Put a Roadside Emergency Kit in Your Car

Posted on May 15, 2017 by Zores

Most of us, especially us seasoned drivers, have experienced a sudden blown tire or over-heating engine at some point in our driving careers. When these kinds of incidents would happen, we would safely navigate the vehicle to the shoulder of the road and take a look at the damage. In this scenario, would your roadside emergency been easier to handle had you owned an emergency roadside assistance kit? Think about it. A roadside emergency kit can mean the difference between a simple DIY repair, or a long wait for a tow.

No one wants to be stuck walking miles to a service station, or waiting hours on a tow truck. Many on-the-road disasters can be fixed or better-assisted with an emergency roadside kit. Continue reading to learn exactly what these kits contain, and where to get one for yourself and your fellow driving friends or loved ones!

Roadside Assistance Services 317-247-8484

Roadside Emergency Kits

There are several dangers associated with being stranded in a parking lot or on the side of the road. On-coming traffic collisions are a huge threat to anyone shouldered on the road with a broken down vehicle. This is especially true for highways. Vehicles at high speeds, combined with distracted driving, can mean that a driver might not see a person and hit them or their stranded vehicle. And parking lots can leave a person susceptible to car theft and muggings. You can’t always be prepared for all roadside emergencies, and you certainly can’t always prevent them, but an emergency kit for your car is a responsible and effective way to safeguard from several other obstacles.

Choosing a Kit

Emergency roadside assistance kits come in various sizes and packages. There are simple basic kits you can purchase with just jumper cables, gloves, electrical tape, rain poncho, and a few tools. These 10 to 30-piece kits are great for teen drivers and anyone who doesn’t commute long distances on a regular basis. For more devoted drivers, or people who drive long distances regularly, it is recommended to consider more comprehensive roadside kits. These kinds of kits cost more, but contain a lot more stuff. Things like jumper cables, gloves, screwdrivers, sockets, electrical tape, and more come standard, but these kits should also have emergency flares, hazard flags, reflective gear, tire jack, flashlight, AA batteries, wrench, and even a small medical kit. 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.

Here are some common items found in a standard roadside emergency kit:

⚑ First Aid Kit
⚑ Reflector Triangles
⚑ Road Flares
⚑ Whistle
⚑ Jumper Cables
⚑ Car Jack
⚑ Duct Tape
⚑ Electrical Tape
⚑ Fire Extinguisher

⚑ AA Batteries
⚑ Pliers
⚑ Screw Drivers
⚑ Sockets
⚑ Utility Knife
⚑ Gloves
⚑ Safety Vest
⚑ Blanket
⚑ And More

24 Hour Roadside Emergency Service in Indianapolis

Zore’s Towing Indianapolis 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!

Top 3 Most Reliable Automotive Batteries on the Market

Posted on May 4, 2017 by Zores

Indianapolis Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

The quality of car batteries differ depending on age, size, and rated capacity. Most car batteries are made by Exide, Delphi, or Johnson Controls. Each manufacturer provides a variety of battery brands. Delphi manufactures battery brands like ACDelco® and EverStart®, while Exide® makes Champion®, Exide®, and Napa®. Johnson Controls® manufactures brands such as Duralast®, Diehard®, Kirkland®, Motorcraft®, and Interstate®.

Continue reading to learn which brands of automotive batteries are most recommended by licensed mechanics, and which retain the most public appraisal.

🔋 Exide Edge 78 AGM

Price Range: $187.97

Features: Wet Model, SureLife Graphite Technology, AGM Construction, Continuous Cast Grid, Special Pressure Venting System, High Conductivity Post, Recessed Suitcase Handle, Space Efficient, Spill-Proof

Details: The Exide Edge 78 Automotive AGM Battery FP-AGM78DS is the first of its kind as an AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery that also retains SureLife Graphite Technology. This feature allows a higher energy capacity, which in turn, permits the battery to last longer while performing better. This make and model also offers enhanced battery protection, preventing complications and failure.

🔋 Bosch Platinum Series AGM

Price Range: $189.99

Features: Wet Model, Corrosion-Resistant Grain Structure, AGM Construction, Group Size 25, 100% Maintenance-Free, 3-Year Free Emergency Jump Start Assistance

Details: The Bosch Platinum Series car battery is highly recommended by Pep Boys, and several other auto shops. It features AGM, or absorbed glass mat, construction and corrosion-resistant grain structure to prevent sulfating. The Bosch car battery line also offers a long 4-year free replacement warranty and a 3-year free emergency jump start service. It provides optimal power in extreme heat or cold conditions.

