Stay Calm, it’s Not the End of the World

Do you freak out when you turn that key, and nothing happens? Are you late getting places because your car won’t start? Have these embarrassing moments become so frequent that you have thoughts of selling your vehicle?

Wait! Let’s take a second look. Here are some troubleshooting points to consider to narrow down the problem.

Steering Wheel Lock – If you insert your key, but the key will not turn, chances are your steering wheel is in a locked position. To unlock, wiggle the steering wheel back and forth until the ignition locking device releases. This is a frequent problem, but easy to solve.

Empty Fuel Tank – Yes, it happens. An empty fuel tank is one of the most common reasons for a car not starting. Ensure that your fuel tank is always sufficiently filled with gas, to avoid a disrupted start.

Dead Battery – The moment you turn the key, the battery delivers current to the alternator, which triggers the whole ignition system. A dead or weak battery will result in no or insufficient flow of current to start the engine. There will be no sound when the key is turned if the battery is dead. If the battery is weak, the first turn may make a sound, but the engine will not start or the start will be sluggish. Any additional key turns will have no sound.

Listen Closely, Look for Uncommon Causes

Snapped Starter – Starter plays a pivotal role in starting a car, as it cranks the engine. A damaged starter will not allow the engine to start. A clicking noise will be heard when you turn the key. This clicking sound reveals a broken starter.

Busted Ignition Switch – If the car’s headlights turn on, but the car fails to start, then the battery is not to blame. A more suspicious culprit is a bad ignition switch.

Fouled Fuel Filter – Your fuel filter is responsible for supplying gasoline to the engine. A clogged filter cuts the fuel supply from the engine and makes the whole system dead.

Most people can solve a loose wire, dead battery, or empty fuel tank. A blocked fuel filter or broken starter will need to be done by a technician. If you troubleshoot these problems and the car still won’t start, it is time to take it to a mechanic for evaluation.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

If your car won’t start – we can help. Just call Unlimited Recovery and Towing at 919-790-9393 for all your roadside assistance and towing needs.

Why Worry About Having a Tow Truck On Call?

Towing services are essential because they can transport your vehicle home or to a garage if it breaks down and can’t be driven anywhere. First off we highly recommend that you DON’T just try and to tow your car with another car, you could very easily cause severe damage to both, then you’re in need of two trucks! Things can turn south far faster than you may realize. The best thing you can do it call a professional towing and recovery company and wait. Save yourself the time and money and go ahead and call a professional towing and recovery company in today.

The first reason you should not pull your vehicle with another vehicle is that it’s hard to get a good hook up and you need to have super heavy duty chains to avoid breaking. Not being hooked up properly could lead to a runaway car, and if this happens, it can veer off the road and go over an embankment or hit a tree thereby causing more damage. A car moving without a driver is a couple ton wrecking ball, it can cause immense damages. In worse scenario, it can veer into the opposite lane and hit another vehicle or stop dead in the road where someone behind could hit it. Regardless of what COULD happen, you need to avoid the chance of that completely and just have a professional towing company come in.

You Can Easily Cause MORE Damages

A towing service is also essential because you can cause damage to the back end of the vehicle doing the pulling and the front end of the one being towed if they collide together. It is very difficult if not impossible to get two vehicles going together at the same speed, any anything other than that risks great damages. If the engine of the vehicle doing the towing is not large and powerful enough to support the one being towed, you run the risk of putting too much strain on it and this can have detrimental effects on the other car.

You also have to take into consideration that in some areas, towing a vehicle with anything other than the actual tow truck may be illegal. It is considered a dangerous practice which can easily put other drivers in jeopardy. If you are in one of these areas, you run the risk of being ticketed and having to pay a very large fine. Chances are that that fine alone will cost more than a towing service would have to get you safely where you need to go.

Protect Your Vehicle

Using a professional and reputable tow service is crucial because it’s much more safe and also protects your vehicle. You won’t have to worry about any of the possible issues listed above if you do make the right choice to begin with. Towing companies are very experienced and you don’t have to risk any kind of damage. Don’t take the risk, you should get roadside towing service and enjoy the feeling that having peace of mind brings. It’s a great feeling to know that you’ll be taken care of when you need it, and it will save you so many future headaches.

When you need a tow truck call Unlimited Recovery at 919-790-9393. We are here to cover you in all of your towing, parking lot enforcement, and emergency recovery services!

First Things To Check For If Your Car Won’t Start