Will My Car Overheat in Hot Weather?

Posted on July 19, 2019 by Zores

When the Indiana heat index reaches extremely high temperatures in the summer, many of us start to have concerns about health and safety. As a result, we take certain precautions to ensure we are not at risk of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and other serious heat-related illnesses and conditions.

However, there is one thing we tend to overlook when it comes to protecting ourselves in hot weather, and that is our vehicles. Not only can the hot summer sun and climate affect the performance and safety of your car, it can also put you in a dangerous position if your vehicles breaks down.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about driving in hot weather, including what to do if your car overheats or breaks down on a hot summer day.

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Cars and Hot Weather

A car will overheat if it is operated in excessive sun and high temperatures. As the outside temperatures increase, so does the rate at which your car engine produces and retains heat. As a result, engines can quickly become too hot and stop functioning properly. Also, if your car overheats on a hot summer day, you can be subjected to your own set of health and safety risks, especially if you do not have access to water or air conditioning. This is even more dangerous for children and individuals with existing health conditions.

What To Do if it Happens to You

Operating a vehicle that is overheating is extremely dangerous and should never be attempted. Instead, if your car or truck overheats, your first step is find a safe spot to pull over immediately. Once you are safely pulled over to the side of the road, turn off your ignition and wait for your car to cool down enough to check the coolant. If your coolant (antifreeze) is low, top it off with the extra bottle you hopefully carry with you at all times. See our blog, “What to Put in Your Summertime Roadside Emergency Kit” to learn what you should have on hand.

If your car cools down enough to start it back up, do so, but without the AC on. The air conditioning uses a lot of energy, so instead, drive with the windows down until you reach your destination. In fact, it helps to put your heat on max; although very uncomfortable, it will pull heat away from your engine and cool it off. If your car will not cool down, contact a local Indianapolis tow truck for assistance. You do not want to be sitting in a hot car in hot weather for too long, as this is extremely dangerous.

Call an Emergency Tow Truck in Indianapolis

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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Where to Find Private Property Parking Solutions in Central Indiana

Posted on July 9, 2019 by Zores

Your private parking lot is more than a convenience, it is an asset. For this reason, it is common for property owners to take certain precautions to ensure their private lots remains private. But how does someone meet these property goals? The answer is property management. To manage and supervise your private parking lot, you need a professional property management service to develop and implement the right plan for your premises.

The challenge is to find a service provider that you can trust to meet your private property parking lot needs, including experience, fleets, resources, flexible scheduling, fair rates, sufficient staff, and more. There are hundreds of fly-by-the-night towing companies here in Indiana that claim to provide such services, but turn out to be a huge loss of time and money.

So where can you find trusted private property parking solutions in Indianapolis? THAT answer is Zore’s Inc.

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Property Management Services

Do you have to deal with nuisance parking infractions, such as unregistered, abandoned, and illegally parked vehicles? Or maybe you want to provide guests and staff with safe and convenient parking lot and vehicular assistance? If so, you are a good candidate for private property management in Indiana.

A property management service provider will ensure your private parking lot is supervised 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year; even on National holidays like Christmas and New Years’ Day. See our blog, “The Benefits of Property Management Towing Services” to learn more reasons to consider private property management.

Here at Zore’s Inc. in Indianapolis, we are those service providers who can meet and exceed your needs for private property management! We understand just how important it is to preserve the professionalism and accessibility of your property, which is why we provide prompt and professional, 24 hour property management solutions for private residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal properties all throughout Central Indiana.

Learn Why You Should Choose Us:

✨ When we tow or assist vehicles in your lot, THERE IS NEVER AN ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU!

🥇 Serving Hoosiers Since 1927
🥇 Open 24/7/365
🥇 Certified Tow Truck Drivers
🥇 Family Owned & Operated
🥇 Computerized Dispatching
🥇 35+ Fleet of Trucks
🥇 GPS Management System
🥇 Competitive, Economy-Based Prices

Primary Services Include:

Contact Us for a Free Quote!

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for prompt, 24 hour private property parking lot management 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.

3 Things You Should NEVER Do When a Car Engine Overheats

Posted on June 28, 2019 by Zores

An overheating car could be caused by a variety of reasons. It could be a broken radiator, a kinked radiator hose, a faulty thermostat, and maybe even a lack of coolant. There are many more reasons as well. No matter what the cause, if you are ever in a similar situation, there are three major things you should never do while your car is still hot or overheating.