🔋 Diehard Platinum Series Automotive

Price Range: $200

Features: Evolution Technology, AGM Construction, Tin-Coated Brass Terminals, Pure Virgin Lead Plates, Quick Re-Charge Capability, No-Spill Design, Extended Storage Time, 4-Year Free Replacement Warranty

Details: This AGM-designed battery series comes with a four year free replacement warranty; but it also comes with advanced technological features; such as evolution technology, which provides a maintenance-free battery with a longer lifespan. It is best for most vehicles, especially SUV’s and trucks. It has a long shelf-life, making it an ideal choice for vintage or old cars.

Indianapolis Roadside Assistance

Zore’s Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for 24 hour emergency roadside assistance for jump starts and more in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve all of Indy and its surrounding areas with round-the-clock towing and roadside assistance services, all at the most competitive prices in town. Count on us to jump start your dead battery, retrieve keys locked inside, deliver fuel when you are out of gas, and much more! Call 317-247-8484 to request a free estimate for Indianapolis roadside assistance, today.

6 Things a Roadside Assistance Service Can Do For You

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Zores

Roadside Assistance Services 317-247-8484

Roadside assistance service is not something we drivers tend to think about until we actually need them. Then in the moment, they turn out to be one of the most valuable assets we could ask for. Many people have roadside assistance coverage in their car insurance policies, while many others simply purchase third party coverage or memberships, or utilize public roadside assistant services. Fortunately, roadside assistance operates on a 24 hour basis, and covers a long list of unexpected car problems.

Continue reading to learn 6 of the most common things a roadside assistance company can do for you, and where to find prompt and professional service you can trust.

Roadside Assistance Services:

❶ Fuel Delivery

Have you ever run out of gas? Well a roadside assistance company can save you from making that dreaded (and dangerous) walk through the heat, cold, snow, or rain, all the way to the nearest gas station by delivering fuel right to your location. They will save you a lot of time too! Whether it is in the middle of the night, or out in the middle of nowhere, a roadside assistance truck can be there for you in a flash to deliver fuel and get you back on the road.

❷ Lock Outs

Have you ever locked your keys in the car? That’s definitely one of the more frustrating car situations, especially if your car is running or you’re running late. A roadside assistance service has the proper tools to safely unlock your car and retrieve your keys without any damage to your vehicle.

❸ Flat Tires

Have you ever popped a tire unexpectedly? A roadside assistance company can come right to you, change your tire, and even bring you a spare if you do not already have one. Think you can change a tire on your own? Well you might be right, but it is much safer and faster to use a professional roadside assistance service. Also, older vehicles may have lug nuts that are deteriorated and difficult to loose, ultimately making it impossible to remove the tire and change it. But a roadside assistance truck is stocked full of the proper tools needed to make these type of unexpected adjustments.

❹ Vehicle Recovery

Have you ever been stuck in the snow or mud? Or perhaps in a ditch? This happens often when cars swerve off the road to avoid collisions, or lose control due to adverse weather like rain, ice, and snow. And once a car is stuck, it can be impossible to recover it without the proper equipment. A roadside assistance service retains the resources and training to pull you out and get you back on the road again.

❺ Breakdowns

Has your car ever broken down on the side of the road with no hint of starting back up again? A roadside assistance service can provide a prompt and professional tow straight to your home or to the auto repair shop of your choice!

❻ Jump Starts

Has your car battery ever died? Jump starting your vehicle is simple as long as you have jumper cables and another battery to steal power from. But in the case that your car battery dies and you have no other vehicle to use for a jump start, or jumper cables, a roadside assistance service can help.

24 Hour Roadside Assistance in Indianapolis

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for 24 hour roadside assistance in Indianapolis and all of Central Indiana. We retain a state-of-the-art fleet and utilize the latest technologies to deliver safe and professional roadside assistance services in a convenient time frame. We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year! Call 317-247-8484 to request a free estimate for Indianapolis roadside assistance, anytime.

Common Types of Spare Tires

Posted on August 15, 2016 by Zores

Indianapolis Towing Company 317-247-8484

Whether they hide in the dark corners of car trunks, or exist as an exterior accessory to SUVs, spare tires are vital components to vehicle safety and convenience. It is important to check your vehicle’s spare tire as often as you can to ensure it is inflated and ready for use if needed. Some cars come with a spare tire, while many newer models do not. You can purchase a spare tire at any local automotive parts store, tire store, or any store with a large automotive department.

