How to Test Tire Tread Using a Penny

In last month’s blog, we discuss several methods of tire maintenance and care. You learned that colder temperatures cause tires to lose more air, thus requiring them to be inflated more frequently in the winter season. It is important to regularly check tire pressure to ensure that your vehicle is operating as safely and efficiently as possible. Furthermore, it is important that your tires have sufficient tread in order to maintain proper traction and maneuverability on the road. Not sure what good tire tread looks like? Just implement the age-old tire treat penny test!

Continue reading to learn how to use a penny to determine the condition of your tire’s tread.

24 HR Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484
24 HR Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Tire Tread Inspections

You can surely find a penny anywhere. If not in your home, certainly in your cup holder, glove box, pocket or purse, or even on the street! What we mean to convey is, pennies are not hard to come by, making them the perfect and most convenient automotive tool you can have on hand. So how can a penny give you vital information about the quality and condition of your tires? The answer has to do with the size of a penny. But before you can understand this, you must first learn how to implement the tire tread penny test.

Tire Tread Penny Test:

Vertically insert a penny in between two grooves of your tire so that the penny’s face is looking straight ahead.

Inspect Lincoln’s head position. If you can see Lincoln’s face, your tread is low, and you likely need new tires. If you cannot see the President’s head, your tire tread is still in good condition.

Consequences of Low Tire Tread

If you discover that your tire tread is low, it is wise to start thinking about tire replacement. Otherwise, you can be putting yourself and the mechanical operations of your vehicle, at risk. Not only do low tread tires have little traction on the road, they also cause slow or unpredictable braking operations. In wet conditions, low tire tread can cause your vehicle to spin out of control, or veer off the road. Furthermore, low tread causes reduced fuel efficiency, costing you more money in gasoline.

Need Emergency Tire Assistance?

Zore's Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484
Indianapolis Towing & Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

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.

Top 3 Ways to Drive Safer This Winter

If you want to avoid roadside emergencies and car accidents this winter, it is wise to prepare yourself with the right knowledge for driving safer in inclement weather. Continue reading to learn the top 3 recommended actions and considerations for being a safer driver in snow, ice, sleet, hail, fog, and all other harsh elements we might face through the season.

24 HR Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484
24 HR Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

❶ Have a Winter Emergency Roadside Kit

Whether it is winter, summer, spring, or fall, it is wise to have a roadside emergency kit in your vehicle at all times. These kits can come in anything from 30-piece kits, to 70-piece kits, and larger. The right kit for you depends on the size of your vehicle, your town’s geography, and your driving practices. Such kits should include basic materials like a spare tire, gloves, tire jack, jumper cables, road triangles, torque wrench, tire pressure gauge, flashlight, and a blanket. More thorough kits might include a screwdriver set, sockets, electrical tape, emergency flares, hazard flags, reflective gear, AA batteries, fire extinguisher, pliers, utility knife, and even a small medical kit.

❷ Pay Close Attention to Your Tires

When temperatures are cold or below freezing, your tires lose pressure more quickly. As a result, tires lose proper connection to the road surface. With a loss of traction, you put yourself at risk of losing control of your vehicle in icy or wet conditions. Before each drive, always check that your tires are fully inflated. At least once per month, be sure to measure the tire pressure too. Check the tag within the driver’s-side doorjamb or your owner’s manual for recommended tire pressure for your make and model car. Also with tires, be sure there is plenty of tread left. Use the “penny test” to see if you are ready to replace your tires: insert the penny in between your tire tread, and if Lincoln’s head is higher than the tread, you need new tires soon.

❸ Take Care of Your Car Battery

Just like your tires, your car battery is also affected by cold weather and temperatures. An extended period of freezing cold weather will pull the voltage from car batteries, and eventually prevent the car from starting altogether. To make matters worse, cold temperatures also thicken automotive fluid, which makes your vehicle’s components (like the battery) work harder, thus using up more power. To avoid this problem, be sure you stay on top of routine battery maintenance, as well as all your other factory scheduled measures, such as fluid changes and tune-ups. Read our blog, “The Do’s and Don’ts to Automotive Battery Maintenance” to learn what you need to know about taking care of your car battery all year long.

