5 Signs You Need Roadside Assistance (Don't Wait Until It's Too Late)

Nobody plans to break down on the side of the road. But in many cases, your vehicle gives you warning signs well before it leaves you stranded. Paying attention to these signals can help you address problems early, avoid dangerous roadside situations, and save money on emergency repairs. Here are five signs that you may need roadside assistance sooner than you think.

1. Your check engine light has been on for days (or weeks). It is easy to ignore that little amber light on your dashboard, especially if the car seems to be driving fine. But the check engine light can indicate anything from a loose gas cap to a failing catalytic converter or misfiring engine. The longer you drive with it on, the greater the risk of a sudden breakdown. If your check engine light is accompanied by rough idling, reduced power, or unusual smells, pull over and get help before the problem strands you on a busy highway.

2. You hear grinding, squealing, or clunking noises. Strange sounds from your engine, brakes, or suspension are rarely harmless. Grinding when you brake often means your brake pads are worn down to metal. A squealing belt could snap at any moment. Clunking from underneath the car might mean a failing CV joint or loose suspension component. These issues can escalate from annoying to dangerous in a matter of miles. If you start hearing something new and concerning, it is better to call for a tow than to push your luck.

3. Your battery is more than three years old and slow to start. Car batteries typically last three to five years, and most fail without dramatic warning. If your engine cranks slowly when you turn the key, if your headlights dim when the car is idling, or if you have needed a jump start recently, your battery is telling you it is near the end of its life. Carry jumper cables or a portable jump pack, and have a plan for who to call when the battery finally gives out. Towrunner Inc provides jump start service throughout the Inland Empire and can get you running again quickly. Call us at (951) 277-6778 any time of day.

4. Your tires are visibly worn, cracked, or underinflated. Bald tires and sidewall cracks dramatically increase your risk of a blowout, especially on hot Riverside County roads during summer. Check your tire tread depth with the penny test: insert a penny with Lincoln's head facing down, and if you can see the top of his head, your tread is too low. Driving on underinflated tires reduces fuel economy, hurts handling, and accelerates wear. If you get a flat, Towrunner Inc offers fast tire change service so you can get to a tire shop safely.

5. You are driving an older vehicle on a long trip without a backup plan. Taking a road trip in a car with 150,000 miles and no roadside assistance plan is a gamble. Even well-maintained older vehicles can develop problems on extended highway drives. Before any long trip, check your fluids, belts, hoses, tires, and battery. And save a reliable towing company's number in your phone. Towrunner Inc serves Riverside, Corona, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Moreno Valley, Norco, and surrounding areas. Having our number means help is just a phone call away if something goes wrong on the road.