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❶ NEVER Continue Driving

When you first notice that your vehicle is overheating, it is crucial to pull over and stop the car immediately. An overheating car should never be driven. This can be very dangerous. Wait until your car is entirely cooled down before starting the engine again.

❷ Never Check Radiator Fluid

Checking your fluid levels in your radiator when the car is overheating is simply asking for trouble. It can be extremely dangerous. There is a lot of pressure built up beneath the radiator cap. Boiling hot fluids and steam can shoot out at high speeds, potentially burning and injuring anyone in its path. Determine whether or not you are on an inline for accurate fluid readings. If the car is not level, the fluids cannot be level.

❸ Never Use Cold Water

When a car’s engine has overheated, do not put cold water in the vehicle. Not only can this damage the engine block and cause it to crack, it can lead to other severe auto damages and costly repairs. Let a car cool down completely, as mentioned earlier, before tending to an overheated engine.

Causes for Overheating Engine

The most common reason a car overheats is because it is out of coolant! If you use the improper coolant concentration in your vehicle, you can definitely expect it to overheat at some point. 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. If you don’t have your owners’ manual, look online for a replacement copy. You can download one for free by visiting your vehicle’s manufacturer website.

What You SHOULD DO

First and foremost, always be sure to let the engine cool down completely before opening the hood. Now, since the most common reason a car overheats is because it is out of coolant, always keep a bottle of radiator fluid in your trunk so that you can be prepared in the case of an emergency. If you are stuck on the side of the road with no one to call for help, contact a local 24 hour roadside assistance tow truck for help.

24 Hour Roadside Assistance in Indianapolis

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.

Long Distance Driving Tips for Summer

Posted on June 11, 2019 by Zores

If you have a summer road trip planned, be sure you are prepared to take on the road, safely and efficiently. Continue reading to learn the top tips for driving long distances.

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Road Trip Safety

Long distance driving can come with many risks and dangers. This is especially true since you cannot trust what other drivers around you do on the road. With this in mind, it is wise to review how you can be a safer, better driver when crossing the state borders with friends and family. Whether you are loading up the family for a road trips to the beach, or getting ready for a cross-country visit to Grandma’s house, there are many things you can do to make the drive safer and more convenient, for yourself and your passengers.

Here are some of the most recommended long distance driving tips to consider when planning your summer road trip:

🚗 Diagnostics and Maintenance

Before taking any road trip that requires long distance driving, your first priority is to ensure your vehicle is up for the job. Have your mechanic inspect and service your ride before hitting the road. You do not want to find yourself on the side of the road with an overheating engine or in a storm with broken windshield wipers.

📲 Cartography Basics

It is helpful to both your time and patience to map out your route ahead of time. It also helps to map out secondary routes in case you run into road construction, backups, and perhaps some attractions you want to stop and see. Be sure to download your route on Google maps on your smart phone in case you find yourself without any WIFI or reception. This way, you have your map at all times.

💽 Entertainment

When you set out on a long-distance road trip, there is not much entertainment you can provide yourself as the driver; after all, your priority is the road. However, there are still things you can do to make the trip more comfortable and convenient, and therefore, more efficient. Include coolers with snacks and drinks, music, blankets, pillows, phone and tablet chargers, and a comfortable seat cushion. Also, be sure you have a medical kit and a roadside emergency kit on hand.

Additional Tips:

⛿ Map out gas stations and schedule stops so you never run out of fuel.

⛿ Map out rest stops and take breaks along the way.

⛿ Avoid driving long distances alone.

MOST IMPORTANTLY: Never drive fatigued or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Long Distance Towing and 24 Hour Roadside Assistance

If you find yourself in a jam while on your road trip, trust Zore’s Towing for help anytime! Call us at 317-247-8484 for prompt, 24 hour towing and roadside assistance in Indianapolis and throughout Central Indiana. 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.

Trailer Hitch Adapter Installation Tips

Posted on May 13, 2019 by Zores

Recently, we published a blog discussing why you should not use a hitch-mounted wheelchair or scooter lift with a trailer hitch adapter. In today’s blog, we will further this discussion by giving you a guide to installing a trailer hitch adapter for all your other towing needs and applications. Continue reading to get started!

