Monthly Archives: November 2020

How to Get Your Car Out After Driving into a Ditch

Posted on by

Now that some snow trickle has arrived, it is officially that time of year when the most traffic accidents take place. One of the most common roadway emergencies seen during Indiana winters are cars that wind up driving into a ditch. When this happens, drivers are typically stuck unless they take some action to free their vehicle from the trench.

If you are currently facing the same situation, continue reading to learn how to get your car out after driving it into a ditch. At least one of these solutions will guarantee your safety and release.

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

Address Your Safety

The very first thing you should do after driving into a ditch is address everyone’s safety, including your own. Once you know everyone is unharmed, take several minutes to observe your surroundings. Do not immediately get out of your car to examine the damage. Instead, wait first, and ensure that you are out of the way of oncoming traffic or any other hazards. If anyone is hurt, call 911 and request paramedics right away.

Attempt to Get Out on Your Own

Now comes the part where you attempt to get your car out of the ditch it is in, all on your own. In minor cases of cars being stuck in ditches, it is possible to do this with very little effort. Start by seeing if you can alter the load weight inside your vehicle. Perhaps move around some luggage or belongings from the back to the front, or vice versa, or remove them altogether. This adjustment might help your car gain enough traction to free itself from the ditch.

If not, it is time to address traction. You can place certain things in front of your wheels to increase traction. Try cardboard, sand, cat litter, and even your floor mats. For front wheel drive cars, focus on the front wheels. For rear-wheel drive cars, focus on placing things in front of the back wheels.

Contact a 24 Hour Tow Truck

When all else fails, your surefire way of freeing a car stuck in the ditch is emergency roadside assistance services. Contact a local, 24 hour towing company that offers roadside assisting, including recovery service, which is what you need to pull your vehicle out of the trench. Your car insurance might cover this fee, otherwise, it is very affordable. You can expect to pay anywhere from $25 to $75 or so.

Affordable and Fast 24 Hour Roadside Assistance for Central Indiana

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for 24 hour roadside assistance in Indiana. Our friendly staff is waiting by the phones, ready to help you get back on the road, 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

Stay Safe By Keeping These 6 Things in Your Car at All Times

Posted on by

For anyone who operates a vehicle, road safety should be at the top of the priority list. But being “road safe” doesn’t stop at safe driving; it also requires being prepared for emergencies, whether that’s a flat tire, stalled engine, dead battery, or something more catastrophic. Fortunately, you can better prepare yourself for unanticipated road emergencies by keep certain items in your vehicle at all times.

Continue reading to learn at least 6 items that can help you during your next road emergency.

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

Jumper Cables

If your car battery dies, your jumper cables will save you from a major setback or costly tow. Always keep workable jumper cables in the trunk of your vehicle. Never remove them. Today, many jumper cables can be purchased in a nicely-compacted package that won’t take up too much space in your trunk. Be sure you also know how to jump start a dead car battery.

Spare Tire and Tools

In the case that you get a flat, it is quite possible to change your tire yourself, that is, if you have a spare one on hand. Most cars come with a factory spare, but if you bought your car used, it might be missing. Be sure to check your car for a spare, and if you do not have one, buy one that matches your make and model vehicle. Spare tires are available for sale at any local tire store or automotive parts store.

Flashlight or Lamp

If your car breaks down at night, especially if it’s due to a dead battery, it might be too dark to see what you are doing. Not only does this hinder your ability to identify and resolve the issue, but it can also put you and your passengers in danger of being hit by other vehicles. Avoid these problems by keeping a quality flashlight or lantern in your car, along with an extra set of batteries.

Blanket

In the case that your car breaks down in the middle of a cold season, and your heat does not work, you would be safer and more comfortable with a blanket. If you commonly have passengers with you, add more blankets.

Water

Just like blankets, water is another prime roadside emergency item to have. Keep a gallon jug or a 6-pack of bottled water in your trunk in the case that your engine overheats, or you are broken down for a long period of time without food or beverage.

Fully-Charged Portable Phone Charger

There are several portable phone chargers on the market to choose from. Be sure the one you add to your roadside emergency kit is a good quality brand. Be sure it is fully-charged, and then keep it in your vehicle at all times. Only use it for emergencies. You see, if your car breaks down because of a dead battery, you won’t be able to use your car to plug in your phone. A portable charger solves this common problem.

Indianapolis Indiana Roadside Assistance and Towing Services

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for 24 hour roadside assistance and towing services in Indianapolis and throughout Central Indiana. Our friendly staff is waiting by the phones, ready to help you get back on the road, 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

How to Tell if it is Time to Change Your Car Battery

Posted on by

Although we are still in the midst of the fall season, winter is soon ahead, making now the perfect time to prepare our vehicles for cold, wintry weather commutes. One important responsibility is car battery maintenance. When the weather turns inclement, you do not want to be stuck on the side of the road all because a simple and highly-preventable auto part has failed. Before you are ever faced with such as dilemma, be sure your car’s battery is in good condition. Not sure what to look for?

Continue reading to learn how to tell if it is time to replace your car battery, and what you should do if you are ever in a roadside emergency predicament in Indiana.

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

Old and Defective Car Batteries Show Symptoms

Whether your car battery is old or defective, you will be able to spot the signs by simply taking a closer look. Here are the top indications that it is time to change your car battery:

⚠ Car Battery Age – How old is your car battery? Did you know that they are not designed to last long, which means that an old battery will soon be a dead battery? If your car battery is between 5 and 6 years old, you might be getting close to replacement time.

⚠ Road Mileage – How often to you drive your car? If you drive it a lot, or over long distances, you will need to replace your car battery much sooner than the average commuter. However, not driving much at all can also have the same effect. Driving charges car batteries, so if a car sits for long periods of time, the battery can atrophy.

⚠ Engine Turn Over – How many seconds does it take for your engine to start up after you turn the ignition key? This length of time can tell you how your car battery might be doing. If the engine starts to take longer, or seem to struggle, to turn over, then it might be a dying battery.

Additional Signs to Look Out For:

⚠ Dimming Headlights and Interior Lights

⚠ Headlights Brighten When the Engine is Revved

⚠ Visible Corrosion on Battery Terminals and Cables

⚠ Slowly Operating Power Windows

Where to Get 24 Hour Towing and Roadside Assistance in Central Indiana

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for friendly 24 hour towing and roadside assistance in 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.

Indianapolis Towing & Recovery 317-247-8484