Fuel Efficiency Myths You Need to Know

Remember are blog from December about making better gas mileage your 2020 new years’ resolution? Well, how have you done so far? Are you still not happy with your fuel saving efforts? If so, perhaps you, like so many others, have fallen victim to some common fuel efficiency misconceptions.

Continue below to learn the top gas mileage myths circulating through the industry, and perhaps improve your fuel efficiency results!

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Top 5 Gas Mileage Misconceptions:

“Small Cars Get Better Fuel Mileage”

Size has nothing to do with fuel efficiency. Everything under the hood, the materials used to manufacture the vehicle, and proper maintenance are what make vehicles fuel-efficient. Advancements in technology that promote better fuel economy include diesel engines, turbochargers, hybrid drive trains, and low-rolling resistance tires.

“Manual Transmissions Get Better Gas Mileage”

Although true in the past, new advancements in automatic-transmission technology has made this a modern-day myth. More gears have led to less wasted fuel and much more. Whether you choose manual or automatic, fuel efficiency will not be comprised by this decision.

“Old Cars Get Poor Gas Mileage”

A vehicle is really only as old as its engine. And so long as the engine is properly maintained over the years of ownership and use, the gas mileage should not be affected. In fact, there is a vehicle “break-in” period (the first 5,000 miles or so) where the fuel efficiency actually improves, rather than declines!

“Replacing the Air Filter Will Jump-Kick Fuel Economy”

If your car has an older engine with a carburetor still, then this myth is a little true. But fuel economy for modern fuel-injected cars and trucks is not influenced by a singular filter change. Fuel-injected engines delivers lower emissions and improved fuel economy. An onboard computer automatically adjusts the fuel-flow depending on the amount of air entering the engine.

“Premium Fuel Will Improve Gas Mileage”

This will just end up being a waste of money. Premium fuel does not equal better fuel economy. In fact, using a higher-octane fuel will not alter vehicle performance at all. Only use premium gas if your vehicle’s owners’ manual suggests to; otherwise, stick to unleaded.

Are You Out of Gas in Indianapolis, Indiana?

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for friendly 24 hour roadside assistance, including fuel fill-ups, in Indianapolis, or throughout Central Indiana. We open a family-owned and operated business for 90 years, so you can trust us for prompt and professional service. We are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year, so our certified tow truck operators can be there for you anytime, any day! Request free estimates, anytime.

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The Importance of Headlight and Taillight Maintenance

As a regular driver, you should know that any time of year is the perfect time to ensure your vehicle’s headlights and taillights are ready to take on dusky and dark commutes. This is especially important if you have attached trailers to your vehicle. Without properly maintained vehicular lighting, you are putting yourself and other drivers at risk.

Continue reading to learn why automotive headlight and taillight maintenance is beneficial, and what to do if your taillights stop working on the road.

24 Hour Towing and Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484
24 Hour Towing and Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Make Automotive Safety a Priority

In order to see and be seen on the road, it is vital to have properly-functioning lights. This includes headlights, taillights, and even interior lights. If your front and rear lights are not well-maintained, it can prevent you from being able to safely navigate in dusk and nighttime hours. It also inhibits the ability of other drivers to see you on the road. For this reason, proper vehicle lighting is a key factor in automotive safety, not just for yourself, but for others as well.

Exterior vehicle lights are components that sustain daily wear and tear, which is why they require regular maintenance and periodic replacement. Bulbs that are blinking, dim, or burnt out should be replaced immediately. Check your lights on occasion for any of these signs, and make necessary replacements when needed.

Additional Headlight and Taillight Tips:

Be sure your front and rear lights are clean and clear. Use a damp cloth or napkin to wipe away any obstructing material, such as dirt, dust, animal droppings, insects, and mud.

Check the aim of your exterior lights to ensure they are pointed in the right direction. If lights are not aimed properly, they can blind other drivers and hinder your frontal vision on the road.

Use your lights during dusk, twilight, and evening hours, even if you can see just fine. It helps other drivers see you too.

Do not drive too far ahead of your front lights when pulling up behind another vehicle. This creates a blind crash spot in front of your car. Park or idle within your headlight range.

Some states require drivers to turn their headlights on when their windshield wipers are in use. Check with your BMV to see if your state is one of them.