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Why Use a Trailer Hitch Adapter?

Using a trailer hitch adapter comes with many benefits. Not only does it make it easier to use a 2 inch hitch accessory with a 1 ¼ inch receiver, it also provides a steady and reliable option for hitch mounted bike racks and cargo carriers designed for 2” receiver hitches.

What You Need to Watch Out For

As mentioned above and in an earlier blog, never use a hitch-mounted carrier lift with a trailer hitch adapter. Furthermore, when using a trailer hitch adapter, be sure to use a cargo support system, such as straps, to prevent movement of your load, as well as, decrease extra stress on the adapter.

Additionally, you much check your receiver hitch tongue weight rating before setting up. You want your tongue weight rating to be greater than your combined cargo weight. See our blog, “A Review of Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings” to learn where to find your trailers GWR, and how to calculate your numbers.

Installing a Trailer Hitch Adapter

The most important aspect of installing a trailer hitch adapter is security. Not only do you want to ensure that your hitch is secure, you want to ensure that your cargo will be safe during transport. Fortunately, installation is relatively easy. Start by inserting the trailer hitch adapter into your towing vehicle’s receiver. Then secure the pins and clips. From there, install your 2” accessory, also securing it with pins and clips. Finish by fortifying your load with cargo support straps.

Where to Find Professional Towing Assistance

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for safe and affordable Indianapolis tow truck services you can trust. Our licensed and insured tow truck 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!

Do Not Use a Hitch-Mounted Carrier Lift with a Trailer Hitch Adapter

Posted on April 15, 2019 by Zores

If you have a hitch-mounted wheelchair or scooter lift that you wish to install on a vehicle, it is not recommended to use it with a trailer hitch adapter. There are many hazards that can arise from this arrangement, such as asset damage, vehicular damage, and even traffic accidents. Continue reading to learn why you should not pair a hitch-mounted carrier with a trailer hitch adapter, and what you can do instead for optimal safety and performance.

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Why It Won’t Work

Why should you not use your hitch-mounted carrier with a trailer hitch adapter? Well, hitch receivers with a 1¼ inch opening are not designed with the proper tongue weight capacity to support the total weight of the carrier and the asset it is holding. For this reason, it is vital that you are fully aware of your vehicle’s limitations before you choose a particular carrier or lift.

Keep in mind, if you were to use your hitch-mounted carrier with a trailer hitch adapter, you are literally cutting your tongue weight capacity in half. For this reason, this combination should only be used on vehicles with stiff suspensions, such as full-size pickup trucks, truck-style SUVs, and large vans.

Hitch Class Ratings and Tongue Weight

Most often, cars and minivans have Class 1 or 2 hitches, while trucks and sports utility vehicles usually have Class 3, 4, or 5 hitches. Knowing your vehicle’s tongue weight, hitch class, and rating is an essential part of safely using a wheelchair or scooter lift. Usually, such lifts require at least a Class 3 hitch rating. How do you find your vehicle’s hitch class? Simply refer to the manufacturer label on the trailer hitch. If it is an old lift and the label is not clear, you can also measure the opening yourself.

As for tongue weight, see our blog, “A Brief Explanation of Tongue Weight (TW)” to learn what you need to know. Basically, tongue weight is the downward force that is applied onto a vehicle’s trailer hitch. In terms of a wheelchair/scooter lift, the tongue weight is measured by adding the total weight of the lift and the asset, together. Beware, an improper setup can lead to your carrier and asset bending downward toward the road and breaking off the trailer hitch.

Refer to your vehicle’s owners’ manual for manufacturer’s recommended tongue weight. If you cannot locate your manual, you can look up these values online, or you can adhere to the general rule of thumb, which is that your tongue weight should not exceed 10% of your gross trailer weight. See our blog, “A Review of Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings” to learn how to measure your vehicle’s gross weight rating, and how to apply it with your carrier.

