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Best Roadside Service is an auto club with all calls answered in the US. Get the best service at the best price with Best Roadside Service, serving consumer and commercial needs in the US and Canada since 1985!

New Cars Are Lacking A Spare Tire

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roadside assistance spare tire

As part of their push to boost fuel economy and lower overall weight, a number of automakers have resorted to removing spare tires from their latest model offerings. According to Consumer Reports, almost 28% of the vehicles sold in 2017 don’t come with spare tires. The result is a significant burden and added cost to those who own those vehicles.

In many cases, vehicle owners were actually unaware of the fact that they were not carrying a spare tire in their new car. Best Roadside Service recommends that drivers take a look in the back of their cars to determine if a spare exists. If there is no spare, they should consider purchasing one.

There are some car makers who have begun adding tire inflating kits as a substitute for traditional spare tires. However, not that many drivers understand how to operate them. It is far too common for drivers to develop a flat tire only to be forced to struggle with an inflator kit that is totally foreign to them. It is also worth noting that inflator kits are substantially more expensive than simply repairing a flat, and they are only effective for a period of between four and eight years.

To prevent unpleasant surprises on the side of the freeway, Best Roadside Service recommends that all vehicle owners check into whether they have a spare tire. Routine tire maintenance is also essential, such as regularly checking tire pressures. If a vehicle does come with an inflator kit, the owner needs to learn how it is used and whether it is still within its functional time frame. Most importantly, make sure you own roadside assistance coverage with Best Roadside Service. Our towing contractors, have the experience with tire inflator kits and can get you back on the road in no time. In the event, a tire inflator kit cannot fix your tire, Best Roadside Service will tow your vehicle up to 75 miles to the nearest repair facility.

The Unofficial End of Summer Driving Season

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Roadside assistance providers

Labor day, the unofficial end of summer driving season, is just a few days away. Millions of us took the “Great American Road Trip” this summer, and many of us will head out for one last road trip before the lazy days of summer fade away. The busy holiday season quickly follows Labor Day and many of us will travel to visit family. Before hitting the road, and especially if you have already put some wear on your car this summer, make sure you follow a couple of quick tips to make sure you and your vehicle are ready to go.

Preventative Maintenance

Making sure your vehicle is in good working order is a must before any road trip. Before you head out make sure that basic maintenance tasks are up to date. Refer to your vehicle’s owners-manual for basic guidelines on checking fluid levels, tire pressure, and tread depth. Follow the guidelines for having your engine oil changed; if you have a professional do it they can check your tires at the same time. Additionally, make sure your spare (if your car has one) is in good condition. If your car doesn’t have a spare (many newer cars do not) following the next step is even more important.

Prepare for the Unexpected

Unexpected emergencies often arise while traveling. Preparing in advance will save you time, money, and stress. Mechanical breakdowns, lock outs, lost keys, and accidents are all common vehicle emergencies people run into while traveling. Purchasing a roadside assistance plan ensures that you have help when you need it.

Emergency roadside assistance plans can eliminate costly tows and cover expenses for lost keys or lockouts, running out of gas, and dead batteries. Purchasing a plan through Best Roadside Service includes benefits such as fluid top offs, fuel delivery, flat tire service, and lost key and lockout service. Additionally, with a quick call to an emergency hotline all your service provider needs can be located in one place, and with the right plan fast response times will eliminate wait time. One call to Best Roadside Service will have help on the way quickly with an average response time of just 34 minutes.

Roadside assistance plans can provide more than just emergency services. Plans from Best Roadside Service offer discounts on car repairs and maintenance through national retailers including, Meineke, Aamco, and Jiffy Lube. Plans also include; Travel Concierge services to help plan your next trip and VIP discounts including savings and free upgrades at nationally known rental car companies Enterprise, National, and Thrifty.

Before heading out for any road trip making sure your and your vehicle are ready is essential. It’s also important to make sure that you take care of your vehicle after returning from a road trip. By performing a few quick preventative maintenance tasks and preparing for the unexpected you can make sure that you won’t wind up stranded during this trip or the next.