How to Get 24 Hour Roadside Assistance Anywhere in Central Indiana

Indianapolis Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484
Indianapolis Towing and Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

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.

Top 4 Signs of a Faulty Alternator

As a local company that provides 24 hour roadside assistance, we get a lot of calls for jump starts. And on several occasions, what seems to be a dead battery issue is actual an alternator one. Our customer’s discover that their vehicle doesn’t need a jump start, but rather, a tow to the nearest auto shop for alternator repair.

Symptoms of a failing alternator often disguise themselves as something else, which is why it is important to always consult a professional for all of your automotive maintenance, repair, and recovery needs. If you suspect that your vehicle is having problems with its ignition, electrical systems, or battery, it could very well all be a result of a faulty alternator.

Continue reading to learn the top 4 signs of a failing alternator, as well as, how to contact us for emergency roadside assistance.

Indianapolis Towing & Recovery 317-247-8484
Indianapolis Towing & Recovery 317-247-8484

❶ Dead Battery

When an alternator is not functioning properly, it will quickly drain all of the battery capacity. As a result, the battery will die every time you drive your vehicle. This leads many people to mistakenly believe an alternator issue is a dead battery one. If this sounds like your car, you may think you need a jump start, when really you need your alternator repaired or replaced.

❷ Electrical Malfunctions

One of the most common signs that a car alternator is failing is electrical malfunctioning. This applies to lights, power seats and windows, stereos, navigation systems, and any other components powered by electricity. If you notice that your power seats are moving too slowly, your lights are dimmed or flickering, or your radio shuts off and on, it could be due to a failing alternator. An illuminated check engine, ALT,” or a battery icon indicator is another tell-tale sign.

❸ Strange Sounds

If your car makes strange noises while idling or driving, be sure to listen closely for sounds that indicate an alternator problem. If you hear squealing, grinding, or growl-like noises, it could be due to a faulty alternator. Most often, these sounds are caused by loosened or over-stretched serpentine belts, which cannot provide sufficient charge.

❹ Stalling Engine

If an alternator is not working properly, the fuel injection cannot not get the amount of electrical power needed to operate the engine, causing a vehicle to shut off instantly in the middle of driving. If this has happened to you more than once, you may be in need of alternator repair or replacement.

How to Get in Touch With Us

Zore's Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484
Indianapolis Towing & Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for safe and affordable Indianapolis tow truck and roadside services you can trust. Our licensed and insured towing operators provide punctual and prompt tow truck services, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week! We also provide numerous community services, roadside assistance services, wrecker and recovery services, and much more. Call 317-247-8484 to request a free estimate, anytime!

What To Do if You Drive into a Ditch

If you drive into a ditch, there is a specific set of guidelines you should follow, regardless of your location or the time of day. Continue reading to learn the first 4 tasks to cover after driving into a ditch, including how to get out safely.

Indianapolis Roadside Assistance & Towing 317-247-8484
Indianapolis Roadside Assistance & Towing 317-247-8484

First and Foremost: SAFETY

Your first priority should always be safety. This is especially true for busy streets and highways. First, take a look at yourself and your passengers to confirm whether or not injuries were incurred during the slide off. If someone is hurt, including yourself, contact 911 emergency services immediately.

If no one is hurt, put your parking brake on to prevent further sliding or movement. Do not step out of your car until you are sure there is not oncoming traffic. In fact, it is wise to get out of the passenger door (or whichever door does not face the street).

Sometimes, you do not need to get out of the car if it can simply be driven back onto the road. But for larger and steeper ditches, driving out might present more of a challenge. In this case, move onto the next guideline below.

Second: Change the Load Weight

If your car is not driving out of the ditch, you may need to alter the load weight. This means changing around your cargo to allow better inertia. If you do not have much cargo, then this may not be a necessary step. If you do have cargo, take out as much as you can, and then try to drive out of the ditch, Lighter weight sometimes helps give a vehicle the boost it needs. On the other hand, if you are stuck in snow or mud, more weight is better.