Alternatives and Tips

Aside from hitch classes, tongue weight, and gross weight ratings, is also important to pay attention to the height of the hitch. Lower hitch heights can put your carrier at risk of scraping against sidewalks, curbs, and driveways. To avoid this, be sure to install a hitch height adapter. If you have not yet purchased a wheelchair/scooter carrier, start by measuring your wheelchair or scooter dimensions. Measure the length and width (from the outside tires), as well as the total weight of the asset, including the battery and any accessories (ramps, straps, etc.).

Indianapolis Towing Professionals

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!

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A Review of Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings

Posted on April 8, 2019 by Zores

Before towing a trailer, or any sort of cargo, it is important to have an adequate understanding of your GVWR, otherwise known as “gross vehicle weight rating.” Continue reading for a quick review on all things related, including how to calculate your GVWR, as well as, recommended trailer towing tips and more!

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating – GVWR

A gross vehicle weight rating, or GVWR, is the manufacturer-engineered maximum capacity of weight your vehicle can safely tow. By adhering to this manufacturer load capacity, you will ensure that your vehicle is not towing too much weight. If you were to exceed your gross vehicle weight rating, it could cause a wide range of damage to your vehicle’s drive train, transmission, brakes, suspension, engine, and more.

GVWR and Tongue Weight (TW)

To learn your vehicle’s GVWR, all you have to do is open the driver’s side door and look at the label on the door jam. Here, you will find the gross vehicle weight rating, as well as, other pertinent information for towing, hauling, and more. This figure is meant to encompass the weight of the passengers, cargo, persona affects, and the towing vehicle’s total weight. It does not, however, include the total weight of the trailer (also known as the vehicle’s gross weight) nor trailer tongue weight, which is where your calculations come into play. Keep in mind that proper tongue weight is approximately 10 to 15% of the total trailer weight when loaded with cargo. Read our blog, “A Brief Explanation of Tongue Weight (TW)” to review trailer tongue weight facts.

In order to calculate your towing vehicle’s true GVWR, you will need to do a little math; but not to worry, it’s merely some simple adding and subtracting. For instance, if your GVWR is 7,000 pounds and your trailer weighs 600 pounds, simply subtract your trailer weight from the GVWR, and then use that figure as your actual gross vehicle weight rating. From there, you will need to continue to subtract the weight of any passengers, cargo, personal belongings, and the towing vehicle weight.

Here is an example:

Towing Vehicle Weight – 5,000 lbs.
GVWR – 6,884 lbs.
Trailer Weight – 550 lbs.

✨ The towing vehicle, with the trailer attached, can safely haul up to 1,334 lbs. without exceeding the max weight rating. This figure must include the total weight of all passengers, cargo, and personal belongings in the whole convoy.

Where to Get Professional Towing Assistance

Basic Facts About Tow Bars

Posted on March 22, 2019 by Zores

Whether you need to flat tow a dinghy with a car, truck, or RV, you will most certainly require a tow bar. The tow bar is one of the most obvious and easily discernable components in a towing set up, as it is generally shaped in a large “V” formation, and lies between the towing vehicle and the dinghy being towed. It also happens to be one of the most central components, as it allows you to safely flat-tow your wheeled commodity. There are some important facts you should know about tow bars before setting up your own rig and hitting the road.

Continue reading to review some basic information about tow bars, including the two common types on the market and their benefits.

Types of Tow Bars

Tow bars come in a sorts of versions, all of which differ in towing capacity, mounting style, and overall design. The tow bar you will require for your dinghy set up will depend on these factors and more. Be sure to review the manufacturers’ instructions, as well as the owners’ manual of your towing vehicle, before setting up your tow bar. The two most common mounting styles for tow bars include car-mounted and RV-mounted tow bars.

🚌 RV-Mounted Tow Bars:

RV-mounted tow bars deliver precision and stability. Furthermore, they insert directly into the RV’s hitch receiver, which means there is no need for an additional connection point (a coupler) that most car-mounted types require. Although you won’t be using a coupler on an RV-mounted tow bar, you will need your hitch lock to secure the bar to the receiver. RV-mounted tow bars are also easy store, provide highly stable connections, improve safety, compatible with hitch adapters, and easy to adjust.

🚙 Car-Mounted Tow Bars:

Car-mounted tow bars are used on towing vehicles like cars, trucks, SUV’s, and vans. They came long before the introduction of RV-mounted tow bars, and still play a vital role in dinghy towing to this very day. They operate similarly to an A-trailer since they connect to the trailer hitch ball via an integrated coupler. Their integrated coupler can be locked to a hitch ball, adding more security and stability. Furthermore, they come in a range of sizes, including 2″ and 2^5/16” balls, and even pintle hitches.