If your tail or headlights burn out while on the road at night, never continue driving. Be sure to pull over to a safe spot and contact a towing company for emergency roadside assistance. If they cannot repair your taillight or headlight issue, they can transport your vehicle to an auto shop, where you can rent a car or call for a ride.

Got Car Troubles in Indy? Call Zore’s Towing!

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for prompt, 24 hour towing and roadside assistance in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. Our licensed towing and recovery division retains an extensive fleet of over 35 tow trucks and wrecker equipment, allowing us to assist drivers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, rain, snow, or ice. Request a free estimate, anytime.

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What You Need to Know About Safe Boat Towing

Sadly, not all of us are privileged enough to live right on the water where we can conveniently dock our boats, jet skis, and canoes right outside our homes. For the inlander communities, it is necessary to hitch and haul our amphibious engine-powered toys across the state, and sometimes even the country!  For people who do this often, or travel seasonally, it is certain they probably have a pretty good idea on how to haul and tow boats. As for the rookies, learning can be quite overwhelming, and understandably so.

If you need to brush up on your boat towing safety, continue below for a brief review of what you need to know.

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Towing a boat with your car, truck, or trailer requires undivided attention and care to ensure driver and passenger safety, as well as, the protection for the vehicle, trailer, and load itself.   Once a person learns the ins and outs of boat towing, they are ready to take on the road, but before doing so, it is crucial to review the important basics of boat towing to ensure a safer hauling experience.

Turning

Driving in a straight line is not much of a challenge when hauling a boat on the road, however, when it comes time to make a turn, there are some strategies that help ensure extra care and caution.  When making a turn with a boat attached to your car or truck, understand that turns are going to need to be much wider to accommodate the load.  Remembering to make wider turns will help keep a driver safe on the road, and not a moving disaster for other drivers around them.  Cutting a turn too narrow can result in exterior damage to the load and the vehicle and possibly other cars on the road.  Narrow turns can cause the load to hit mailboxes, street signs, cars, curbs, and worse, pedestrians.  Also, the load will always turn narrower than the vehicle, so drivers need to give everything plenty of room when turning and always check the mirrors too.

Backing Up

Visibility is the first and most important component to backing up a vehicle with a boat attached, safely.  Using the mirrors is crucial, and if they are not big enough, larger mirrors can be purchased and installed for better visibility.  In a perfect world, it is better to just avoid having to back-up the vehicle and load altogether.  This is not always the case, so there are some more tips to backing up a towed boat safely.  The vehicle will weigh more, be longer in length, and have a pivot right in the middle.  These things all affect the way it is backed up.  Moving slowing, making small adjustments with the wheel, and constantly checking mirrors will help overcome this challenge.

Braking

When a boat is being towed, it adds more weight to the vehicle.  This added weight makes the vehicle take longer to brake and takes longer to completely stop.  It is important to give the vehicle plenty of stopping room when beginning to brake.  Paying attention to the other drivers and the road ahead can decrease chances of having to stop abruptly.  A slow steady force of the foot will ensure a smooth deceleration of the vehicle and its load.  Having a steady foot and an attentive mind will ensure a safe braking experience every time.  Practice never hurt either!

Jack-Knifing

Jack-knifing on the road is a huge inconvenience to other drivers on the road.  Jackknifing is when a vehicle and the load attached get out of sync and create a “U” or “V” shape.  We have seen semi-trucks do this while attempting a U-turn on a narrow street.  There are some key tips and reminders to help avoid this undesirable situation.  One way to do this is to double check the load that is attached, and be sure it does not sway at all when in tow.  The swaying load can get enough momentum and swing all the way to the front of the vehicle, creating a jackknifing accident.  Also, braking appropriately when approaching turns or bends in the road helps prevent jackknifing as well.

These are just some basic reminders to safe boat towing.  Reviewing these topics before taking on the road is a good idea.  Sometimes all we need are a few reminders to get our minds in focus before a big trip.  It is helpful to make a list of things to check before leaving, and to brush up on techniques and skills to better and safer towing.

Professional Boat Towing and Transportation Services in Indianapolis

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for 24 hour boat towing services in Indianapolis and throughout Central Indiana. Our friendly staff is waiting by the phones, ready to help you get your boat to or from the water, safe and sound! We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, so you can always count on us. Request a free estimate, today.

Indianapolis Towing & Recovery 317-247-8484