Outsourcing Your Fleet Roadside Assistance to a Third-Party Company

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Commercial Fleet Roadside Assistance

As a business owner, you want your company to operate as efficiently as possible. For many business owners this means being hands-on in every aspect of their business. Sometimes the most efficient way to operate your company is to enlist a third-party to perform specific tasks.

For companies that rely on fleet vehicles, those vehicles are what keep you in business. When one of your vehicles experiences a mechanical breakdown or other emergency, your business and your revenues come to a standstill. Traditionally, companies handled fleet roadside assistance in-house leading to high fleet management costs, decreased fleet productivity, and lower profits. The best way to avoid these problems is by out-sourcing fleet roadside assistance to a trusted third-party company.

Outsourcing your fleet roadside assistance has some very important benefits including increased productivity and efficiency, reduced fleet operating costs, and reduced company risk. Utilizing a third-party company for your fleet roadside assistance streamlines the process for maintaining your company’s fleet. Experienced third-party fleet roadside assistance providers can reduce your operating costs by reducing your business’ costs for parts and other expenses. Additionally, you can reduce head count expenses and allow personnel and financial resources to concentrate on your business’ core activities. Reduced time and resources spent on fleet roadside assistance allows for significantly improved productivity and profitability for your corporation. Finally, by trusting third-party roadside assistance for your fleet, you ensure that your employees and your customers are safe and reduce the risk of exposure to your company. Trusted third-party roadside assistance companies will provide high-quality service so that you can get your fleet vehicles back on the road quickly.

Choosing the right roadside assistance provider for your fleet is just as important as making the initial decision to out-source your fleet roadside assistance needs. Best Roadside Service offers commercial and fleet roadside assistance plans that provide 24/7 coverage and rapid response times. Additionally, plans through companies like Best Roadside Service are customizable to make sure you’re meeting the specific needs of your employees and customers as well as your business. Best Roadside Service offers vehicle specific commercial roadside assistance plans that cover the vehicle rather than the driver allowing your company to assign any driver to any vehicle and still receive service at any time.

Developing a fleet management plan is a necessity when your business utilizes a commercial fleet; and deciding whether to outsource your fleet roadside assistance needs before you have a breakdown is part of that plan. Utilizing a third-party fleet roadside assistance company versus handling roadside needs in-house can help you optimize your fleet and maximize your business’ potential.

 

New Cars Need Roadside Coverage Too

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Roadside coverage isn’t just for older model cars. Many people think a new car is more reliable and won’t break down. However, advancements in automotive technology and design come with a whole new set of problems that make roadside assistance coverage a necessity.

According to Consumer Affairs tens of millions of roadside calls required assistance in 2015 with one company alone responding to 32 million calls. Some of the most frequent calls related to automakers removing spare tires, a common design advancement in newer model vehicles. In fact, one-third of all vehicles sold come with no spare tire. Automakers have replaced the traditional spare tire with inflator kits, and equip cars with run-flat tires in an effort to maximize space and reduce vehicle weight. More storage space sounds great, however, run-flat tires and inflator kits are only effective in certain situations. As a result, drivers may need a tow in the event they get a flat. While adding a spare tire as an optional feature is one solution, covering your vehicle with a roadside assistance package will give you peace of mind and allow you to keep all that extra space.

Another advancement leaving drivers stranded is keyless ignition. Remote keys “communicate” with the vehicle whenever they are in close proximity to it. When the key is communicating with the vehicle it is prevented from entering “sleep” mode resulting in a dead battery in the key fob. Additionally, leaving a key fob in the car while it is running can lead to accidental lock-out. Dead key batteries and lock-outs can leave drivers unable to start, or access, their cars. While changing the battery according to the manufacturer’s suggested cycle may help, having roadside coverage assures aid if your key fob stops working or leaves you locked out of your car.

New car drivers aren’t just relying on technology to start their cars they are also counting on warning systems to tell them when they are low on fuel or if their tires are properly inflated. This can leave you out of gas and far from the nearest fuel station.

