For any car owner it pays to take a moment to see and understand your own car’s exhaust is telling as it can also tell you a lot about your car. 

Of course black exhaust isn’t the only color you should watch out for. Other colors also indicate that there is something wrong with your vehicle. It’s time to decipher that.

Here are the colors you should also watch out for:

Bluish Exhaust

A bluish-gray exhaust can be surprising to see as it isn’t usually produced by vehicles. This color indicates that there is a possible oil leak in your car. With oil leaks, it is possible for the oil to mix with the fuel in the combustion chamber. This causes the bluish-gray smoke to come out of your car’s exhaust pipes. 

This condition can happen after the power input modification of your engine. With the additional stress, the piston rings can get damaged and cause the oil to leak. Additionally, the oil leak can also be caused by worn-out valve seals and cylinder walls. 

Also, check whether the bluish-gray exhaust is produced during acceleration or deceleration. If it is seen during acceleration, then the piston rings are likely the culprit. On the other hand, if it is present during deceleration, the valve guide seals should be checked.

Whenever you notice your car releasing a bluish-gray exhaust, it is best to have it towed to a mechanic so it can be remedied. 

Gray Exhaust

Grey exhaust is similar to a black exhaust and shouldn’t be ignored. It should also be towed to a mechanic as soon as possible to remedy the problem before it gets worse. The possible cause of a gray exhaust is a leak in the internal head gasket, a damaged engine block or a cracked cylinder head. 

The leaking gasket will cause the coolant of the engine to mix with the fuel in the combustion chamber. With the leaking coolant, it possible that there isn’t enough to lower down the temperature of the engine and cause it to overheat. Damage in the engine blocks and cylinder heads should not be ignored and should immediately be solved. 

Black Exhaust

Black exhaust can be a very obvious sight but unlike gray smoke, black smoke isn’t as dangerous. However, that still doesn’t mean that it should be ignored. Black smoke can be caused by different issues that should also be immediately remedied. 

Among those that could cause black smoke is the faulty fuel injection system, a clogged air filter or a blocked manifold. Also, it is common for cars that release black smoke to decrease fuel economy. This is because it burns more fuel than it actually needs and is normally required. 

Need a company you can trust for all your Roadside Assistance needs in STL? Look no further than Reliable Guys…

The post What Your Car Exhaust Is Telling You About Your Car appeared first on Reliable Guys Towing Service.

If looking for professional help, we highly recommend that you don’t just call up a towing company at a whim, you should #1) Do some research and #2) Prepare to answer important questions in order to make this unpleasant process go quicker and so they can do their job well.

Car owners who prepare well are more likely to experience a smooth towing process. Even if it is your first time to call a towing company for help, you still need to inform yourself about what’s going to happen. This lets you be better prepared to handle the situation. Also, it helps you prepare the pertinent information that towing companies need from you.

Here are the 4 things you should know before calling a towing service provider:

What Is Your Location?

Location is the most important information that the towing service provider needs to know. With it, they can locate you and give you the help you need. You can check the car’s GPS so you can pinpoint your location and tell them. If your car’s GPS isn’t available, you can try using your phone to pinpoint your location.

If, for some reason your car and phone’s GPS isn’t available, you can try to look around for some clues as to where you are. Tell them what road your on and what landmarks you see but it will still be best if you can narrow down your location.

Your Car And It’s Condition

Another thing that towing companies need to know is what type of car you have. You should be able to provide them the make and model of your car. This will help them in choosing the right tow truck to bring.

Additionally, you should also know your car’s current condition. If the car is totally damaged, they may use a flat-bed tow truck to assist you. Also, they can use a wheel-lift tow truck for older models or those that are already slightly damaged.

You should also inform them whether the car is parked on the side of the road or if it is stuck in a ditch. This will help them know what kind of tow truck to bring, which would be most helpful in your car’s current condition.

Information About Your Insurance

Your insurance policy information is another thing that a towing company might ask. This is to help them determine the method of payment you will choose or the type of coverage you have. Some of the things about your insurance policy that you should know is your policy number, type of coverage, payment information, etc.

Mechanic Or Autoshop Address

If your car has broken down, the towing service provider can tow it for you to your home, the nearest auto shop or your preferred auto shop. When you choose to have your car towed to a mechanic, it prevents the additional cost of towing your car once again from your home to the mechanic.

It is always best to choose your mechanic rather than to trust a stranger to fix your vehicle. This is also to avoid overpaying the mechanic who fixed your vehicle. Also, there are times when the towing service company also offers roadside assistance. Sometimes, they can fix the car on the road and wouldn’t need towing at all. 

The post How To Prepare Before Calling A Towing Company appeared first on Reliable Guys Towing Service.

In order to move your car and move it to a shop, you have to call and hire a tow truck service company. Simple as it may seem, it can be very easy to get scammed by tow companies who just want to earn more money no matter what.

Signs To Watch Out For

There are a few thins that can happen when you work with scammers. They will overcharge you, they can bring your vehicle to a shop that will overcharge you again and worse, your car wouldn’t be properly repaired.

They can also hold your car until you pay for their expensive services. To top it all off, they will also charge you with a hefty storage fee that’s why there are lots who simply pay them just to get rid of them.

These are frustrating situations that can make you feel like your just stuck with them. In order to avoid such fraudulent business, there are some tell-tale signs you should watch out for such as the ones found below:

1. A tow truck that conveniently appears when you had an accident.

It seems too good to be true and most of the time it is. If you haven’t called a tow truck service or the police didn’t contact anyone to tow your vehicle, don’t allow that tow truck to take your vehicle.

2. The unknown tow truck ask for personal information.

Apart from appearing out of nowhere and without anybody calling them, the unknown tow truck would ask for a variety of personal information. They’d also ask you for information about your insurance or the vehicle’s lienholder.

3. The unknown tow truck refuses to leave without towing your car.

Sometimes you can be forced to simply take their offer because they’re already there and they make a stand. Don’t make that mistake. You’ll definitely be sorry afterwards.

What Should You Do

Now that you’ve identified them as potential scammers, here are a few things you can do.

1. Make a stand – No matter how much they convince you, don’t give into getting their services.
2. Don’t sign anything – If your not going to get their services, there is no reason for you to sign anything. They can use this contract against you.
3. Gather information about them – The scammers may collect information from you but you shouldn’t give any. Instead, gather information about them. Ask for some paperwork and documentation about their fees and services.
4. Call up a towing company you trust – Even if you haven’t had an accident before that requires you to hire a towing service company, you should be prepared at all times. Do your research or join a roadside assistance club in your area. Always be ready to call them when needed.

These tips are very helpful in making sure you don’t get scammed by other towing companies. But you should also read our tips on what to do while waiting on a tow truck. With these you’ll be prepared in case of a car emergency.

The post Don’t Be A Victim Of Tow Truck Scams appeared first on Reliable Guys Towing Service.