Tag Archives: Emergency roadside assistance

How to Change a Tire Using a Spare

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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

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

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.

What Parts Do You Need to Tow a Trailer?

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Indianapolis Towing Company 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing Company 317-247-8484

No matter what it is you intend to tow, there are principle accessories and parts required to turn, haul, and maneuver your trailer safely and smoothly. Without the necessary components, towing anything at all can be a very dangerous and risky choice. In fact, you probably wouldn’t get farther than the end of the driveway without the proper towing parts and fittings. If you are interested in purchasing a trailer, or simply want to brush up on towing rules and guidelines, start by reviewing the tools and parts
needed for a safe and legal tow.

Towing Accessories

There are six chief trappings you will need for any tow. These parts include a trailer hitch receiver, safety chains, pin and clip, ball mount, trailer hitch ball, and wiring harness. Although many towing guidelines will not mention safety chains as a “necessary” component for towing, they are actually mandatory under law. Beneath their description below, you’ll see why.

Trailer Hitch Receiver

The trailer hitch receiver is the portion that connects to the frame of a vehicle on its underside. They are made to “receive” certain types of tow ball mounts. They are assigned a “class” rating that defines their weight capacity, or the amount of weight a trailer is intended to pull. There are five classes, from Class I to Class V. It is vital to use the proper class hitch receiver for the safest and most effective towing possible.

Trailer Hitch Ball

Also called a tow ball or trailer ball, trailer hitch balls come in three different sizes and must also be matched according to weight capacity. The trailer coupler mounts and locks on top of the ball hitch, creating the link between the vehicle and the trailer. Sizes are measured in diameter and include 1-7/8”, 2”, or 2-5/16 inches.

Ball Mount

The ball mount, or drawbar, is the component that fits into the trailer hitch opening and provides a platform to mount the hitch ball. These come in different shapes, sizes, and styles depending on the type of tow you need.

Pin and Clip

The pin and clip is a device that holds the ball mount within the trailer hitch receiver. You can also purchase hitch locks for additional security. It helps to prevent theft of your towing accessories.

Wiring Harness

A wiring harness is used for connecting power to the lights for the trailer. This includes turn signals, flashers, brake lights, and parking lights. Not only are these mandatory under law, they are extremely important for road safety. These should be checked every single time a vehicle and trailer are driven, even multiple times per day.

Safety Chains

Although a trailer can be towed without using safety chains, it is like driving a car without wearing your seatbelt. Safety chains ensure that, in the case of an emergency, the trailer and hitch do not become completely separated from each other while on the road. They cross underneath the towing vehicle and trailer, securing the trailer load to the trailer hitch. Without them, a trailer could entirely detach from a vehicle and go awry on the road.

Zore’s Towing

Indianapolis Towing

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for a professional tow truck services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We retain a full fleet of trucks and equipment, allowing our towing operators the ability to tow anything from airplanes to semi-trucks, and much more! We also offer emergency traffic clearance, storm damage clearance, emergency roadside assistance, free towing advice, junk car auctions, scrap metal recycling, and much more. Call 317-247-8484 to learn more about our Indianapolis towing services, today.

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

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Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

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

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.

How to Patch a Flat Tire Using a Tire Plug Kit

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Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

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

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.

General Towing Limits for Popular Make and Model Cars and Trucks

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Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

When it comes time to tow a trailer or other heavy load, it is important to know your vehicle’s weight and towing capacity. The make and model vehicle you own will determine the amount of weight you can haul. It is vital to match the proper vehicle-type with the type of tow you need. Failure to do so can result in severe vehicular damage, trailer damages, roadway disasters, car accidents, injuries, and much more. Continue reading to learn the weight and towing capacities of some common make and model vehicles
driven today.

Industry Specifications for Towing

Depending on how they are equipped, compact trucks are generally capable of towing anywhere between 2,000 and 7,000 pounds of weight and cargo. Larger or standard size trucks are known to haul between 4 or five tons. Full-sized trucks that are equipped with upgraded engine and suspension configurations can haul much heavier loads, upwards of 6 tons or more. In order to accurately determine your vehicle’s towing capacity, simply calculate its GVW, or gross vehicle weight, and figuring the gross combination weight rating for your car or truck. This equation calculates your vehicle’s weight with the weight of your cargo, to determine which tow capacity range your tow falls in.

Many cities have public weight stations that allow you to pull your vehicle directly onto a scale, for a small fee. When determining the weight of your trailer, be sure to add the weight of the trailer tongue as well. Add both numbers together for your gross vehicle weight, then match this weight to the appropriate vehicle-type that can safely haul your cargo.

Here is a List of Popular Make and Model Vehicles that Work Great for Towing and their Weight Capacities:

• Dodge Durango = 8,950 Pounds
• Jeep Grand Cherokee = 5,000 Pounds
• Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon = 3,500 Pounds
• Buick Enclave = 4,500 Pounds
• Infiniti QX56 = 8,500 Pounds
• Chevrolet Suburban 1500 = 8,400 Pounds
• Nissan Armada SUV = 9,000 Pounds
• Land/Range Rover = 7,700 Pounds
• GMC Yukon XL 2500 = 12,000 Pounds or 6 Tons
• Ford Expedition = 8,950 Pounds
• Dodge Ram 3500 = 16,000 Pounds or 8 Tons
• GMC Sierra 1500 = 9,900 Pounds
• Suburban Outback = 3,000 Pounds
• Nissan Pathfinder = 5,000 Pounds
• Porsche Cayenne = 7,716 Pounds
• Suzuki Grand Vitara = 3,000 Pounds
• Toyota 4Runner = 5,000 Pounds
• Toyota Land Cruiser = 8,500 Pounds

For more information about towing limits and weight capacities, contact a local wrecker company for professional assistance and advice. When you think you might want help towing a large load, they can provide the assistance you need at a cost you can afford.

Zore’s Towing

Towing Indiana 317-247-8484

Towing Indiana 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for prompt and professional towing services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are highly trained, licensed, and experienced wrecker operators that have been serving the Hoosier communities for more than 75 years. We provide friendly 24 hour towing and roadside assistance services for all vehicles, water crafts, and large equipment. Call 317-247-8484 and ask about our affordable Indianapolis towing services and roadside assistance options we offer in Indiana.