Decades ago, most spares used were full-sized standard tires; but today, there are more options to choose from depending on your vehicle type, driving habits, and personal preferences. Continue reading to learn about the most common types of spare tires in the automotive market, and how to determine which one is right for your vehicle.

Full Size Spare Tires

Several years ago, most new cars were equipped with full size spares. Full size spare tires are the same size as standard tires, so they can be used for an extended period of time. This is helpful for drivers that cannot take their vehicle to a shop right away or for those who drive a truck or SUV. They come matching and non-matching forms. A matching full size spare is one that is identical to the other tires on a vehicle. And a non-matching spare is not identical. Unless driving a large truck or SUV, non-matching spares are more common and preferred nowadays since they are lighter in weight and have shallower tread. This makes the spare easier to store and install, thus improving on fuel economy.

Compact Spare Tires

Also known as “donuts”, compact spare tires are the most frequently used spare for small to mid-sized vehicles. This is because they deliver the best balance in terms of function and size. They are also more-cost effective compared to full size spares. Although they are highly-effective and convenient, compact spares are not meant to be driven on for long distances or extended periods of time. They provide a temporary means to get your vehicle back on the road so you can drive directly to a tire shop.

Run Flat Tires

Some vehicles are manufactured with a sort-of “built-in” spare tire system. These are called run flat tires and are only found on certain make and model vehicles. Run flats contain reinforced tire walls that allow a vehicle to continue driving without using any tire pressure. They are monitored by a vehicle’s tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), which alerts drivers when the run flats have been punctured and are “in mode.” So vehicles that are equipped with run flats do not come with a spare tire at all.

Zore’s Towing

Tow Truck Service Lawrence Indiana 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 if you have a flat tire in Indianapolis, Indiana and need a quick tow. Our tow truck operators are certified, trained, and professional, offering a wide range of friendly and affordable towing and recovery services for all make and model vehicles, as well as, planes, duplexes, boats, semi-trucks, and more! Call us at 317-247-8484 for prompt 24 roadside assistance for flat tires in Indianapolis, IN any time!

How to Change a Tire Using a Spare

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Zores

A flat tire is a minor misfortune that almost every driver will experience at least once in their life. Especially for new drivers, knowing how to respond to a flat tire is an important part of responsible driving. Not only can it protect you from danger, it can provide you the confidence of managing your own unexpected car problems when the situation calls for it. If you are unfamiliar with the process of changing a tire and using a spare, continue reading to learn how with our simple guide.

Spare Tires

Flat Tire Service 317-247-8484

A spare tire is generally customary in all modern vehicles. It is possible for used cars to be sold without their spare, so always be sure to check your vehicle before hitting the road. You always want to have a spare tire on-board in case of an emergency. You can purchase spare tires at a reasonable price in any auto parts store or tire store. Be sure to ask an associate for help with matching the right spare for your vehicle’s make and model.

Often times, spares are found in the trunk, underneath the surface. Other times, they are in the den of the trunk or in a compartment on the side. Refer to your owners’ manual for instructions on locating your cars spare tire. Along with the spare, there is usually a car jack as well. If your car is not equipped with a car jack, be sure to purchase one, as well as a tire iron, for your vehicle and keep it in there at all times.

What to Do

If you get a flat or blow a tire while driving, it is important to not panic. Simply flip on your hazard lights and direct the vehicle slowly and calmly to the right side of the road. Be sure you are far enough on the shoulder to be safe from oncoming traffic.

Once you are parked, turn off your ignition and keep your keys on your person. Always check your mirrors for oncoming traffic before exiting your vehicle. If you are on the freeway, it is strongly recommended to exit your vehicle from the passenger side if it’s
possible to climb over.

Next, locate your spare and your car jack. Place these items next to the flat tire so they are in arm’s reach when needed.

You will first need to lift your car off the ground to have the ability to remove the flat and replace it with a spare. Refer to your owners’ manual for instructions on using a car jack. They are fairly easy to use so do not get overwhelmed with the process. Simply find a solid area to place the jack underneath, and then use the lever to crank it up.

Continue cranking until the tire is lifted 1 to 2 inches off the ground. This will give you just enough space to freely remove the tire. Do not lift the car too high, this can cause accidents and damage to your vehicle.

Now that your car is jacked up, you can use the tire iron, or your hands, to unscrew the bolts on your wheel cap. There are usually four to five of them. They may be stuck or difficult to release if your car is old, so if the tire iron doesn’t work, your best bet is a roadside assistance service. They have the proper tools and muscle-power to remove your tire bolts and attach your spare in no time at all.