24 Hour Towing and Recovery

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If you need towing help, 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.

A Brief Explanation of Tongue Weight (TW)

Posted on March 11, 2019 by Zores

When it comes to safe towing, the most important factor is knowledge. And part of this knowledge is knowing your tow weights. This includes the weight of your load, the capacity of your towing vehicle, and your towing trailer’s tongue weight. Most experienced towers are familiar with their load weight and capacities, but many tend to overlook tongue weight, which is equally important as the rest.

Continue reading for a brief explanation of these weights, with a primary focus on tongue weight.

What is Tongue Weight?

Tongue weight is the downward force or pressure the trailer puts on the back of the towing vehicle (specifically on the ball by the trailer coupler). Why is this weight measurement important? Well, too much weight on the back of the vehicle can cause it to raise in the front, thus making the rear brakes work too hard. Too little weight can cause the trailer and vehicle to be unleveled, which is dangerous while taking turns or driving at high speeds.

Tongue weight should never be more than 15% of the total trailer weight, including the weight of its cargo. This weight calculation is referred to as “gross trailer weight”, which is the same as “gross vehicle mass”, or “GVM.” See our blog, “Towing Acronyms for Vehicle Manufacturer Specifications” to learn all the weight definitions for safe towing. For now, here are two additional towing weight definitions you need to know in order to tow a trailer safely:

➤ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) – The acronym, “GVWR” stands for “Gross Vehicle Weight Rating”, which refers to the maximum recommended weight of the vehicle or trailer when it is fully loaded in adherence to the manufacturer’s recommendation.

➤ Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) – The acronym, “GCVWR” stands for “Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating”, which refers to the combined weight of a trailer and the towing vehicle, including all passengers, as well as, fuel, equipment, and the cargo on the trailer.

Unsure of Your Towing Weight Capacities?

If you are not sure what your weight capacities are for your trailer and towing vehicle, refer to the owners’ manual for both. See our blog, “What is a Compliance Certification Label and Where is it on My Car?” to learn more about the importance of calculating these figures. If you need to replace a lost owners’ manuals for your trailer and/or vehicle, you can download them online, sometimes for free.

Need Professional Towing?

Indianapolis Towing & Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

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

How to Install a Trailer Hitch Adapter

Posted on February 28, 2019 by Zores

Our February blogs, seen to the right, “How to Transport a Car Across the Country”, and, “How to Test Tire Tread Using a Penny”, have certainly turned this month into the month of “How To’s!” So we why not end the month with one more “How To” blog?

After some thought, we realized that many novice towers are always asking questions about setting up hitch receivers and adapters. If you have a trailer and towing vehicle, you might want to review the steps for doing both. Continue reading to learn a quick guide to installing a trailer hitch adapter, as well as, some helpful tips for hitch receivers.

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Trailer Hitch Adapters

Trailer hitch adapters are great because they do just that: adapt. You can use them with a 2 inch hitch accessory with a 1 ¼ inch receiver. Even better, trailer hitch adapters can also be used with hitch-mounted bike racks and cargo carriers that are designed for a 2 inch receiver hitch. Keep in mind, you still must use cargo support straps to prevent your cargo from moving around or creating strain on your trailer hitch.

Before getting started, it is critical to DOUBLE CHECK the receiver hitch tongue weight rating. The tongue weight needs to be higher than the combined weight of the cargo and the apparatuses used to secure everything. See our article, “The 5 Hitch Classes and Their Maximum Load Capacities” to learn more about tongue weight (TW) and gross trailer weight (GTW).

Trailer Hitch Adapter Installation Guide:

Step ❶ – Insert the adapter into your vehicle’s receiver hitch. Then secure it with the pin and clip.

Step ❷ – Install the 2” hitch accessory, then secure it using the pin and clip.

Step ❸ – Secure the hitch accessory with cargo support straps.

Step ❹ – Periodically inspect the hitch accessory as you use it to ensure the trailer hitch adapter and cargo straps are still secure and in place.

When You Need Professional Towing in Indianapolis

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