Thanksgiving Holiday is around the corner. Traditionally, people will travel across the nation to visit relatives and celebrate together in this festive season. On average, nearly fifty million Thanksgiving holiday travelers will be making plans to hit the roads and highways for the upcoming holiday season.
Covid-19 Situation
This year, the Covid-19 pandemic has hit the nation hard and grounded many people from traveling for months. It is expected the traffic volume will not be as high as compared to past years. However, there are still a considerable number of people willing to take a flight or drive to their friends and families to pay visits. Therefore, roadside assistance will be expected should there be vehicle breakdowns for some drivers.
During the pandemic, you will anticipate seeing many roadside technicians taking safety precautions when interacting with customers. Examples are wearing face coverings and facial masks.
Common Types of Roadside Assistance Requested During the Holidays
No driver wants to find himself or herself get stranded on the side of the road. However, when driving in major metro or downtown areas, chances are you will see one who needs roadside assistance. Thus, it will be handy if you prepare some contact numbers of towing companies or roadside service providers in the event you need them.
Flat Tire
If you find the tires getting cracked, balding, having uneven treads, then you need to consider changing the tires on the side of precaution. Surely you do not want to get a flat tire on the way to a Thanksgiving celebration.
Dead Battery
When the battery of the car is more than 3 years, it should get tested. This is because the average lifespan for a car battery is between 3 to 4 years. When the lights start to grow dimmer, and you have a problem starting the car, then they are telltale signs your battery is expiring. Change the battery if you notice these signs before your trip to avoid a dead battery during the holiday.
Locked Car Keys
It’s hard to lock your keys in the car these days with fobs because you use them to lock the vehicle, but if you drive an older automobile without a fob, be careful to avoid this mishap. Make sure you have your keys on you at all times. Better yet, put a spare car key in your spouse’s purse just in case.
Out of Gas
Out of gas situations do happen to drivers. Sometimes the fuel injectors or pump may be clogged, which will end up stalling your car. You can prevent such situations by refilling the fuel tank of your car when it is below half-full. You can also boost the fuel and engine performance by cleaning up the injectors and have the fuel filter replaced.
Issues Related to Performance
Finally, engine performance issues can be caused by the exhaust system, fuel problems, or even worn spark plugs. Getting a tune-up before a long road trip is always a good idea. Even if you’re only driving a short distance, get your vehicle inspected to ensure you don’t end up stalled roadside.
Overheating
Your engine may overheat if the coolant flush has been used for a long time. Another cause for overheating is not having an oil change. You can prevent such a situation by changing and replacing the fluids.
Conclusion
Although there are towing and roadside assistance companies taking a break during the festive season, there are some that will continue to provide assistance to drivers in need. They are generally quick and friendly. However, they might take some time to reach you when you are away in a remote area.
Do a bit of research to see if you have coverage for your roadside assistance via your automaker or other sources. You can also look for local towing companies through the internet and save the contact numbers into your cell phone. You will not be panicking when you face roadside situations if you have prepared emergency assistance.