Vehicle Troubleshooting Archives - Ontario Towing Service

Steps To Follow When You Encounter A Road Accident

While the invention of modern modes of transportation such as cars seems to be a blessing for humankind, it has a lot of drawbacks as well. According to the World Health Organization, about 1.35 million people lose their lives due to road accidents each year. Similarly, around 20 to 50 million people suffer physical injuries as a result of a traffic accident. Undeniably, driving is a blissful experience with numerous benefits. However, it is one of the most dangerous activities that people happily undertake every day. Canada is no exception to this harsh reality. Despite the numerous attempts of organizations, such as the Transportation Safety Board Of Canada, the Canada Safety Council, and the Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals, to reduce the number of accidents, every year, about 300 000 accidents occur on Canadian roads, and around 1600 Canadians lose their lives as a result. Nevertheless, government authorities, businesses such as towing service providers, and even the general public continuously play their part in diminishing these numbers. As reliable and reputable towing service providers in Ottawa, we would like to contribute to the good cause. Through this blog post, we aim to educate and enlighten the general public on the right course of action to take when involved in a traffic accident.

Steps To Take After A Road Accident

Accidents are unquestionably traumatic experiences that can lead to people doing things they would never contemplate doing in normal circumstances. To avoid any mishaps after an accident and stop yourself from making wrong and hasty decisions, we propose the following steps:

1. Do Not Flee The Scene

One of the biggest mistakes drivers make in a state of panic is running away from the scene after an accident. As a result, you make yourself a culprit even before being proven guilty. Besides, you might have sustained internal and external injuries from the accident. However, by running away, you forego the opportunity to receive immediate and adequate medical assistance. Contrarily, remaining on the scene will save you a lot of problems. First, you will be considered a reliable samaritan who acted responsibly in such a situation. Second, if the other party is badly hurt, you will serve a good cause by calling for help. Lastly, if your vehicle undergoes damage, you will be able to make an insurance claim.

2. Asses The Scenario And Avoid Further Mishaps

You have been met with an accident and you can not change that. So what is the right thing to do? Well, in order to handle the situation skillfully, you first need to remain calm. The latter will help you think straight and make the right decisions. When you have calmed down, get out of your vehicle and assess the situation. Take the necessary precautions to circumvent any other damage. If possible, pull over your car to the side to avoid any more accidents from occurring. In the event that the accident took place at night, turn on your vehicle’s hazard lights to alert other approaching vehicles of the situation.

3. Call For Medical Assistance if Needed

If you or the other party experienced any injuries, immediately seek medical help. Not seeing any blood or bruises does not necessarily assure your well-being. If you feel any muscle pain or aches, you might have sustained an internal injury.

4. Do Not Place Blame Or Admit Guilt

As emphasized earlier, remaining in your senses is absolutely crucial. Do not let your emotions overrule your objective thinking capacity. First, do not flare your anger at onlookers or the other party. This is not the time to demonstrate a domineering personality and shift the blame on the other party. However, being too generous is also not a wise decision either. Do not accept or admit responsibility for the accident. That is to say, keep both your anger and guilt at bay. Leave the matter of who is responsible for a later discussion.

5. Call A Towing Service Provider

During an accident, you are not the only one who may have sustained an injury. Your vehicle also needs attention in this regard. Whether the damage is major or minor, it is not a wise decision to drive back home. Instead, seek help from a professional towing service provider and save yourself any more stress.

About Ontario Towing

No matter the time of the day or night, Ontario Towing is ready 24/7 to help you out with any roadside assistance you may require. Whether it is an accident, a flat tire, a broken-down vehicle, or a car lockout, our team of friendly and diligent professionals know how to handle every situation. Contact us for more information. Ontario Towing continues to redefine roadside support with its innovative Ottawa’s Roadside Assistance program. Crafted for Ottawa’s unique driving needs, it ensures rapid response and superior care, fortifying their reputation as leaders in roadside safety.

What Can A Long-term Shutdown Do To Your Car?

Has your car been sheltering in your driveway for months due to one reason or another? Whether you were too busy to take your car out or didn’t have anywhere to go, it is important to understand that your vehicle can develop a bunch of costly issues if you don’t exercise its motors every now and then. Experts say that even if you don’t have anywhere to go, you should drive your car for at least 20 minutes each week. This will help keep its battery charged and prevent rust from building up on the brakes and calipers from seizing up. Some of the most typical problems that your car could develop if you were to leave it unattended for a few months include:

Drained Batteries

A cars’ batteries are usually charged by the engine when the car is turned on. Hence, vehicles that are left dormant for days could experience a drained battery, requiring you to jumpstart your car. Car batteries don’t only drain when you leave the lights on. They lose more charge and voltage when it sits without being used. To prevent this issue, all take your car for a little drive around town, even as little as 10 miles and over 50 mph speed.