Purchasing roadside assistance coverage for your new (or old) vehicle eliminates provides peace of mind. Emergency roadside assistance plans cover towing, lost keys or lockouts, running out of gas, dead batteries, and all the other things that can go wrong with your car, truck, SUV, or motorcycle. Purchasing a plan through Best Roadside Service includes benefits such as fluid top offs, fuel delivery, flat tire service, and lost key and lockout service. In addition, national chains including Meineke, Aamco, and Jiffy Lube offer discounts to Best Roadside Service customers for car repairs and maintenance. Best Roadside Service offer plans for less than $80 a year, much below the average cost of a single tow, which can range from $120 and up.

Automotive technological and design advancement have greatly improved vehicle quality and safety creating very reliable cars. But like anything else utilizing technology things can unexpectedly go wrong. Roadside coverage is a necessity for when the unexpected happens.

Protecting Your New Teen Driver with A Roadside Service Plan

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Teenage Roadside Assistance

 

You knew this day would come. From the time your child was small you imagined them reaching important milestones. Getting their driver’s license is a huge milestone for many teenagers. For parents it can be a terrifying one. Like most parents you have probably addressed dangers such as drinking and driving, texting and driving, and distracted driving with your teen, but have you put a plan in place for your teen in the event they experience an unexpected breakdown or other roadside emergency?

Roadside service plans are useful for all drivers, however, they can be especially beneficial for inexperienced, teen drivers. Roadside assistance programs can help make an inexperienced teen driver’s new responsibility much less intimidating. New and inexperienced drivers have a lot to think about between making sure they are following the rules of the road and maintaining control of their vehicle. By having a plan in place in case something goes wrong, teen drivers (and their parents) have one less thing to worry about.

Most drivers learn how to deal with car issues that come up through experience and practice. In the event of a mechanical breakdown an inexperienced teen driver may be unsure of what to do. Your teen can end up stranded along a busy highway or alone at night in an area far from help after locking their keys in the car, running out of gas, or experiencing a flat tire. Having a roadside service plan in place provides you teen with support if they ever find themselves in need of assistance.

Best Roadside Service offers a range of emergency roadside assistance plans to fit your needs and keep your teen driver protected. Plans provide 24/7 coverage anywhere in the USA and Canada, emergency towing service, battery jumpstart service, up to 3 gallons of fuel delivery (gas is free!), lock-put services and emergency personal assistance such as access to trip and routing services and a 24-Hour 800 hotline. Depending on your families needs you can choose from vehicles plans which follow the vehicle, regardless of who is driving (the perfect choice for vehicles with multiple drivers), or individual plans which follow the member, no matter what vehicle they’re in (even if they are not driving).

Roadside service plans provide teen drivers with a sense of peace by taking the worry out of what to do if something goes wrong with their vehicle. Additionally, it eases the mind of worried parents (as much as possible) that know help is available in the event of a car breakdown at any time. As your teenager reaches this important milestone make sure you put a roadside service plan in place and provide some peace of mind for you and your teen.

Effectively Maintain Your Commercial Fleet

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commercial fleet maintenance

If you own a business that relies on commercial vehicles keeping those vehicles on the road is the backbone of your business. With delivery trucks and company cars constantly grounded for repairs your employees will be unable to complete the necessary work to keep your company running smoothly. Properly maintaining commercial vehicles means your fleet works for you to make and keep your company successful.

While commercial fleet management is not a “one size fits all” solution, there are some basic steps that will help maintain all commercial fleets regardless fleet size. Relying on the steps below will have you well on your way to keeping your fleet at maximum productivity.

Preventative Maintenance

The cornerstone of properly maintaining any vehicle, including commercial fleet vehicles, is to make sure the vehicle receives regular preventative maintenance. Regular preventative maintenance including oil and other fluid changes, tire rotations, brake service, and tune ups help prevent larger issues from arising down the road. Taking care of commercial vehicles now, ensures they’ll last for their maximum lifetime and save you business money in the long-term.

To ensure your vehicles are receiving the proper and necessary preventative maintenance, it is important to keep accurate records for each vehicle. Utilizing fleet management software allows business owners and fleet managers to get automated notifications for scheduled maintenance based on vehicle usage. Following a manufacturer’s recommendation for a particular vehicle keeps that vehicle performing optimally and ensures you do not void any applicable warranties.

