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It’s that time of year again: the flowers are blooming, the grass needs cutting as fast as you can blink, allergies are driving you crazy, and surely the house deserves cleaning. Although everyone experiences spring fever in their own way, our vehicles all suffer the same. Pollen has accumulated in your dash vents. Hot and cold cycles have left your tires feeling under-filled and confused. Regular pop-up thunderstorms create dangerous road conditions at a moment’s notice. Not surprisingly, these factors make it a busy time of year for roadside assistance in Belleville, IL. While spring cleaning, take note of these tips on vehicle maintenance. Don’t let the symptoms of spring leave you needing roadside assistance or towing in Belleville, IL.
Tip #1: Beware of Pollen
Earlier we mentioned the pollen accumulation on the dash vents, but what does it matter? Although it hardly seems like a problem, anything that blocks your vents can lead to unnecessary strain on your vehicle. The energy it takes your car to deal with a clogged cabin filter, takes away from its ability to power other important components like your drive train. Fortunately, it can be an easy fix. Brush off the old pollen and debris from the vents at the top of your hood. If you really want to be thorough, take a vacuum to them as well (be careful not to scratch your paint.) If the damage has already been done, don’t give up hope! Filters are often inexpensive and relatively easy to change with a simple “How To” search for your car. Additionally, taking your car through the car wash can rinse all the dried pollen off your vehicle.
Tip #2: Tire Check
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: check your tires. As a towing service in Belleville, Illinois, you wouldn’t believe the number of calls we get that could’ve been easily avoided had tires been checked. A visual inspection before getting in the vehicle allows you to identify any problems from the safety of wherever you parked, rather than the highway. Take note of the amount of tread remaining, and look for any potential punctures. Often a screw or nail hole can be patched for less than replacing the whole tire. It’s better to toss on a spare rather than drive on a damaged tire. We offer flat tire repair in Belleville, IL to make getting the spare on easy.
For assessing tire pressure, buy a cheap pressure gauge to get a rough estimate of where your PSI is at. Take it a step further and buy a digital tire pressure gauge for exact readouts on your PSI. Too much pressure can lead to a blowout. Too little pressure can lead to a loss of traction, unnecessary tire wear, and poor gas mileage.
Tip #3: Be Storm Smart
The importance of tire health is clear when discussing our next point: spring weather. With pop-up thunderstorms throwing down tons of rain, your tires will surely be put to the test. Beyond just poor visibility, fresh rain on dry roads leads to slick conditions and sitting water presents the risk of hydroplaning. Having properly aired tires with plenty of tread is the first line of defense. If you’re interested in doing your research, pay attention to the weather. A hot and humid day early can lead to strong storms in the evening. Keep an eye out for thunderheads forming up high in the sky. If you do get caught out in a storm, reduce your speed to suit visibility and traction. Allow more space between yourself and other drivers to minimize a chance of accident. For an accident in a storm, get clear of the roadway as best as you can for safety, and stay in your car if lightning is present. Lastly, make sure you have an emergency roadside assistance number lined up to get you out of a potentially dangerous situation as fast as possible.
All in all, a safe drive starts well before we get into our cars. It’s important to do the best we can to be safe, though we understand a car accident in Belleville, IL can happen despite our best efforts. For any roadside emergency in St. Clair County, call Paule Towing in Belleville, IL 62220 at: (618) 233-7464 for courteous and prompt assistance when you need it most.