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.

What Should Be In Your Cary Emergency Kit?

Have you ever been in an emergency situation in your car, but not able to access any emergency roadside assistance? Everyone needs to have emergency items in their car, you need to be prepared for anything that could happen to you. The large majority of people are not properly prepared for a roadside emergency and have no kind of emergency kit stored in the car. As the driver, you need to be prepared for two major categories of issues, primarily survival/emergency and recovery/mechanical. This article should give you a good outline of the basic things you need to keep handy in your car.

Mechanical/Recovery:

Flashlight and Batteries – Just in case your vehicle were to break down at night, flashlights and batteries are invaluable when it comes to being able to see your way around so you can do the things you need to. It’s nearly impossible to get any meaningful work done in the darkness.
Jumper Cables – Leaving your lights, A/C or radio on and coming back to find that your car won’t turn over is all too common of an occurrence for many of us. Any of these things can drain a battery in very little time. Jumper cables are the best and easiest solution for this problem. Just make sure you buy cables long enough to actually use effectively. All too many don’t carry around jumper cables, and it’s a very inexpensive safeguard that we should all have.
Heavy Duty Tow Ropes – Just in case you get into an accident or the jumper cables fail to get your car up and running again, tow ropes are perfect for getting your car to a safer area while you wait for a tow. It may seem silly, but you’ll be wishing you had a heavy duty rope at some point in your life.
Spare Tire and Carjack – Flat tires are by far the most common roadside assistance emergencies people come across. It’s so important that everyone both have the tools they need to change a tire on hand, and the knowledge and experience to do it correctly. Having a jack in your car also goes a very long way, it makes the whole process far easier. These two are usually located in the trunk of most cars or under the rear of the car. Make sure that when you buy a jack it supports the weight of your car. This will help you avoid injuries and get back on the road in no time! If we had any say, we’d make it so changing a tire is part of the licensing process.
Battery Charger – If ever you are stranded without any access to a person who can help you jumpstart your car, the battery charger might be your best option. It is extremely expensive but worth it. It will help you get back on the road and save you from sending the night by the side of the road in your car. It is also a good option for people who are not comfortable with begging strangers for help in the middle of nowhere.

Emergency/Survival:

First Aid Kit – This comes in handy for car-related injuries or any injuries in general. Just in case you were to go camping or hiking and get hurt, your first aid kit could go a long way towards preventing further injury and infection. Even in everyday life, it’s imperative that you have a first aid kit at least somewhere in your home.
Water & Food – You never know when or where issues could arise, you could end up stranded and having to wait hours or even days, in rare circumstances, waiting for help. You need to have bottles of water and non-perishable food stored somewhere in your car for just these events. And more commonly, for those days you forget to grab food or just need a snack to keep your energy up over a long drive.

Also, if you have the room and funds, it’s worthwhile to make sure that you have some of the following items in your roadside kit: small tool kit, canvas bag, mechanical rags, snow shovel, window scraper, multipurpose utility tool, tow strap, duct tape, utility gloves, and a tire pressure gauge. Also, make sure you craft your kit for the environment that you live in. If you’re in the desert you aren’t going to need a window scraper, but you may need more water bottles and rags.

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