Third: Improve Traction

Things like rock, gravel, sand, and dirt can make your tires spin in place, rather than spring you from the ditch. If this is your problem, try adding some extra traction behind each tire. Use anything that can work, including floor mats, wood boards, cardboard, paper, and even clothing. For front wheel drive vehicles, place the items in the front of the tires.

Fourth: Call for Roadside Assistance

If none of the above methods work for you, your best option is to call a 24 hour roadside assistance service for prompt and professional towing recovery. They have the resources to pull your car out of a ditch, safely and conveniently.

Who to Trust for Dependable 24 Hour Roadside Assistance

Zore's Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484
Indianapolis Towing & Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for affordably-priced 24 hour emergency roadside assistance in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. We offer 24 hour service, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. Regardless of your roadside assistance needs, we are fully-equipped and always on-duty to help. Choose from fuel delivery, lockout service, jump starts, and more.

Types of Customers We Serve at Zore’s Towing

Here at Zore’s Towing, we serve a wide range of customers with our extensive fleet of tow trucks and recovery vehicles. Continue below to view all the different types of customers we serve, and see just where you fit on the list!

Indianapolis Towing & Roadside Assistance

Indianapolis Towing & Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

👫 Single Customers

Whether you are a vehicle owner, renter, leaser, or somewhere in between, Zore’s Towing provides individual towing and recovery services for anyone in the state. When you have a car accident, we can provide the towing and clearance services in a moment’s notice. If you need to transport a vehicle or large commodity across the city or state, we have the fleet to manage your cargo safely. We also provide 24 hour roadside assistance for flat tires, lockouts, no fuel, and more!

🚚 Commercial Accounts

Commercial accounts are another big part of who we serve here at Zore’s Towing. Such clientele primarily includes large commercial trucking companies who require 24 hour roadside assistance for breakdowns, emergencies, recoveries, and more. We know how impactful it can be having a commercial truck out of service, which is why we promptly manage such cases with your bottom line in mind!

🏢 Private Property Customers

Anyone who owns private real estate, whether commercial or residential, does not want abandoned vehicles or illegally parked cars on their premises. This is where Zore’s Towing can help. We are on call, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, to assist private property owners with unwanted vehicle removal. We retain comprehensive knowledge of all local and state statutes and legal requirements, allowing us to provide safe and secure property management services.

🚓 Government Contracts

Zore’s Towing retains comprehensive knowledge of all evidentiary and local government requirements. This allows us to work alongside various fire and law enforcement departments and government agencies to provide vehicle impound and transportation services, city and state training and safety programs, traffic incident management (TIM) services, controlled rolls, water recovery, wrecker service, and more. We are also involved with several community services and work closely with the Hoosier Helper Tool.

🚙 Automotive Repair Shops

It is common practice for auto repair shops to get customers who need to have their car towed to their lot. In such cases, many automotive shops choose Zore’s Towing for their on-call towing account. With a wide fleet of tow trucks available 24 hours a day, we are always prepared to get your customer’s vehicles to you as soon as possible, regardless of their car’s condition or location. We serve all of Indianapolis, as well as, all areas within Central Indiana.

🏆 Motor Clubs

Another valued towing client includes Motor Clubs. All those fancy cars you see at shows and exhibits are not usually driven to their destination. In order to retain the aesthetic and mechanical integrity of specialty cars, careful transportation is required. Here at Zore’s Towing, local motor clubs know that we retain the proper fleet of flatbed tow trucks to safely transport exotic and high-valued vehicles, safely and efficiently.

Your Indiana Towing and Recovery Service

Zore's Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing & Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

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

Why Choose Zore’s Towing for All Your Roadside Needs

Here at Zore’s Towing, our family owned and operated company has proudly served the Central Indiana communities with safe and efficient towing and recovery services at the most competitive prices. Learn why you should choose us for all of your towing and roadside needs!

Zore's Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Zore’s Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Towing, Recovery & Roadside Service

It’s simple; we are your simple, hassle-free solution to affordable towing and recovery services in Indianapolis, and throughout Central Indiana! With more than 90 years in business, you can trust our pledge to provide safe and efficient service at a fair price. Our certified and experienced drivers carry out a wide range of professional towing services, including light to heavy-duty tow truck service, property management, roadside assistance, towed car searches, emergency towing, long-distance towing, heavy equipment transport, and much more.