Proper preventative maintenance reduces the risk of breakdowns and expensive repairs. And improve the lifespan of your fleet.

Proactive Repairs

Even with proper preventative maintenance, breakdowns and accidents can take your fleet vehicles out of commission. Your business can bounce back more quickly after an accident or breakdown when you are proactive with repairs. Advances in technology to GPS tracking and management allow you to be notified of vehicle problems while they are minor. This allows you to prevent larger issues before they happen, and can alert you to problems before your drivers even notice there’s anything wrong.

Proactive repairs also mean less time in the shop and money saved on more expensive, time-consuming repairs. Additionally, for business that outsource repairs it will be easier to schedule proactive repairs with a reputable shop and your vehicles back on the road as quickly as possible.

Depend on Drivers

Your drivers are you first line of defense in properly maintaining commercial fleet vehicles. When a vehicle starts showing signs of impending issues or a breakdown, the driver is typically the first one to notice. Keep the lines of communication open with your drivers because they will be able to let you know when their vehicle is starting to pull in one direction or another and its time for an alignment, if the A/C isn’t working properly, or if the brakes are not performing the way they should.

Good business owners and fleet managers need to develop a system that designates when and where drivers are responsible for inspecting vehicles each day and provides a method for drivers to share any maintenance issues occurring on their vehicle. All employees, including drivers, should be well-trained on how these systems work.

Roadside Assistance Coverage

Even when a company has systems in place to properly maintain its fleet vehicles, breakdowns and accidents can happen. An important component of any fleet management plan is roadside assistance coverage. Commercial and fleet roadside service plans provide 24/7 coverage and rapid response times which help get your fleet vehicles to a repair shop and back on the road quickly. Bouncing back quickly after a breakdown or accident minimizes lost productivity, repair and downtime costs, and lost revenues.

Additionally, plans through companies like Best Roadside Service are customizable to make sure you’re meeting the specific needs of your employees and customers as well as your business. This allows you to more efficiently schedule preventative maintenance and proactive repairs while considering the individualized needs of your business and fleet.

Don’t wait for your vehicles to break down before you decide start thinking about fleet maintenance. Develop a fleet management plan before you need it, and use preventative maintenance, proactive repairs, dependable drivers, and roadside assistance service coverage to keep your commercial vehicles running and your business operating smoothly.

Summer Travel Season and Roadside Assistance

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Roadside Assistance

Memorial day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. This year, prompted by the lowest gas prices in more than a decade, tens of millions of people will embark on the traditional American road trip and head for theme parks, the beach, and other destinations across the country. According to the U.S Travel Association, travelers will spend more than $12 billion over Memorial Day weekend alone with the majority being spent by those driving. Budgeting for roadside assistance coverage is crucial to ensuring your summer road trip results in memories that last a lifetime for all the right reasons.

 

The last thing you want to deal with on vacation is time wasted dealing with “car problems.” Mechanical breakdowns, lock outs, lost keys, and accidents result in wasted time and wasted money. Time you could have spent with your family is wasted calling to locate service providers and waiting for assistance to arrive. Additionally, calling a local tow company or automotive service center can be expensive. According to carhelper.com the cost for tow can easily top $100; and this doesn’t cover any of the costs for the actual repair.

 

Budgeting for a roadside assistance plan can eliminate unnecessary expenses. Emergency roadside assistance plans can eliminate costly tows and cover expenses for lost keys or lockouts, running out of gas, and dead batteries. Purchasing a plan through Best Roadside Service includes benefits such as fluid top offs, fuel delivery, flat tire service, and lost key and lockout service. In addition, national chains including Meineke, Aamco, and Jiffy Lube offer discounts to Best Roadside Service customers for car repairs and maintenance.

 

Roadside assistance plans also eliminate wasted time. With a quick call to an emergency hotline all your service provider needs can be located in one place, and with the right plan fast response times will eliminate wait time. One call to Best Roadside Service will have help on the way quickly with an average response time of just 34 minutes, getting you back to your life as quickly as possible and allowing you more time to spend with family and friends.

