Photo by Mike

Originally Posted On: 7 Major Signs You Need to Call a Towing Service (touchofclasstowing.com)

To tow, or no to tow? That is the question.

The towing service is valued at $7 billion for a reason. They are essential and provide roadside assistance for many different situations.

Sometimes you know when to call a towing service, such as when you have an accident, flat battery, or flat tire. It is always best to call a towing service for situations like this to ensure no further damage is done.

But there are times when it can be hard to know when to call a towing service. Before your car is in flames or breaks down in the middle of the road, ideally! When you know the signs to look out for, you will be calling a towing service at the first opportunity.

Read on to learn seven situations when answering the question: should I call a towing service? Is a big yes!

It can be easy to ignore the first stall, but ten stalls suggest something else is going on. Maybe it is a fuel issue, air valve issue, or something else like the battery. While it is natural to stall sometimes, do not dismiss this issue.

If you are stalling and feel out of control of the car, do not risk going further. It is the same with other car handling issues. Maybe the steering wheel is off, or acceleration and deceleration have a mind of their own.

Anything that does not feel right, or if you feel unsafe and out of control, means you should stop. Do not risk trying to make it to the auto repair location. Problems could increase quickly and become more dangerous.

Call a towing service instead. They will take your car and you to a safe location, and they can determine if it is a fixable issue.

Sometimes smells may seem like they are from outside the car. But if they do not pass fast, it could be your car. It is easier to quickly distinguish smells if no one is eating a takeaway and your vehicle is clean.

The smell is likely to smell of plastic or burnt rubber. Check near the engine, as a smell from here is a sign to start calling a towing service.

Smells and driving handling problems may occur together. Or smells can be one of the first warning signs there is a problem.

Many people have played the game of ignoring the fuel warning light. But sometimes, a gas station does not magically appear.

Always check if there is a gas station coming up, or carry back up fuel if you are going somewhere remote. Otherwise, you may run out of gas and need to call a towing service. You might think you know how long your car can last, but vehicles can surprise owners, no matter how loyal they are.

Other warning lights not to ignore include the brake light and coolant light. If your brake light is on, and your hand break is not, pull over. You could have low brake fluid levels, or there is an issue with the hydraulic brake system.

The coolant light suggests a leak, the coolant level is low, or your engine is overheating. If you keep driving, you could catastrophically damage the engine and come to a halt. Stop the car and get a professional to come out to help.

If you are not sure about the light, pull over and check your car manual. If you are asking yourself, should I call a towing service? Then do, as you will be distracted and need to be able to focus on driving.

Smoke from your engine may be something minor, or it may be on fire and at risk of explosion. So stop your car as soon as it is safe to do so. It could be an engine oil leak, but leave the car and wait at a safe distance for a professional.

You may also notice clouds of smoke from your exhaust pipe. The color will determine the issue. Standard colors include blue, white, grey, and black.

Do not panic or try to diagnose the problem. It is time to call a towing service.

Do not turn the music up to drown out any strange noises! Noises can indicate brake issues, a failing shock absorber, and other serious problems.

Common noises include squealing, rattling, and grinding sounds.

If you are unsure about the noise, pull over and wait several minutes to cool the engine. If it comes back when you start driving again, it is time to call a towing company. They can do a diagnostic test.

There are certain parts, such as your car’s signals, that you cannot ignore. If one or two signals break, you need to stop and call a towing service.

You legally have to signal before you turn. Do not take the risk of confusing others and getting into trouble with hand signals.

If you hear or notice a loose part, it is time to stop. A loose piece of metal could cause an accident if it comes off. Any loose part can!

You might think you can make it to the auto repair shop for a rattling tire or loose mirror, but it is safest to stop. Otherwise, it might come off completely, and you might not be able to relocate it!

It is natural to debate when to call a towing service, but it is time to contact them! Some signs are easy to ignore initially. But they can cause bigger costly problems and even put you or others in danger if you do not act fast.

Always remember to thank tow drivers, as they have one of the most dangerous jobs in the US!

Make sure you call a reputable towing company to get the best service. We offer towing and auto repair services in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens. Contact us today to learn more.