More Precision & Faster Response Times

On top of a full fleet of advanced tow trucks and wrecker equipment, we only employ state-certified wrecker operators who work around the clock, providing roadside protection 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year; even on national holidays! This means that Zore’s Towing is your roadside security team for emergency vehicle assistance at all times. Best of all, all of our tow trucks are radio-dispatched from a live representative, and even equipped with the latest GPS technologies, all of which ensures accuracy and improves response times.

A Hoosier Family You Can Trust

As a member of the community ourselves, we are committed to providing the quality and security you come to expect from a local towing service. In fact, we are active in our surrounding neighborhoods in many ways. Not only are we involved with several community services, including city and state training and safety programs, as well as, local community sponsorships and causes throughout Central Indiana, we are also partnered with various fire departments and 9 different law enforcement departments for the purpose of providing traffic incident management (TIM) services, controlled rolls, water recovery, wrecker service, and more. We also work closely with the Hoosier Helper Tool, and have even won prestigious awards for our respected credentials, achievements, and service.

Contact Us Anytime!

Zore's Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing & Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484, today. On every call, you can expect a prompt hello and a warm greeting from a pleasant company representative who is ready to assist you. Our friendly staff is waiting by the phones, ready to help you get back on the road, safe and sound. Request a free estimate, anytime!

Common Roadside Problems and Solutions

When you are the owner and operator of a vehicle, you have certain obligations to fulfil, like insurance coverage, licensing, plate stickers, and more. Along with these responsibilities, you should also have a plan in place for sudden, unexpected roadside scenarios. Flat tires, broken windshield wipers, overheating engines, and being lock out are just some of the common examples drivers experience on the road.

When circumstances like these occur, it is important to be prepared; not only with the right tools and resources, but also with the right knowledge. Continue reading to review common roadside problems, and suggested solutions for each!

Indianapolis Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Flat Tires

Flat tires are one of the most common roadside dilemmas drivers experience on the road. Run-flat tires are great options for areas where flats are common, as they protect the rim of the wheel while you slowly drive your vehicle to the nearest shop for repair. If you do not have such tire technology, you need to be sure you have a kit handy to change your tire. This can be a tire plug kit for patching a hole, or it can be a jack and spare tire setup. See our blog, “How to Change a Tire Using a Spare,” to learn how to do it yourself.

Overheating Engine

Overheating engines can happen for a number of reasons. The most common reason an engine overheats a vehicle that is in good condition has to do with lack of coolant. It is important to have the proper water-to-coolant ratio for proper cooling operation. Refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual to learn the proper coolant concentration recommended for your make and model car or truck. Also, keep a bottle of radiator fluid in your trunk so that you can be prepared to tend to an overheated engine. Always be sure to let the engine cool down completely before opening the hood.

Broken Windshield Wiper Blades

If your windshield wiper blades are broken, and you are driving in the middle of a rainstorm, you are in a very unsafe position. Immediately pull over and wait for the rain to pass, or be prepared to change your windshield wipers manually. By keeping an extra set of quality windshield wiper blades in your vehicle, you are well-prepared for this kind of disaster.

Out of Fuel

A vehicle running out of gasoline is a common scenario that virtually all drivers have experienced once in their life. It is not a good idea to keep an extra jug of fuel in your vehicle for roadside emergencies like this, however, it is a good idea to keep an empty fuel jug so that you can walk to the nearest gas station and fill it up.

Locked Out of the Car

Locking your keys in the car is a major inconvenience, especially if your engine is still running since it can cost you precious fuel. If this happens to you, you have a few options. The one you use will largely depend on the resources you have, and personal preference. You can use a long shoe string, or other type of string, you can create a slip knot and use it to manually unlock the door, or you can try the old coat hanger method.

Stuck in a Ditch

For those stuck on the side of the road, you have a few options for escape. If you believe you are in a particularly dangerous position, contact the highway police for added protection. To get yourself out, you can use the rocking method, where you reverse and drive back and forth until your vehicle can gain the momentum needed to spring itself out; or, you can add dry soil around each tire for added traction. You can also jack up the car and add wood boards, floor mats, trunk liner, gravel, sand, or any other material you have that could work as a surface. Keep in mind that this is not recommended if you are on a busy highway or street. It can be very risky and dangerous.