 

The summer road trip can be one of the best vacations you will ever take. With gas prices lower than they have been in years the summer road trip has also become one of the most affordable options for families. Budgeting for roadside assistance coverage gives you peace of mind, and can save you time and money in the event of an emergency; getting you back on the road and and back to making memories with your family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most People Need To Rent A Car Eventually

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Big Red Rent a Car Neon Sign

Most people need to rent a car eventually. Whether your vehicle has a mechanical failure, you’re in an automobile accident, or it’s time for your annual family vacation, a rental car can help you get where you need to go when you cannot, or do not want to, use your own vehicle. When you approach the rental car counter, knowing whether you need to purchase the car rental company’s roadside assistance plan can save you a lot of money.

 

When you rent a car, the company you choose will offer you a variety of coverage products to protect you in the event the car is damaged. A renter is responsible for damage to the vehicle including damage that occurs as a result of an accident, as well as, damages that result from a roadside assistance emergency. While you will not be responsible for things like transmission or engine trouble unless they are caused directly by you or your negligence, you are responsible for flat tires, lost keys or lockout service, jump starts, towing, and fuel and fluid delivery. You will also be at the mercy of the rental car company and may need to wait long hours for service providers to help you.

 

Car rental companies offer coverage to offset the cost of repair in the event a renter is responsible for a roadside assistance emergency. While the cost varies by location and company it averages about $6.99 per day according to www.best-car-rental-tips.com. Each time you rent a car you would need this coverage if you do not want to be responsible out of pocket. Covering a rental car for just roadside assistance during a two-week family vacation will cost you an additional $97 plus taxes and fees.

 

Paying these extra fees is not always necessary. Your own personal roadside assistance plan may cover you when you rent a vehicle and eliminate the need to spend additional money. When you purchase a roadside assistance plan you typically have the option of purchasing a plan that either follows a specific vehicle(s) or follows a specific driver(s). Best Roadside Service offers individual plans that will follow covered drivers in any vehicle they drive including rental cars. By purchasing an individual plan, you can avoid paying the extra price every time you rent a car and instead use the savings for something else.

 

An advantage to having your own personal roadside assistance coverage, instead of relying on purchasing one through a rental car company, is that you can save money on the car rental fee itself. When you purchase a roadside assistance plan through Best Roadside Service you will receive access to VIP discounts including savings and free upgrades at nationally known rental car companies Enterprise, National, and Thrifty. Additionally, you will have access to more than 45,000 service providers and an average response time of 34 minutes.

 

Next time you rent a car make sure you’re covered by purchasing an individual roadside assistance plan first. This will save you money on the car rental fee, eliminate the need for purchasing costly daily coverage through a car rental company, and will provide you peace of mind in your own vehicle the rest of the year.

Top Misconceptions About Roadside Assistance Coverage

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Photo of caucasian businesswoman standing next to her car and calling assistance for car problems

In today’s busy world few things can sideline you faster than a vehicle breakdown. The thought of being stranded on the side of a busy highway, paying exorbitant towing and repair fees, locking your keys in your car, or running out of gas can be stressful. Many people do not understand the ins and outs of what is covered by roadside assistance plans and can easily become overwhelmed; and common misconceptions about roadside assistance coverage add to the confusion. When it comes to roadside assistance coverage there are 2 major misconceptions; first, that roadside assistance only covers towing, and second that coverage is only available near big cities and well-populated areas. Debunking these common misconceptions about roadside assistance coverage can help you better understand the value and protection a roadside assistance plan can provide.

Roadside Assistance Only Covers Towing

A common misconception about roadside assistance coverage is that it only provides towing services. When your vehicle breaks down, whether in your driveway or on the side of the road, you will need to have it towed to a mechanic for repair and roadside coverage includes this service; however, while towing service is a fundamental benefit of roadside assistance coverage it is far from the only benefit.  

 

When your vehicle malfunctions, roadside service providers can also help you put your spare tire on or give you a jump start. If you have locked your keys in your car or run out of fuel roadside service providers can help you with that too. Roadside assistance coverage through Best Roadside Service also comes with value added services including national chain discounts on mechanical repairs and rental cars while your vehicle is in the shop, VIP Travel Concierge, and hotel chain discounts. Knowing all of the services available through your plan allows you to get the most value out of your plan.