When you have the bolts removed, put them in a safe place nearby, and gently pull your flat tire off. Put it to the side as well. Be careful pulling your tire off so you do not tip your vehicle over while it’s on the jack.

Slide your spare tire on, and then replace all the bolts. Be sure they are fastened securely.

You are now ready to release the jack and lower your car back to the ground. Place the old tire and the jack back into your trunk. And carefully get back into the driver’s seat and pull out onto the road.

Be sure to drive immediately to a tire supply retailer for professional tire service and replacement. A spare is only a temporary means and should be driven on as little as possible.

Indianapolis Roadside Assistance

Zore’s Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for prompt and professional roadside assistance services in Indianapolis and throughout Central Indiana. We provide friendly and affordable flat tire service, lost or locked key service, jump starts, dead battery service, and much more. Trust us for fast help at a reasonable price. So the next time you need help in a flash, call 317-247-8484 for Indianapolis roadside assistance you can trust.

How to Safely Operate a Vehicle that is Being Towed With a Tow Strap

Posted on January 8, 2016 by Zores

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Breaking down, running out of fuel, and getting stuck in a ditch are just a few scenarios that call for a friendly tow. One common method for towing vehicles with other vehicles involves using a tow strap. Tow straps are towing ropes that connect one vehicle to another for the purpose of relocating them short distances. Whether to the nearest auto shop or simply back onto the road, tow straps can be a convenient and quick solution for car to car towing.

During the process of using a tow strap to pull another car, each vehicle must be “manned” by a person. Someone must of course drive the car doing the towing, while another person must operate the vehicle being towed. Continue reading to learn the proper techniques to safely navigating a vehicle that is being towed by another, and who to call for professional towing services near you.

Tow Strap Towing

Once both ends of the vehicles are securely fastened with the tow strap, the towing can begin. But there are still three important rules to always follow when towing with a tow strap:

1. Never Tow an Unattended Vehicle
2. Do Not Drive Over 15 MPH
3. Focus on SMOOTH Driving

With these rules in mind, the driver in the towing vehicle can go ahead and begin to slowly press on the gas and move forward until the strap is taught. Once the strap is taught, the towing vehicle can slowly accelerate and begin driving forward. They must keep a safe distance between other vehicles, allow ample time for turning and other maneuvers, and avoid braking suddenly to prevent jolting and jerking the other vehicle.

As for the vehicle being towed, it is important for the person inside to know what they are doing, and to do it right. The person inside the vehicle being towed must pay close attention during the entire hauling period and actively operate its brakes and steering wheel. It is their job to steer the wheel along with the direction of the towing vehicle, and watch intently for its brake lights and turn signals. All while doing these tasks, those inside a car being towed by another car must maintain the right amount of resistance in the tow strap by keeping a proper distance between the two vehicles.

No Tow Strap?

If you don’t have a tow strap, don’t trust a pal to tow your car, or happen to be alone, simply contact a local wrecker service for safe and professional towing assistance. You can get fast and affordable roadside assistance or towing service anywhere in the state! Just be sure to hire a licensed company with an upstanding reputation and years of experience.

Zore’s Towing

Zore’s Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for fast and friendly roadside assistance and towing in Indianapolis you can afford! We offer a wide range of towing services and roadside assistance services at the most competitive prices in town. Where or when never matters when you call Zore’s Towing, since they provide towing and roadside assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and all throughout Indianapolis! Call 317-247-8484 the next time you need a tow in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding counties.

What Can Professional Wrecker Services Offer You?

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Zores

Indianapolis Towing Company 317-247-8484

Wrecker services are a great advantage to our cities; keeping our roads clear of wreckage, illegally parked cars and trucks, and broke down or abandoned vehicles. On top of all of this, they serve our communities with other useful wrecker services as well. There is much more to wrecker service than towing. Continue reading to catch up on what wrecker services can offer you in a variety of different circumstances and scenarios.

Jump Starts and Roadside Assistance

When your car engine dies on the road, a tow truck operator can offer jump starts any time of day. This is extremely helpful for people out of town, on long road trips, or anyone without jumper cables when their car battery dies. On top of jump starts, wrecker operators also offer additional roadside assistance services, like tire changes, lockouts, and fuel re-fills on a 24 hour schedule, 7 days a week. They can even offer rides to nearby gas stations or service centers for people in need.

