Accidents or road misfortunes can happen. Whether you like it or not, it is part of your life as a driver/car owner. And that is regardless if your car goes through regular preventive maintenance or not. How? Well, even if you are driving at 20 to 40 mph, you can still run over a sharp object causing your tire flat. Or you can suffer from a dead battery and in which case, you will likely need a battery jumpstart. Now the question is, is it a good move to call your car insurance company for roadside assistance?


While it is tempting to call your insurance company for help as you are paying for roadside assistance protection, it is wiser not to rely on your insurance company right away as a roadside assistance response, especially a prompt one, is not always a guarantee.


What you can claim from your insurance company is stipulated on the company’s policy and your contract. This includes the number of times you are entitled for help. The ugly truth is while the policy sounds too good in protecting your vehicle, it does not necessarily make your life as good and easy.


You can call but not always. Why? Here’s what you should know:

• It’s true, it is convenient to call your car insurance company right away for any car recovery needs but experts suggest you leave your privilege for the difficult days. Just because you have the choice, does not automatically mean you should immediately call your company especially if what you only need is a minor service like small scuffing, flat tire service and towing which are very affordable to handle up front.

 

• Dealing with insurance claim adjusters can be a hassle especially if your car insurance company thinks that you are trying to get one by them.

 

• Your insurance claim may get nullified if it finds out an issue out of calling from a third party roadside assistance company but the fact remains that the latter still is cheaper compared to availing the claim. Never call your insurance company if you only need tire change service, out of gas service or a battery jumpstart service.

 

• Paying everything upfront can surprisingly save you more than you think especially with Newark Tow Truck’s affordable quotes for premium quality roadside assistance and towing services. Call us today!

Save your car insurance privileges for the right circumstances. They are free, but like in everything, they have limits too.

Getting a new car is one of the most exciting events that can happen in one’s life. It usually feels so sweet especially if you have been working real hard to afford one. Meanwhile, on another side of the spectrum are those who have already owned not just one but two cars. Consequently, these people are dealing with another set of challenges as this would mean maintenance costs are doubled and the gas expense is bigger, not to mention the garage space that has also been a common problem.

​More often than not, the new car takes over the garage and the old one is parked somewhere less safe. And while you cling to the idea that there can be potential cash out of the latter, the fact remains that your old car is already hard to sell because it requires major repair if not filled with rusts. This is exactly why a lot of old car owners resort to auto wrecking.

But if choosing this as your option becomes apparent, you’ll probably ask yourself, “is there even a wrecker service near me?”  Most wreckers can easily be found on Google or Bing from your phone. Most likely, you’ll want to work with a local tow company as there are several advantages in doing so.

So, how do you make a decision on which Newark towing company to choose? Well, auto wrecking carried out by a professional wrecker service like Newark Tow Truck will entitle you to the following perks:

1.     Easily freed up garage space

One of the obvious benefits of having your old car wrecked is how it can help you free up a lot of space in your garage that you have missed so much – more space for your tools and equipment, and most especially, a space just right for your newly acquired car.

2.     Easy money

Yes, believe it or not, you can actually earn money from having a reputable company like Newark Tow Truck wreck your old car. How? Basically, before the professional auto wrecker does the wrecking, each part of your car is actually inspected; if there are car parts that  that are still salvageable and sellable, they will be identified car and given to you for you to  scrap and sell (if desired). That is a potential earning, right?

3.     The wrecker service provider should  buy your junk car and offer free towing.

Owners can basically have two great options for their old car: either they have it wrecked properly or they sell it. The good news is Newark Tow Truck can cater to both. We do professional car wrecking and we actually offer the best “cash for junk car Newark" program. And what makes it a better deal is that if you choose to work with us, we will respond to your location right away wherever you are in Newark or its nearby towns. Making matters simpler, we’ll even pay cash for your car even if it does not have a title. If we buy your junked car or truck, this Newark towing company will even offer a free tow service for your car. You should never miss an offer that good.

If the aforementioned should have given you an idea on what you'll want to be looking for in a cash for junk car offer.  So, if you ever need premium quality auto wrecking and cash for junk car service, give Newark Tow Truck a call at 973-447-4181 or send us a message.

Okay, so we have been getting a lot of calls lately from customers with "broken down vehicles."  Truth is, we see a rise in these types of calls during winters.  New Jersey winters in Newark can be harsh.  It's not uncommon to have temperatures below freezing for weeks at a time. These types of temperatures can take toll on your vehicle without the proper care and maintenance.

So, when your car is not starting, aka "broke down," here's a detailed list of possible causes for you to diagnose for your vehicle if you're having trouble driving.  The good news is that you don't have to be a mechanic to troubleshoot what the issue may be.  

Note: These are the most frequent calls that we take.  Not necessarily mechanical issues.  

If you haven't checked out your tires recently then it's imperative that you take a look at the treads.  Depending on the tire life, tires should be rotated every 10,000 miles.  If you haven't rotated your tires in a while or every, you're probably due for a rotation. If this is the case, then you'll notice a significant difference in the way your vehicle performs on the road. You'll notice the traction having a better grip on the pavement. 