The BEST Course of Action for All Roadside Emergencies:

Contact an Indianapolis roadside assistance company that provides 24 hour service. They have the materials and resources to protect you, your passengers, and your vehicle, while also resolving any of the above-mentioned emergencies and more.

Affordable and Fast 24 Hour Roadside Assistance

Towing Company Indianapolis, Indiana 317-247-8484

24 Hour Towing and Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for affordably-priced emergency roadside assistance in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. We offer 24 hour service, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. Regardless of your roadside assistance needs, we are fully-equipped and always on-duty to help. Choose from fuel delivery, lockout service, jump starts, and more. Call 317-247-8484 when you need fast Indianapolis roadside assistance you can trust!

How Do Ethanol Car Engines Work?

As a result of the unsteady prices of gasoline, people are constantly searching for answers when it comes to saving money on fuel and increasing their gas mileage. Ethanol-powered vehicles are currently a popular and practical solution to the increasing fuel costs in today’s society. To properly understand how ethanol car engines work, it is important to learn about ethanol fuel, its valuable properties, and where it comes from.

Continue reading to do just that!

Indianapolis Towing & Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing & Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Ethanol Fuel

Ethanol fuel is a bio-fuel because it is mainly extracted from plants such as corn, potatoes, hemp, barley, grain, sugar cane, and more. Bioethanol is actually ethanol; the same kind of alcohol found in liquor, beer, and wine. It’s most commonly used as a bio-fuel additive to motor fuel. In fact, the majority of vehicles on the road today operate on blends of ethanol and gasoline.

In most cases, 25% of common fuel is ethanol, while the other 75% is gasoline. This is the likely blend a person will get at their local gas station when they fill up their tanks. In 1976, Brazil made it legally mandatory to blend the two fuels together. When blended, they are referred to as flex-fuels.

Ethanol-Fueled Vehicles

Vehicles that retain an internal combustion engine that is specifically designed to operate on more than one kind of fuel are referred to as dual-fuel vehicles. Informally, these vehicles are referred to as flexible-fuel vehicles or FFV. This simply means these cars or trucks have the capability to operate on alternative fuels other than gasoline; or they run off of a combined fuel such as the modern-day blended gasoline mentioned before.

Dual-fuel vehicles operate very similar to standard automobiles that use gasoline. Ethanol is injected into engines just the same as gasoline is injected into standard non-hybrid vehicles. Even though ethanol delivers slightly less gas mileage, its eco-friendly benefits make it a viable option for drivers.

For example, when ethyl fuel is burned, it produces less harmful emissions and air pollution than standard gasoline. This advantage alone makes it worthwhile. Also, ethanol generally costs less than standard fuel or gasoline; making hybrid vehicles a cheaper option in comparison to standard automobiles on the market today. The similarities between the two engines makes ethanol cars cheaper than most hybrid vehicles as well.

Bioethanol

Bioethanol is a form of quasi-renewable energy that’s predicted to change the world of motor vehicles as we know it. It is an excellent alternative to standard gasoline and can provide a wide range of amenities that benefit not only us, but the environment as well.

Unexpected Car Engine Trouble?

Zore's Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing & Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for affordably-priced 24 hour emergency roadside assistance in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. We offer 24 hour service, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. Regardless of your roadside assistance needs, we are fully-equipped and always on-duty to help. Choose from fuel delivery, lockout service, jump starts, and more. Call 317-247-8484 when you need fast Indianapolis roadside assistance you can trust!

The 3 Best Alternatives to a Spare Tire

You’ve looked in the trunk and under the hood, but you cannot find the spare tire in your new car. But don’t worry. If you have a newer model vehicle, it is possible that it did not come with one. There are many reasons why some automotive manufacturers have chosen to forgo the classic spare; some of which include better fuel efficiency, increased storage space, lighter vehicular weight, reduced manufacturer costs, and much more.

