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April 16, 2010
Many of us have walked out of the mall or headed down to the garage in the morning to head off to work only to find that our car won’t start after multiple turns of the key. Confused, we may try again and again, wondering what the heck is going on. Once we’re convinced the car isn’t starting we have to determine a course of action as to what the next step is.
When it comes to jump starting a car, the first step is making sure it is the battery that’s dead. If you turn the key and your vehicle does absolutely nothing, no turnover, no crank, then there is a strong chance that you have a dead battery on your hands and jump starting it will be your most viable solution. Read on for our handy step-by-step guide to jumpstarting your automobile.
(As a side note: You should always carry jumper cables in your car with you, they can come in handy when you least expect it).
1. Make sure both cars are turned OFF .
2. Connect one end of the red (positive) jumper cable to the positive end on the battery that’s dead.
3. Next, connect the other red (positive) cable clamp to the positive terminal of the live battery.
4. Connect one end of the black (negative) jumper cable to the negative terminal of the live battery.
5. Connect the other black (negative) cable to a clean, unpainted metal surface under the disabled car’s hood. Somewhere on the engine block is a good place. Unless you want to see sparks fly and a possible explosion, then don’t connect the negative cable to the negative terminal of the dead battery.
6. Start the car that’s doing the jumping and allow it to run for about 2-3 minutes before starting the dead car.
7. Remove cables in reverse order.
8. Keep the jumped car running for at least 30 minutes to give the battery sufficient time to recharge itself.
Keep in mind that if you are having trouble jump starting your car or are unsure if there is more than a battery problem never hesitate to call your local tow service or auto mechanic for assistance.
This has been another Auto Advice moment from your friends at Illinois Towing Service. We provide expert car repair, auto towing and roadside assistance in neighborhoods along Chicago’s North Shore region in towns such as Kenilworth, Skokie, Wilmette, Park Ridge, Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Deerfield, Northbrook and more. Call us 24/7 for service at (847) 966-1920.
March 23, 2010
After a bitter and cold Chicago winter, it pays to due some Spring housekeeping on your car. Your vehicle can take quite the toll over the harsh winter and it is only to your benefit in the long run to take care of a few simple things as the weather gets nicer. After battling months of snow and iced roads, your automobile is sure to be in need of some love and care. Have a look at our spring auto checklist to ensure your car is tuned up and ready for warm weather driving!
- Check your brakes – After a Chicago winter its likely that you’ve used and abused your brakes without even trying to due to icy conditions and erratic snowfalls. Warning signs of faulty brakes include squeaking, grinding, noticeably longer stop times or screeching. Inspect the entire brake system, including lines, hoses and parking brake. Make sure the brake fluid is filled to its proper level. Have the brake linings/pads inspected and measured.
- Get your suspension checked - Chicago winters bring with them some pretty crummy roads. Ice, salt, plows and rapid temperature changes can create potholes and rifts in our roads. Deep potholes certainly aren’t friendly to struts or shocks. An inspection to determine leaks or wear can alleviate bigger issues later on.
- Tires / Wheels – Cold weather can reduce tire pressure, so make sure all tires, including the spare, are properly inflated and wheels are properly aligned. Inflate tires to their recommended pressure. Also, rotating your tires extends their life and gives you better braking and handling.
- Battery Check – Test and replace old or weak batteries, especially those more than three years old.
- Oil Change – Definitely get your oil changed after the long winter. Also, if you’ve been using thinner oil for the winter season then change back to 10W30 for the spring and summer.
- Check fluids – Double check and make sure that all of your cars necessary fluids are filled up and regulated.
- Wash Your Car – We all can get a little lazier over the winter months and neglect cleaning our car properly so be sure to take your car to the car wash and include underbody treatment as well to remove dirt and salt that could have built up over the winter months.
This has been another Auto Advice moment from your friends at Illinois Towing Service. We provide expert car repair, auto towing and roadside assistance in neighborhoods along Chicago’s North Shore such as Northfield, Skokie, Winnetka, Park Ridge, Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Deerfield, Northbrook and more. Call us 24/7 for service at (847) 966-1920.
**By no means is this a comprehensive list as there are many factors and maintenance routines that go into making an automobile function properly. Please consult your mechanic, tow service or dealership if you are experiencing automobile difficulties, vehicle troubles, or need assistance with car problems you cannot handle on your own.
February 23, 2010
The day began full of stress for Morton Grove resident Allan, who awoke several weeks ago to a snowy January morning and a car that wouldn’t start. With two kids that needed to get to school and a big day of meetings at the office ahead of him Allan needed assistance and called us at Illinois Towing Service for auto help.
“It was remarkable. I called Rick at Illinois Towing and within twenty minutes of his dispatch a tow truck was over to my driveway in Morton Grove for aid,” Yalowitz told us.