Towing and Recovery

There are three separate towing categories that local wrecker services generally offer drivers on the road. These three categories are light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty towing services. Light duty towing includes cars, small and mid-sized trucks, vans, and motorbikes. Medium duty wrecker services includes recovery missions for trailers, SUVs, full-size trucks and vans, school buses, and tractors. Heavy duty towing is on a much larger scale. This includes towing services for commodities such as air crafts, semi-trucks, commercial buses, farming equipment, manufactured homes, construction, demolition projects, and much more.

Disaster Response Services

In the case of a devastating storm or other catastrophic disaster, veteran wrecker services are known to be there to provide recovery missions for the city. Hauling large debris and fallen trees is one way wrecker operators can assist in emergency situations. In addition, they can offer assistance with bridge repair, major flood damage, river damage, explosion cleanups, hurricane disasters, fires, and more. Typically, towing companies that have been operating for more than a few decades are qualified to assist in this type of recovery. It takes years of training and experience to undertake emergency wrecker services safely and effectively.

Zore’s Towing

Towing Company Indianapolis, Indiana 317-247-8484

Towing Company 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for professional and prompt towing service in Indianapolis, Indiana today. We are highly trained, licensed, and experienced tow truck operators that provide a very wide range of affordable wrecker services at the fairest prices around. Call our office today at 317-247-8484 for free estimates, emergency towing services, roadside assistance, and more in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties.

Towing Services Can Be More than Just Tows

Posted on July 8, 2015 by Zores

Roadside Assistance Services 317-247-8484

Towing companies do a great job keeping our streets and express ways clear of stationed vehicles. Scrap cars, illegally parked vehicles, and cars that have broken down, are all examples of the obstacles they reduce on a daily basis. Although towing companies are known for primarily towing, there are other services that are often times overlooked and forgotten about. Read on to get to know the other side of towing companies that goes unnoticed by so many.

Roadside Assistance

Many tow businesses provide a variety of roadside assistance services. Whether you are a commercial road driver or a soccer mom on her way to the pick up the kids, these companies provide services for everyone. Roadside assistance is a great commodity in big cities and even the more remote communities. You never know when you will be in need on the side of the road. These extra services include jump starts, tire changes, fuel delivery, lockout assistance, and sometimes, mobile auto repair mechanics too!

Light Towing

This lighter duty towing includes tows for smaller to mid-sized cars, and sometimes, mini vans. Circumstances with junk cars, abandoned cars, scooters, motorcycles, and other similar sized vehicles require this lighter type of towing that every tow company provides. This service allows are roads to stay clear of scrap and junk. It promotes safety and is more environmentally conscience.

Medium Tows

Most towing companies go above and beyond light duty tows, like illegally parked cars and wrecked vehicles. Towing companies have larger and more sustainable equipment and resources to tow heavier loads. Some examples of medium duty tows would include, jet skis, speed boats, vans, mail trucks, tractors, and pickup trucks.

Heavy Duty Towing

For extremely equipped towing companies, heavy duty towing is on their list of services as well. This type of towing involves heavy, and sometimes dangerous, tows. For example, school buses, semi-trucks, yachts, and even small homes! It also includes major storm damage removal and recovery services for things like fallen trees or vehicles submerged in a body of water.

Commercial Wrecker Services

It can be possible that some towing businesses offer extended commercial tow services. These are special towing services and requests that can only be handled by certified and experienced professionals. These special services include airplane towing, duplexes, steel transporting, and more.

Zore’s Towing

Towing Indiana 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for prompt and professional towing services in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. We are experts and leaders in the wrecker industry and offer a wide variety of towing services. With over 80 years of experience here in Indiana, towing all sorts of vehicles from personal cars to semi-trucks, Zore’s Towing has the knowledge and resources needed for every kind of tow. Call 317-247-8484 anytime for 24 hour towing services and roadside assistance in Indianapolis, IN anytime.

How to Patch a Flat Tire Using a Tire Plug Kit

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Zores

Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Flat tires happen to the best of us, no matter how well of a driver we may be. Snow, ice, fog, and other uncontrollable weather can reduce our vision on the road, so driving on hazardous paths, like construction zones and high-traffic areas, can lead to nails and other damaging shrapnel in tires. Fortunately, a nail in a tire is not a costly repair if you choose to take your vehicle into a tire center or auto shop. But a hole in a tire can repaired on your own, and it’s easier than you think!

Continue reading to learn how to remove a nail from a tire and repair a hole using a
tire patching or plug kit.