Tire Issues

Tires are at a high risk of flat spots if they are not moved for more than two weeks. In some cases, if you are lucky, your tires may be fine after sitting idle for a month. However, after that your tires will flatten and meet the road’s surface due to low tire pressure and the vehicle’s weight. If your tires are not rotated regularly pressure will accumulate on the one spot causing the tires to flatten which could be dangerous on the road. While driving your car periodically can help, sometimes the damage is irreparable.

Animal Or Pest Infestation

Animals and pests usually look for quiet and undisturbed areas to lay their eggs or have babies. There have been cases where stray cats, rats, and rodents have made a home in an automobile used less frequently. Cats can bring their babies to your car, birds can build a nest while rodents can make it a permanent home. These animals can chew on the wires of your car leading to severe and expensive issues later on.

Faulty Brakes

Another common problem in dormant cars is faulty brakes. Since most expensive cars are made of cast iron, the brakes corrode very quickly. Not driving your car regularly can cause the brakes to rust. As opposed to this, when you drive, the rotating pads scrape off the corrosion, cleaning them right up.

How To Deal With Dormant Car Issues

The best way to prevent your car from developing issues that require replacement or certain parts and expensive repairs is to take your car out for a drive at least once a week. However, if your car has already developed certain issues, it is best that you do not continue to drive it. Instead call a roadside assistance service. The professionals will help you understand what needs to be done to deal with the issue. They will also transport your car to a qualified mechanic. Ontario Towing is one of the most reliable and experienced towing service providers near you. Hire us to get professional and risk-free roadside assistance to get yourself back on the road. To get in touch with us, click here. Ontario Towing, located in Ottawa, specializes in superior towing, car lockout solutions, and comprehensive roadside assistance. Their wide array of services, including mobile tire aid and long-distance towing, covers Ottawa and its adjacent communities seamlessly.

Top 5 Things To Avoid While Waiting For Roadside Assistance

Driving to school, work, or any other place over a long distance during rush hour every day isn’t very thrilling. However, just when you think that things cannot get any worse, your car suddenly breaks down in the middle of the road. This can happen due to a number of different reasons, such as a flat tire, overheating, a dead battery, or even a minor accident. You must keep a few things in mind to ensure a stress-free and safe vehicle recovery while waiting for roadside assistance. First, you must immediately contact a local towing service provider or roadside assistance service if your car breaks down or you become involved in an accident. The towing company will tow your vehicle to a safe location or an auto shop so you can get it inspected and repaired. However, while you wait for your tow truck to arrive, you need to ensure your safety and everyone else’s. For that, we have enlisted the top five don’ts you must follow while waiting for a towing service.

Don’t Be Impatient

The most important thing to keep in mind is that you must not be impatient. Waiting for help can add to the stress of a broken-down car, but being impatient won’t do you any good – it might worsen the situation. Once you have contacted a towing company nearest to your location, all you need to do is trust their experience, knowledge, and professionalism in the field. Remaining calm is essential to effectively counter any difficult situation and keep stress at bay. The towing experts will know how to handle the situation even before they arrive. Listen to their instructions on the phone and do what they tell you. Following their advice and doing what they ask of you will help reduce the chances of any permanent and expensive damage to your vehicle.

Don’t Experiment On Your Own

Another mistake most people typically make is that they try to solve the issue on their own. You might be tempted to try and sort the problem to save money and avoid having to wait for help. This rush usually ends up with your car getting further damaged, making the situation even worse. Therefore, instead of trying your luck, you should contact a towing service and let their experts handle the problem. Avoid prolonging the recovery process and more challenges by calling the professionals as soon as possible. Even if you have successfully pulled through such a situation before, we recommend that you avoid solving it yourself and wait for roadside assistance. They are well-trained and well-equipped to do it efficiently. Waiting for towing professionals to arrive might be difficult, but it will avoid making problems worse and aid in rescuing you safely.