Roadside Assistance Is Only Available in Cities and Well-Populated Areas

Another common misconception about roadside assistance coverage is that the services are only going to be available in large cities or well-populated areas. The thought of having a vehicle breakdown, flat tire or, running out of gas in a city is unnerving; the thought of it happening in a rural area at night can be downright scary. Roadside assistance plans don’t just cover you when you are sticking close to the trail though, they provide you service and peace of mind when your travels take you off the beaten path.

 

Roadside assistance plans provide coverage by contracting with service providers from many cities and towns. Through a nationwide network of 45,000 service providers, Best Roadside Service is able to provide comprehensive coverage for a wide variety of vehicle issues. This coverage extends to both the United States and Canada, is available with one phone call to a toll-free emergency hotline, and averages a 34-minute response time. Whether you’re close to home or work, sight-seeing in the city, or taking a family road-trip out west roadside assistance plans have you covered.

 

When you experience car problems, roadside assistance coverage can be irreplaceable. Many people have common misconceptions about roadside assistance plans making it hard to understand all of the benefits a plan can offer. Debunking these common misconceptions, and understanding all the services roadside assistance plans offer, helps you to better understand the value and protections purchasing a roadside assistance plan can provide.

 

5 Steps to Take When You Break Down

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Breaking down on the side of the road or running into an emergency issue such as a flat tire can be dangerous. Whether you’re in the middle of a busy highway or on a deserted stretch of road, there are safety precautions that you should always take when dealing with roadside car trouble. Being prepared for these situations in advance can drastically reduce the potential dangers to you and your passengers, so read on for the steps you should take before, during and after a roadside emergency.

Get off the road
The first step to safely dealing with car trouble is to get out of the path of traffic. The biggest dangers to you in this situation are other cars, so get off the road, onto a shoulder or off the highway in a safe place. If you absolutely cannot get out of the road and are broken down in a driving lane, turn your flashers on until your roadside assistance company, the police or a tow truck is there to help.

Exit Safely
Staying in the vehicle increases your chance of being in a crash. If possible, exit the vehicle and stand safely  off the road until help has arrived. When exiting your vehicle, exit on the passenger side of the car – the side closest to the shoulder, so that you are not exiting your car into the flow the traffic. Before you leave the car, remember to turn the wheel away from the road and put your emergency break on, especially if you are on any kind of incline. However, use your best judgement here. If it seems too risky to exit your car because of traffic or space, then stay in your car with your seatbelt fastened and flashers on until help has arrived. 

Be prepared with flares
Once you’ve safely removed your vehicle from the roadway, use road flares to alert other drivers and emergency or assistance vehicles of your location. Road flares help other drivers see your vehicle on the side of the road so they can safely avoid you by changing lanes or giving you more room on the shoulder. Use two flares to prepare drivers for your car’s presence. Place one a couple hundred feet behind your car in the shoulder or hazard lane, then another one closer to the back of your vehicle. By being prepared and having road flares in your car’s emergency pack, you can help other drivers stay safe, as well as you and your passengers. 

Call for Help
Once you are safely off the road and have done your best to alert other drivers of your presence, call your emergency roadside assistance service immediately. Roadside assistance can provide a tow truck, someone to change out a flat tire, or in the case of a service such as Best Roadside Service, technicians will even deliver fluids or gasoline, depending on what is needed. The best way to be prepared for a roadside emergency is to invest in roadside assistance.

In addition to helping you get out of a bind, purchasing an emergency roadside service plan can actually save you money in the long term, as tow trucks or repair companies may charge more for one service call than you would pay for an entire year of roadside assistance. 

Let the Professionals Take it From There
Once the roadside technician has arrived, don’t attempt to help them. They are professionals and they know what they are doing and how to safely maneuver around a vehicle with traffic and other impediments. “Helping” them will slow down the process and potentially get you hurt. Once they have arrived, they can either get your car back up and running or safely deliver you and your vehicle to the closest repair shop.

Breaking down is never convenient and always stressful, but if you follow these steps and are prepared with flares and a roadside assistance service, a breakdown doesn’t have to ruin your day or worse – cause you or your family any harm.