn more about how the drive type affect towing get in contact with us for more help.

The 3 Top Places To Await Towing After A Breakdown

When your car breaks down on the road there are obvious risks, with the potential dangers increasing as the traffic increases and the road becomes bigger – breaking down on the highway would be the worst nightmare for anyone!

However, breakdowns are normal if you own a vehicle, and there is always a possibility that it can happen to you or any driver at any time. Should this happen, you may require to get the vehicle towed so that it can be fixed, and then you can drive home!

Reacting appropriately in case of a vehicle breakdown is not that easy, especially if it is your first time, so it is critical to know where to steer your car to. By doing this you can safely contact and wait for your towing service to arrive!

The Right Shoulder

The standard practice for any road user on a highway whose vehicle breaks down is to move as far as possible on the right shoulder.

Once you get to the farthest point you can on your right shoulder, stay in your car and call your local tow service or motorist club, and wait for them to show up.

Stay Where You Are

This may not be the most convenient situation to be in while waiting for a tow after your vehicle malfunctions. If you are unable to coast your car safely to the right of the road, just remain at your spot.

Turn on your hazard indicator but AVOID leaving the vehicle at all, this will only increase the amount of danger you are in.

Off the Road

On less busy roads, you are capable of moving off the road, or in some cases as far as you can from the shoulder. Since the roads here have very few vehicles, you might be able to navigate your car away from the road to the farthest point possible.

Then get in touch with a towing professional service. Here’s a number to call.

Six Steps To Safely Jump Start Your Car

Step One

Make sure that both cars are parked (neutral) and the ignition is turned off while they are parked close to one another. Open the trunk on both cars and check to make sure the jumper cables are able to reach both of the engines.

Step Two

Take the red (positive)cable and attach one of the ends to your car’s battery’s positive terminal before you attach it with the same terminal on the other car’s working battery. It is easy to recognize them by the + or POS displayed on the battery. s to the negative terminal, it also should be noticeably bigger.

Step Three

Take the black (negative) cable and attach it with the working battery’s negative terminal.

Step Four

Use the same black cable to attach the other end to a metal material on your car that is not too close to the battery. It could be struck, bracket, bolt or jump-start pole. However, not every vehicle has these poles.

At this point, the main point is to ensure that the black cable is just connected with the negative terminal on the working battery and make sure that the other end is connected to a metal fixture that is not too close to the dead battery on your car.

Step Five

Turn the engine on for the working car, and allow it to run on its own for a moment.

Step Six

Now try to start your car. If all goes well your engine will start. If it doesn’t, make sure you double-check the connections on the cables and let the working engine run for another 5-10 minutes before you try again.

If that still doesn’t work, then there is a good chance that you need to get a new battery, so there is, unfortunately, no quick fix but Leahy’s Towing can help with your towing needs. Give us a call today!

How You Can Open Your Car If You Are Locked Out

1. The Traditional Manual Way

If the car locks are operated by small buttons on the window ledge, you can utilize a straightened coat hanger to open the car door. Create a small hook on one side and direct the straightened hanger into the rubber that covers the window’s side. Then after you hit the door button, hook it with the hanger and pull upwards.

2. Through the Trunk

In some vehicles, you can access the car through the trunk by moving the back seats. This can be an option to unlock the car if you have easy access to the car’s trunk. It is also recommended that you have your car spare key hidden safely in the trunk.

3. Seek Professional Technicians, like a Tow Company

You will require to engage an emergency lockout service if your car has locks that are set back into the door handle. Your only option is to contact a professional, for instance, a towing company that provides lockout services since a majority of the time using a wire hanger or screwdriver can cause additional damage or injury.

4. Buy a New Remote Opener

Many new cars have electronic door openers or digital keys that do not permit the driver to lock the doors when the keys are inside the vehicle. But, this can be a problem since misplacing the gadget means seeking replacement which will cost a lot and take some days.

5. Look for the Override Switch

If you have an electronic door opener, you can still be able to open the car, but if it is misplaced outside the vehicle, your ignition may fail to work in its absence. Some vehicles have override switches for such instances so confirm if you can start the vehicle in the absence of the opener by checking the override switch – if one exists.

You may need to enlist a professional tow company if your keys are locked up and your car is in an area where you can be fined. Call us as soon as you need to

How To Stay Safe When Your Car Breaks Down

When your car breaks down you need to do a few things to keep safe. Some of these things are listed below.

1. Get To The Side Of The Road

Your first priority has to be getting to the side of the road. Even if this means pushing the car, do not stay in the direct line of traffic. More specifically, try to move to the shoulder of the road while the car is still moving. And only when safe to do so and without causing an accident.

2. Inform Other Drivers

In order to avoid a potential accident, make a point to put on the hazards of the car. The hazards will communicate that the car is stationary and you are having problems.

3. Only Exit Car When Safe

If you want to inspect what is wrong with the car, it means you have to get out. But do not put yourself in danger to do the check. For example, when there is oncoming traffic at fast speeds, it is best to stay put until the traffic has passed.

4. Use Extra Precaution

In addition to putting on the hazards, you can use emergency traffic signs and flares to help give other drivers a fair warning. These are especially helpful if the weather conditions are bad, such as driving in misty or foggy conditions. Because there is a good chance your hazards will not be enough.

5. Call For Help

Most people are not able to fix their cars when they break down in the middle of nowhere. Hence the reason for calling professionals to drive out and help you.

6. Keep An Emergency Kit

It is always recommended to keep an emergency kit in the car, just in case you have to wait for help to arrive. The kit should include things like water, blankets, flashlights, and snacks that won’t easily get spoiled if possible. It is important to stay safe and be prepared.

Have Leahy’s Towing be your backup. Keep our contact close, in case you need a professional towing service