Don’t Block Traffic

The first thing you need to do is ensure that your vehicle is not blocking the flow of traffic while waiting for help to arrive. If you can manage, try to pull your car to the right side of the road. However, if your car breaks down abruptly you may find yourself in the middle of the road. In this case, try asking for help from bystanders. This will help ensure the smooth and uninterrupted flow of the traffic on the road or highway. Don’t try to stop every car that passes you because even if the driver is kind enough to stop and assist you, they probably lack resources. The lack of knowledge, experience, and the right tools won’t be of much help. This will only cause a disturbance and hinder traffic. Therefore, you must contact the best available towing company near you and wait for their towing experts to come and assist you.

About Ontario Towing

At Ontario Towing, we offer reliable and expert roadside assistance services to our customers in Ottawa, Kanata, Orleans, Gloucester, Barrhaven, and surrounding areas. Contact us today for more information on our towing and other services. Based in Ottawa, Ontario Towing provides exceptional towing, efficient car lockout services, and expert roadside aid. Their extensive offerings, which include immediate tire solutions and far-reaching towing, mark their commitment to Ottawa and the surrounding regions.

Things To Consider When Preparing Your Vehicle For Long Distance Towing

Whether you’re moving to another location in your country or need to get a customized car delivered safely to your house, you must select the most appropriate transportation mode for your automobile. Instead of driving your vehicle over a long distance yourself, it’s best to contact your local tow truck company to ensure your car reaches your destination safely and timely. Since long-distance towing is quite difficult to achieve, there are certain checks you must perform on your car before availing the service. Here, we will discuss some vital things you need to consider when preparing your vehicle for a long distance project:

Disable Your Car Alarm

While the alarm is an essential device that helps protect your car, you need to disable it before handing over your vehicle to your vehicle transportation company. The roads are often rough and bumpy, which could cause the alarm to go off during the transportation process. This will create unnecessary panic and stress for the tow truck driver transporting your automobile. It can also distract other drivers on the road, causing further trouble. Therefore, it’s always wise to disable the alarm system on your car, let the tow truck drivers not waste their precious time, and let them concentrate on their primary job during the vehicle transportation process.

Make Necessary Repairs On Your Vehicle

Issues like car fluids, gases, coolant, or engine oil leaks can cause severe difficulties for truck drivers while transporting your vehicle. That’s why it’s vital to repair any potential leaks from your automobile. Suppose your car’s engine oil is leaking; it can cause slipperiness on the road, making it dangerous for other vehicles. While a gas leak can be more hazardous for your car, tow truck, and the other vehicles on the road, it could also cause a fire and result in unfortunate casualties. It’s also the responsibility of towing experts to thoroughly inspect vehicles before transporting them for everyone’s safety.

Keep The Tires Inflated

Ensure your car’s tires are adequately inflated before allowing it to be transported on a long-distance towing journey. When the tires are appropriately inflated, it will make it easier for the tow truck drivers to load and unload your car onto the tow truck. Moreover, tires with good air pressure can better withstand long bumpy rides, ensuring there are no shocks transferred to the internal parts of your vehicle.

Clean Your Car Properly

People usually wash their vehicles after they get transported to their destination. However, cleaning your automobile before transporting it a long distance can help you avoid contaminants and other buildups that could occur during transit. This way, your vehicle’s paint luster will remain intact, and help prevent rusting. For this reason, it’s best to give your car a thorough inside-out clean up before handing it over to the tow truck drivers for shipment.

Remove Accessories And Lock Your Vehicle

Detach all accessories and customized items in your vehicle to avoid breaking them while your car is being transported over a long distance. Ask your towing professionals to thoroughly inspect your car automobile for tailored parts that are increasingly prone to damage, and have them removed before starting the towing job. Always ensure your car is properly locked before transporting it over a long distance. This is because leaving your vehicle unlocked can result in both your car’s doors and other vehicles’ damage.

Other Things To Keep In Mind

Apart from these, you also need to keep these other vital considerations in mind when getting your car transported over a long distance, reduced gas level, clearing the trunk and glove compartment, serving, insuring, and others.

About Ontario Towing Service

At Ontario Towing, we offer reliable towing services to our customers, including long-distance hauling in Ottawa and surrounding areas. Visit our website to learn more about us or contact us for personalized service. From Ottawa’s heart, Ontario Towing guarantees stellar, reasonably priced towing and roadside support. Our offerings, encompassing flatbed services to extended hauls, spotlight secure vehicle recovery and elite service throughout the capital region.