It turned out Allan’s automobile needed a jumpstart and we were happy to provide him with a car battery charge to get him on his way.
“I was getting so stressed out. I needed to get the kids to class and handle some important business on the job out in Northbrook. I am very thankful that the tow truck team was there to help me isolate the problem and rectify it when no one else was around to help. Their service guy was very polite and gave me pointers on how to avoid future battery drainage,” said Yalowitz.
At Illinois Towing Service we pride ourselves on upholding our top notch quality and service reputation that we’ve built up in Chicagoland’s North Shore area over the years. No auto problem or towing need is too big or small for us here at ITS. If you ever experience a similar problem to Allan’s where your car won’t start up, we have created a list of pointers to follow in this kind of situation:
- The most common reason a car won’t start is due to a dead battery. This does not necessarily mean the battery is no longer good, it can simply mean that it has lost its charge for one reason or another.
- Giving the battery a jumpstart usually takes care of the problem, even if so temporarily. If you need a jump to start your vehicle every time you want to start it, it is definitely time to start investigating the purchase of a new battery.
- If you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with jumpstarting an automobile, then call your local tow or auto service for their aid.
- If you so choose to jump the car battery yourself, be sure to wear a pair of gloves and never touch the cable clasps to each other or any other piece of metal in the car. This will result in major sparking and can also create explosions, so be extremely careful when conducting this procedure on your own.
- Connect the positive (+) cable (Red) clamps to the positive battery terminal on each car. Make absolutely sure that you are connected to the positive terminals on both batteries with the same side of the cable. Next, connect the negative (Black) clamp to the negative terminal on the good battery. There should be no sparks.
- Another obvious cause of an auto not starting is not having sufficient amount of fuel in the tank. Always be sure to keep your car filled with an adequate amount of gasoline. In the winter season we recommend never going below half way on the tank.
- Other various reasons for a car not starting are forgetting to turn headlights or dome light off upon exiting vehicle, loose connection between the battery and the cables its attached to, a defective trunk lamp switch that leaves the bulb lit up or an old battery that has lost its ability to maintain a full charge.
When in troublesome situations and your car simply will not start we have provided the following checklist of pointers to adhere to:
- Remain calm. We know how much stress car trouble can cause and we have been helping people with it for years. Do your best to remain in control of the situation because there are definitely methods to employ and assistance to call for if needed. Even in the wee hours of the night you can rely upon us at Illinois Towing Service with our 24/7 availability.
- Always have a set of jumper cables, a spare tire, a blanket and a spare bottle of water for emergency car stall situations.
- Other items that are recommended to keep in your car are a flashlight, ice scraper and first aid kit.
- Have our phone number stored in your cell phone just in case – (847) 966-1920.
This has been another Auto Advice moment from your friends at Illinois Towing Service. We provide expert car repair, auto towing and roadside assistance in neighborhoods along Chicago’s North Shore such as Morton Grove, Skokie, Wilmette, Niles, Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Deerfield, Northbrook and more. Call us 24/7 at (847) 966-1920.
**By no means is this a comprehensive list as there are many factors and maintenance routines that go into making an automobile function properly. Please consult your mechanic, tow service or dealership if you are experiencing automobile difficulties, vehicle troubles, or need assistance with car problems you cannot handle on your own.
February 17, 2010
Simple auto care can prevent many big or small problems from occurring. Believe it or not, many people take for granted or simply just get lazy when it comes to taking care of their cars. Providing your vehicle with some simple routine maintenance can spare you a lot of potential issues or a tow truck pick-up down the road. Remember to be good to your car, its what gets you to your destinations! To help your stress levels stay low and to avoid potential future auto problems, we’ve provided you with a checklist to use for your basic car care needs you might be overlooking at times.
Recommended to check every month:
- Check your tire pressure. Be sure to add air if they are low. Always refer to your car’s owners manual for maximum limit to put into tires. Also be sure when checking tires for air to also inspect them for wear, damage or possible bulges.
- Visually check over your belts and hoses. If you spot worn or frayed areas its time to get those replaced.
- Always have a spare bottle of windshield wiper fluid on hand. They’re only $2 and it pays to have plenty of fluid, especially in times of inclement weather where visibility is key and conditions can be hazardous.
- Be aware of leaks. If you park in the same spot consistently it certainly pays to check the floor area where you park for any kind of puddles or stains to be sure there are no unexpected leaks.
- Inspect your headlights and tail lights to be sure none have burned out. Lights that have expired themselves are a hazard on the road and are also ticketable by law.
Recommended to check every 3 months:
- Have your oil changed as well as your oil filter checked. This is also recommended every 3,000 miles if you’ve hit that mark before 3 months time.
- Check your fluids. Brake, power steering, battery and transmission fluids are all crucial to keeping a car running healthily. Fill if low.
