What To Do If Your Car is Stuck in Snow

Winter Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Winter Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

Apparently the groundhog didn’t see his shadow last week, because this week’s forecast is telling us that we might experience some more snow before spring arrives in March. One of the most important preparations you can make for snowy weather is ensuring your vehicle is operating safely and efficiently.

Not only should you have your vehicle professionally serviced to ensure property fluid levels and brake performance, you should also be sure you have all the necessary roadside equipment in the case of an emergency. This may include spare tire, torque wrench, safety gloves, jumper cables, road flares, blankets, road triangles, extra motor oil, extra windshield wiper fluid, and anything else that standard roadside emergency kits typically offer.

It is also wise to have the number to a trusted towing and recovery service on hand in the case of an emergency you are not equipped to handle. One common roadside emergency that often requires professional intervention is getting stuck in snow. And since the snow is coming back, you will do well to learn how to handle this type of situation, safely. Continue reading to do just that!

Stuck in Snow?

Here’s What To Do:

Turn On Hazard Lights. First, you need to turn on your hazard lights to warn oncoming traffic that your vehicle is disabled.

Ensure Everyone’s Safety. Next, you need to ensure that you and your passengers are safe. If you are on a busy road, it can be very risky and dangerous to get out of your vehicle. In this situation, you may need to jump to the last step, which is to contact a local Indianapolis towing company for professional roadside assistance. They have the resources and permits to block traffic and safely pull you out of a ditch.

Get Out to Assess the Area. If your surroundings are docile, get out of the vehicle after you turn on your hazard lights. At this time, if you have a roadside emergency kit with road triangles, utilize them as well.

Clear Snow From Tires. Once you are out of the vehicle, try to clear as much snow away from your tires as you can. Use your hands, ice scraper, cup, or anything else you have that can help you scoop and clear snow. If you see high levels of snow underneath the car, try to clear that out as well. If you have dirt, gravel, sand, kitty litter, or similar aggregate around you, try laying this around your tires for added traction.

Drive and Reverse Motion. After you have cleared a few feet of snow in front of and behind your tires, you can attempt the rocking method. This involves switching back from drive to reverse to slowly dislodge the snow and gain more tire traction. The problem with this step is that, if done improperly, it can damage the transmission. Be sure the car is motionless before switching gears by hitting the brake as soon as it is in the peak of each “rock.” Just do not “floor” the gas. You may need to try this step a few times before it works. If it doesn’t work after a few attempts, you still have one more option.

Contact a Pro. If all of the above attempts fail, you will need to contact a local Indianapolis towing company for professional roadside assistance. It is not recommended to call a friend to tie up your vehicle and pull you out. Not only will you be risking costly damage to both vehicles, you will also be risking everyone’s safety. Furthermore, it is not recommended to have people push the vehicle. This is also very dangerous and can result in serious injuries.

Indianapolis Tow Truck Service

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 affordable Indianapolis towing and recovery, roadside assistance, car auctions, and more. We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, so you can always count on us. As a family owned business, you can trust that our prices are fair and our customer support is sincere. Call 317-247-8484 to request a free quote or information, anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions About CDL’s

If you are interesting in earning your commercial drivers’ license, it may help to review some basic information about the process. Continue below to learn the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about obtaining a CDL.

Indianapolis Towing & Recovery 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing & Recovery 317-247-8484


A commercial drivers’ license opens up a broad range of vocational opportunities within several different industries, from automotive and aviation, to maritime, construction, and more. You can become a truck driver, wrecker operator, construction equipment operative, parcel truck driver, and much more. The pay is great and the benefits are even better, so it is no surprise that so many people, both women and men, are looking to earn a commercial drivers’ license. Below, you’ll find some frequently asked questions and answers that will help you along the way.

What is a CDL?

The acronym, “CDL” stands for commercial drivers’ license. Similar to a standard drivers’ license, a CDL certifies and permits a person to operate larger motorized commodities, such as trucks, semi’s, buses, construction equipment, and more.

What Does It Take To Get a CDL?

In Indiana, you must be 18 years old and have had a valid drivers’ license for more than one year to qualify as an applicant. Furthermore, it is helpful to take the necessary courses to get your CLP (commercial learners permit) prior to applying for a CDL. To be approved for a CDL, the process is similar to the drivers’ education courses we took as adolescents. The major difference is that CDL testing is more complex and rigorous, and the standards are set much higher. To obtain a CDL, applicants must pass a series of tests, both written and field testing, to prove their knowledge and skills. These tests typically cover general knowledge, air brakes and combination vehicles.

How Do I Get My CDL?

The first step in applying for a Class A CDL is to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles. They will provide all the information you need to begin the application and testing process. In Indiana, applicants fill out all forms in a DMV that is a certified state CDL testing site, pay a $35 non-refundable application fee, and go on to schedule their tests for the following day or day after.

How Do I Prepare for My CDL Tests?