If your vehicle lacks a spare tire, it is wise to take the proper precautions to ensure you have a means of emergency tire replacement; otherwise, you are at risk of being stranded on the road in the case of a flat. Fortunately, there are some great options to choose from for your car or truck! Continue reading to learn three of the most popular alternatives to a spare tire.

Indianapolis Flat Tire Assistance 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Flat Tire Assistance 317-247-8484

Tire Inflator Kits

Some automotive manufacturers that have opted out of spare tires have substituted the loss with built-in tire inflator kits, but they are also available to the public as well. Tire inflator kits usually involve a type of aerosol seal kit that provides a temporary resolution for minor tire tread punctures. There are several brands of tire inflator kits on the market, all ranging in price between $20 and $200 depending on quality. They are designed to plug up small holes by spraying a tire sealant into the flat through its air-inflation valve, which inflates the tire just enough to drive it a very short distance.

Potential Downside: The sealants in these kits can produce grime buildup inside a tire, which can disrupt the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

Run Flats

Run flat tires are the most well-known and traditional alternative to using a spare tire system. They are specially designed with reinforced sidewall (or internal support rings), which allow drivers to safely drive their vehicle for a limited distance on a punctured or ruptured tire. Run flats are only made to travel a short distance (between 10 and 15 miles) and at a moderate-to-slow speed (under 40 miles per hour). Consumers are pleased with run flats because they provide better control and maneuverability compared to a spare tire or donut.

Potential Downside: Once run flat is used, regardless of distance driven, a tire will be completely unusable and must be replaced.

Self-Sealing Tires

You can purchase self-sealing tires as an alternative to housing a spare. These are tires that are designed with a built-in lining that is coated in a special sealant. So when the tire experiences a puncture, the sealant automatically begins to surround the hole. If there is a nail or piece of metal stuck inside the tire, the sealant will fill the hole after it is removed.

Potential Downside: Self-sealing tires will not work if a tire’s sidewall is punctured, or if the puncture hole is too wide.

Need Emergency Flat Tire Assistance in Indiana?

Indianapolis Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing and Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

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.

What To Do If Your Car is Stuck in Mud

Whether you are out for a weekend of fishing and camping, or in the middle of a cross country road trip, sticky, sludgy mud can become a problem at any time along the way. If you find yourself stuck in mud, try this method for a safe and convenient way out.

Indianapolis Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Step ❶

As soon as you are sure that your car is stuck, your first step is to ensure your safety and the safety of others. This is mostly important if you are on the side of a busy street or highway. If you are in an isolated area away from traffic, you may not have to follow all the recommendations in this step.

For those stuck on the side of the road, the first thing you need to do is protect your passengers. It is recommended for everyone to stay in the vehicle with seat belts on to avoid getting hit by a car. The additional weight will also help get you free your car from the mud.

If you believe you are in a particularly dangerous position, contact the highway police for added protection. They can ensure that traffic is directed away from your vehicle.

Once everyone knows to stay seated with their seat belts on, it is important put your hazard lights on to warn oncoming traffic that you are immobile. If you have a roadside assistance kit, use any traffic cones, triangles, or lights as well. Place them around your vehicle so that oncoming drivers can see them.

Step ❷

Now you are ready to use the rocking method to free your car from the mud. Slowly and steadily transition from DRIVE to REVERSE until you get your car into a rocking motion. Continue to do this until you gain enough traction to spring forward or backward from the mud. According to Consumer Reports, it is important to keep the wheels straight while doing this. Avoid spinning your tires because this will only dig you deeper into the mud.

If the rocking motion is not working, you can try to add fresh, dry soil behind and in front of each tire. You can also jack up the car and add wood boards, floor mats, trunk liner, gravel, sand, or any other material you have that could work as a surface. Keep in mind that this is not recommended if you are on a busy highway or street. It can be very risky and dangerous.

Step ❸

When all attempts fail, or you are in a hurry and have no time to spend digging yourself out of the mud, contact an Indianapolis towing and roadside assistance company for safe and professional help. They have everything you need for prompt and specialized service that will not damage your car nor put you in danger.

Indianapolis Towing and Roadside Assistance

Indianapolis Towing

Indianapolis Towing & Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

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.