- Check for corrosion on battery and cables.
- Fuel filter and spark plugs need to be functioning and up to date for an engine to run properly. Inspect these to insure smooth engine running.
- If you are uncomfortable performing any of the aforementioned check-ups, make sure to schedule an appointment with your mechanic or local auto care center.
Recommended to check every 6 months:
- Wiper blades usually last quite some time, but if noticeably worn or are streaking your windshield be sure to visit your auto parts store or dealership to purchase replacements. Most places will even apply them on for you.
- Check your brakes for wear or ’slippage.’ Worn out brakes can create a major safety hazard for you. Be sure to have them replaced and/or checked if constant squeaking, sliding or wear is noticed.
- Be sure to check your spare tire and make sure its inflated. No case where one has to use the spare is ever desirable, but most will encounter at least one time in their lives when using the spare is necessary. Be positive its ready to go in case of one of those emergencies.
With a little care and maintenance a car can live a long life. Taking a bit of extra time to monitor the aforementioned pointers could very well spare you a costly and stressful endeavor with auto repair work or a tow that could have possibly been avoided.
This has been another Auto Advice moment from your friends at Illinois Towing Service. We provide expert car repair, auto towing and roadside assistance in neighborhoods along Chicago’s North Shore such as Glenview, Skokie, Wilmette, Niles, Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Deerfield, Northbrook and more. Call us 24/7 at 847-966-1920.
**By no means is this a comprehensive list as there are many factors and maintenance routines that go into making an automobile function properly. Please consult your mechanic or dealership if you are experiencing automobile difficulties, vehicle troubles, or need assistance with car problems you cannot handle on your own.
December 30, 2009
As Chicagoland residents know, winters in and around the city can be quite daunting with the erratic weather, cold temperatures and wicked snowstorms. Many of us in the North Shore area have commutes to and from our jobs and can even spend up to a few hours a day driving during the winter season when inclement weather hits. Nobody wants any extra stress during these snowy months so we at Illinois Towing Service have put together a list of tips for preparing your vehicle for the winter.
1.) Check the tire pressure. Tire pressure is extremely important during this season. Traction is often at a minimum due to damp and snowy road conditions. It is imperative you have properly inflated tires. This guarantees the best possible contact between the tire and road. Read your car’s owner’s manual to find the correct tire pressure measurements.
2.) Check the battery. Batteries give off little notice before they die out. Bitter cold temperatures can reduce an automobile’s battery power by up to 50 percent. If your battery is three years or older, have it tested at a certified automotive repair facility. Also, make sure posts and connections are free of any corrosion. If your car consistently needs a jump or has trouble starting then its a good indication the battery needs replacing.
3.) Inspect hoses and belts. The belts and hoses in newer cars survive a long time, but that doesn’t mean they last forever. Cold temperatures can hasten the demise of these crucial parts. Before winter starts, you should have the belts and hoses inspected on your vehicle. If you haven’t inspected them yet now that winter is in full swing, there’s never been a better time than now! Always better late than never, but planning ahead is always a great strategy.
4.) Consider using snow tires. The condition of your vehicle’s tires is very important during the winter season. If your tires are wearing down, then braking, acceleration and handling are all negatively impacted while driving on wet or slippery roads. Winter tires are optimized for snow and ice. These tires are not a cure-all, as safety and caution truly are #1 on the road, but they do help to improve traction on slick surfaces greater than all-season tires.
5.) Inspect the wipers and wiper fluid. Visibility is top priority when driving, particularly in the winter, as it is often compromised by precipitation, salt buildup and reduced day time hours. We’ve all been there when at last the snow falls, and while on the road the wiper fluid runs out or the blades continuously streak up the windshield causing vision issues. This is a scenario that can easily be avoided by checking and filling wiper fluid before hitting the road and replacing wiper blades during this season.
Keep in mind that this is not a comprehensive list of car winterization techniques, just a few important ones to help you avoid difficulties and keep you safer this winter. Be sure to see or talk to your specialized auto mechanic if experiencing trouble or having concerns about your vehicle this season. From the staff here at Illinois Towing Service, we want to wish you a happy and safe new year!
This has been another Auto Advice moment from your friends at Illinois Towing Service. We provide expert car repair, auto towing and roadside assistance in neighborhoods along Chicago’s North Shore such as Glenview, Skokie, Glencoe, Wheeling, Des Plaines, Kenilworth, Deerfield, Northbrook, Highland Park, Park Ridge, Riverwoods and more. Call us 24/7 at 847-966-1920.
**By no means is this a comprehensive list as there are many factors and maintenance routines that go into making an automobile function properly. Please consult your mechanic or dealership if you are experiencing automobile difficulties, vehicle troubles, or need assistance with car problems you cannot handle on your own.
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