To study, you can get a manual online or at your local drivers’ branch. You can also take practice tests for a small fee at your DVM branch. However, it is strongly encouraged to go to an Indiana CDL school where you will get to learn everything you need to know about commercial driving and get hands-on training and experience, all in a classroom setting. This is where you will earn your commercial learners’ permit (CPL). These classes are affordable and incredibly respected. If you are serious about obtaining a CDL, do what’s best and sign up for the proper courses.

Visit http://www.dmv.org/in-indiana/apply-cdl.php to find out what you need to get your CDL in Indiana!

Indianapolis Tow Truck Service

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 affordable Indianapolis towing and recovery, roadside assistance, car auctions, and more. We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, so you can always count on us. As a family owned business, you can trust that our prices are fair and our customer support is sincere. Call 317-247-8484 to request a free quote or information, anytime.

Interesting Facts About 18 Wheeler Tow Trucks

When it comes to emergency roadside situations, 18 wheeler tow trucks are a useful commodity to have around. They are commonly used for winching, roll-outs, traffic clearance, and many other forms of heavy-duty towing needs. Although they are tow trucks, they are often referred to as semis or semi-trucks. However, the cab and engine on these types of trucks are separate from the trailer, and the trailer does not have front wheels, so they are more accurately described as semi-trailers. The average length of the trailer on an 18 wheeler truck is around 53 feet, and some can be over 20 feet wide! But these lengths can vary. Continue reading to learn more interesting facts about 18 wheeler semi-trailer tow trucks.

Indianapolis Emergency Towing 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Emergency Towing 317-247-8484

18 Wheeler Tow Truck Facts

18 wheeler tow trucks are designed with a special motor that allows for constant operation. The engine is only stopped for routine service, like oil changes, or to abide idling regulations. Any other time, the engine remains running.

On the subject of oil changes, an 18 wheeler tow truck can house more than 15 quarts of oil at one time. They only require oil changes every 5,000 miles, unlike standard vehicles that require such services on a more frequent basis.

When an 18 wheeler tow truck needs to come to a stop, it requires 40 times more stopping time than a standard vehicle would! That means they must apply pressure to the brakes much sooner than a typical driver.

A large quantity of the total number of registered 18 wheeler tow trucks are in Texas, California, and Florida.
Drivers who operate 18 wheeler tow trucks typically log over 140,000 miles of driving each year!

Indianapolis Tow Truck Service

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 affordable Indianapolis tow truck service you can trust. We offer 24 hour towing services for all make and model vehicles, as well as, a long list of additional services, such as container service, property management, and more. Call 317-247-8484 to request a free quote, today.

Which Chain Grade Should I Use for Towing?

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Chain is a highly-versatile and useful tool that has been around for thousands of years. Its many applications include lifting, tension, tie downs, and towing. Throughout the years of chain manufacturing, general standards of practice, safety, and inspection have improved drastically. In the past, any type of chain was used for any application, without consideration of these factors. So now, the American Society of Testing & Materials (ASTM), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) all regulate the manufacturing, testing, use, inspection, and repair of chain. Today, chain is stronger, tougher, and more reliable, and comes in various grades for different applications. When it comes to using chain for towing, it is vital to use the proper grade. If you are looking for a proper towing chain, continue reading to learn the different grades and their recommended towing functions.

Understanding Grades of Chain

As you begin to look for chains, you will notice their grades in the form of a capital letter followed by a number, such as G30. The grade is the maximum breaking strength of the chain, and measured in newtons per millimeter squared (N/mm2). So a chain that is graded as a G30 means that the maximum stress on the chain at its ultimate strength is 300 newtons per millimeter squared. As for towing, the most common chain grades are G43 and G70, but other grades are also necessary if overhead lifting or heavy tie-downs are needed. Look below for details of towing chain grades.

G43:

This is a common chain grade that is suitable for towing, meeting all ASTM and ASME specifications. It most common towing applications include heavy-duty towing, logging, and container securement. But this chain is not intended for overhead lifting. You would need a stronger grade for this type of application.

G70:

This is another common chain grade used for towing applications. As a heat-treated carbon steel chain with no additional alloys added in, it is higher in strength compared to the G43. It has a gold chrome finish that protects it from premature corrosion. Its common towing uses include logging, load securement, trucking, lashing, and even trawling. Just like the G43, it is not intended for overhead lifting.

Recommended Chain Grades for Overhead-Lifting: G80 & G100

Indianapolis Tow Truck Service

Zore's Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Zore’s Towing Indianapolis 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 if you need prompt towing services in Indianapolis or Central Indiana. We are certified tow truck operators with an extensive fleet of trucks and a larger inventory of innovative equipment for towing and recovery applications. We offer a wide range of towing services, from light duty tows to heavy equipment transport, and much more. Call 317-247-8484 to request a free estimate for Indianapolis tow truck service, today.