Tire Plug Kits

A tire plug kit can be purchased at most automotive stores or stores with an automotive section or department. They are generally inexpensive, ranging anywhere in price from $10 up to $50 or more, depending on the brand and size of the kit. For anyone with an emergency car kit, a tire patching kit is a smart addition. In fact, many store-bought emergency roadside assistance kits contain tire patching tools and products.

There are various brands and styles of tire patch kits, but most should or generally include a needle-hole applicator tool, a reaming tool, a set of repair strips, and rubber cement. Larger tire patching kits may include additional items and parts. But the mentioned accessories should be all you need for a simple nail removal and hole repair. Here is a list of the tools you will need for both tasks:

• Socket Wrench
• Car Jack
• Knife
• Pliers
• Tire Patch Kit

Here’s How to Get Started:

1. Lift the vehicle off the ground with the car jack.
2. Remove the damaged tire.
3. Use pliers to pull out the nail or other shrapnel.
4. Apply a few drops of rubber cement to the reaming tool.
5. Widen the hole using a twisting motion with the reaming tool. Do Not Over-Ream!
6. Remove a plug strip and insert it into the needle-hole plug tool so that its length is even on both sides.
7. Apply the rubber cement to all areas of the repair strip and the tip of the plug tool.
8. Insert the plug all the way into the reamed tire hole.
9. Now remove the plug tool.
10. Cut off any remaining portions of the plug.
11. Allow the rubber cement to dry completely.
12. Re-attach the tire.
13. Re-fill the tire with air.
14. All Done!

Zore’s Towing and Roadside Assistance

Zore’s Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 when you need 24 hour emergency roadside assistance in Indianapolis, Indiana. If you have a flat tire, we can promptly arrive and repair your tire for an affordable price. We also offer 24 hour towing and recovery services for abandoned, stuck, wrecked, or illegally parked vehicles all throughout Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. Call 317-247-8484 today for Indianapolis roadside assistance services you can trust.

How Long Can I Drive on a Spare Tire?

Posted on October 13, 2014 by Zores

Spare Tire Services 317-247-8484

Spare tires and “donuts” have truly come in handy for thousands of drivers all over the country. When a tire goes flat, having a spare can mean the difference between walking ten miles to a service, and getting back on the road within a few short minutes. Many drivers are guilty of driving on a spare tire or donut longer than the owner’s manual suggests; but just because it is common behavior doesn’t mean you should do it too. Continue reading to learn how long you should drive on a spare tire, how fast you should go, and what to do in the case of a blown tire.

Spare Tires and Donuts

Manufacturers know that spare tires are used infrequently, so many are changing their designs to a smaller space-efficient “donut”. Spare tires and donuts are very different from standard tires, and they require different driving methods and techniques when being used. Whether you have a spare or a donut, there are important guidelines to follow to protect yourself, other drivers and passengers, and your vehicle.

Never leave your spare tire on longer than the owners’ manual or manufacturer’s instructions state. This can lead to a whole heap of complications. Spares and donuts are meant to be temporary tires, because in fact, they are temporary tires! They are not as durable as ordinary tires, and weaken at a much faster rate. You see, a standard tire contains layers of steel and polyester fibers beneath the rubber. These layers are called plies and are where the real strength comes from. For space and weight-saving reasons, spares do not contain as many plies as ordinary tires; therefore, they deteriorate quicker. With half as many plies as regular tires, spares lack sufficient puncture-resistance and corning ability too.

Temporary tires, being smaller and narrower, make much less contact with the road. A smaller contact patch means reduced traction and ABS control. Stopping distance is increased and handling can become unpredictable. And don’t try to tow a trailer, or anything for that matter, because spares do not retain the same loading strengths and qualities as standard tires. Driving on a spare can also create a load of mechanical problems and problems with the differential.

With all this in mind, most manufacturers suggest using a spare tire for a short, emergency amount of time, while never exceeding 50 miles per hour. Avoid highway and interstate driving if you can; but if you must remain on the interstate, always drive in the far right lane with your hazard lights on. Perhaps you just need a tow, and don’t want to mess with a blown tire? In this case, call a local Indianapolis tow truck service for roadside assistance or towing.

Zore’s Towing

Towing Indiana 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for prompt roadside assistance or tow truck service in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are highly trained, licensed, and experienced wrecker operators that provide towing services 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Our towing company has been family owned and operated since 1927, providing exceptional towing service at a competitive price. We are friendly, fast, and affordable. Call 317-247-8484 for professional towing services in Indianapolis, IN today.