Furthermore, let's find out what some of the typical symptoms are if you have old or damaged tires.  Has your car been manufactured in the last twenty years?  If so, then you most likely have a tire pressure indicator light within your dashboard.  This indicator light gives you the advantage of knowing if something is wrong with your tire (that being low air pressure).  

Low tire pressure oftentimes takes place during the colder, wintery months.  Whether it's a car, truck, motorcycle or bicycle, your rubber tires will lose air pressure.  If not properly filled up to the recommended air pressure levels, you run the risk of damaging your tires and rims.  The uneven pressure can also affect the alignment on your vehicle. However if not pumped, you're also running the risk of having a flat tire.  

Low tire pressure can also happen due to time.  If you drive a lot and haven't put air in your tires then it's just normal wear and tear.  However, if all of a sudden your light pops on, then it's mostly likely caused by tire damage, such as a nail.   Either way, you'll want to safely scope out your tire, away from high traffic areas.

If you notice that the tire isn't completely flat, then all you have to do is just fill it up.  Keep an eye out for your indicator light. Has it turned off?  If it's a nail in your tire then chances are it will turn back on in about two weeks, depending on the severity of the leak. A small leak isn't going to be a big problem , however you'll want to have the tire removed as soon as possible. 

TIRE PROBLEM NUMBER 2

Now, if you're driving on the highway and run over a pothole or hard object such as plywood or a rock, then it's possible that your tire can burst.  If this happens you may hear a large burst, but within moments of impact, you'll probably know that your tire is damaged significantly.  

When a tire is damaged significantly from impact, you may have to take control of the steering wheel as it oftentimes swerves hard left or right.  The vehicle will also flutter slowly, so be sure to pull over to a safe spot and call for a roadside recovery company like Newark Tow Truck. 

If the impact was minor, you're still susceptible of having tire damage.  You'll know something is wrong if your steering wheeling is moving back and forth from left to right.  It will seem as though the steering wheel is vibrating.  If this is the case, then check your tires immediately and call for help, if you cannot change your tire. 

-Whether it's due to cold temperatures or honest negligence, car batteries tend to die that the most inconvenient times.  We never know when our battery is dead until we're about the drive away.  This typically happens at distant locations or just before you drive to work.

So, how do you know if your battery is dead?  Listed below are a few places where you can diagnose the situation.  

1- Keyless entry failed to work - You may have tried to open or lock your vehicle and noticed that your keyless entry wasn't working. Our first reaction is to think that the battery in the remote died, however, it may be worth investigating more.

2. Interior Lights - When your battery dies, your interior lights will either flicker or will be completely turned off.  If let on, the lights literally suck the life right out of the battery. This is a problem that can be easily prevented, although most light switches are extremely sensitive whereas it's so easy to leave them on.  If let on during the day, it's nearly impossible to know that they're on, due to the sunlight. Your chances of catching the issue is much easier at night time.

​3. Headlights/Foglights - Just like your interior lights, either one of these lights will absorb all the juice from the battery.  However, if left on, most vehicles at least make a noise which will alert you that the power is on.  It's also much easier to notice these lights on , especially at night time where it's virtually impossible to leave on, unless you're toxically impaired (which you shouldn't be driving under the influence).  When your battery is dead, you most likely won't be able to turn these on. However when you get into the car, check and see if your lights are switched in the on position. 

4.  Horn Honk - When your battery is dead, your horn won't have any juice (plain and simple).  It may have zero sound or may just flutter and sound weak. 

5. Engine Won't Start - When you turn the ignition, your engine won't have enough juice to start.  You may even learn what the problem is right away if an interior light turns on (provided that there is a  little juice left).  You'll hear a clicking sound, but your engine just won't start. 

Very similar to a dead battery are the following issues that can take place if your vehicle is not properly maintained.  What we mean is from a "symptom standpoint"  you'll have similar characteristic when you turn the wheel as with the dead battery.  If you're not familiar with working under the hood then we recommend that you allow a professional to resolve the issue.  

1. Spark plug needs to be replaced
2. Blown electrical fuse

Either instance will prevent the engine from starting.  The engine needs a little juice and with either one of these instances, may prevent your car from starting. 

Okay, we get this service call all the time.  "My engine is smoking... What do I do?"

First and foremost, if you smell anything burning or if your vehicle starts smoking, turn all of the power accessories off and pull over immediately.  Once that's taken care of, take the keys out of the ignition and get out of the vehicle.  Wait a few minutes and then pop your hood open.   If you see flames, prior to leaving the hood open, just get away from the vehicle.

Smokey engines are a result of lack of maintenance.  This can either be from the thermostat sticking (meaning lack of water to the engine) or lack of coolant. With proper maintenance, both can be prevented.  

Also, if you recently got into an accident and see leaking fluids, then you should pull over and get an idea of what the damage is prior to driving again.  Mechanical fluids are what allow the vehicle to properly run and if they're leaking, well, then you're bound to have mechanical issues.  So to keep costs down and to not overextend the vehicle, you should just wait for a tow truck to help deliver your vehicle to a auto body shop. 

CNewark Tow Truck will help you get out of whatever issue you find your vehicle in. We do not impound vehicles or remove vehicles that are blocking your car or truck in, but we can handle just about every light and medium duty job. 

Call us today at 973-447-4181 should you need any towing or roadside assistance.