Author Archives: Pippin Towing & Recovery

Avoid A Tire Blowout With These Tips!

There are many dangers out on the roads, from other drivers, to hazardous driving conditions, and everything in between. Today we will discuss how to avoid tire blowouts while driving. While blowouts are most common in the summer, it is possible to experience a blowout at any time of the year. Thankfully, unlike other potential hazards, blowouts can usually be avoided with some diligent vehicle maintenance on your part. 

Maintain Proper Tire Pressure

In most modern vehicles, you will have a sensor that alerts you when your tire pressure isn’t ideal. Always heed these warnings, and take time to adjust your tire pressure. This not only makes your vehicle safer, but can also save you additionally money on gas.

Observe Your GVWR

The GVWR is the Gross Vehicular Weight Rating, and can be found on the information sticker inside your driver’s side door panel, or in your owner’s manual. Using that rating as a guide, make sure your don’t overload your vehicle with cargo, people, or anything else.

Repair Tire Damages

You should check your tires for damage frequently. This doesn’t mean you need to have them professionally inspected, but when you wash your vehicle, or whenever you have a minute to spare, look at your tires and watch for any signs of damage. This can include anything from low tread, to nails in the tire, and especially bumps, bulges, or cracks. Any of these problems can lead to a blowout.

If you have a tire blowout, or if your vehicle becomes impaired for any other reason, give us a call at (636) 937-0797 for a fast and affordable towing service!

You’re driving home from work in rush hour traffic, and it happens- the unthinkable. You break down in the middle of a highway filled with traffic. Now what? We all dread this situation, but very few of us actually know what do if it happens to us. Following these safety tips can keep you safe and get you the help you need.

Don’t Exit

If you are stuck in the middle of a busy highway, do not exit your vehicle. It can be unnerving to sit in the car with traffic swirling by you, but never try to cross a busy highway, especially when drivers are already focused on getting around your broken down vehicle. Instead, strap on your safety belt and call for police help.

When It’s Dark

Doesn’t it always figure that when you break down, it always seems to be at night? If you’re stalled in the middle of a highway lane at night, do everything in your power to become more visible. Instead of your hazard lights, which can cause drivers to think your car is actually moving, turn on all interior lights so that oncoming drivers can see you better. If you have safety triangles or flares, try to quickly position them directly behind your vehicle until help arrives.

During the Day

If you get caught during daylight hours, use your hazards to signal to oncoming traffic that you’re having a problem. Strap yourself into your vehicle and call a tow truck along with highway patrol for quick help to safety.

Breaking down in the middle of a busy road can be hectic and scary. Help prevent unexpected breakdowns with regular maintenance and care for your vehicle. To find out more about how to handle a breakdown, or to get help when you are broken down, call Pippin Towing and Recovery at (636) 937-0797.

There are many car components that are important to take care of. Our engines and brakes are some of the most well-maintained functions of our cars, but one of the most important elements that are usually forgotten is a car’s battery. The battery ensures that the car actually turns off, making it a critical component of a car. Because of this, it’s important to get a new battery before it’s too late. But when is the right time for a new car battery? Below are signs it’s time for a new car battery.

Sluggish Start

Usually referred to as a slow engine crank, it is one of the biggest signs it’s time for a new car battery. It will go from starting slower than usual to not starting at all. If you are experiencing this, it’s time for a new battery.

You Jump the Car Frequently

This is not a normal thing you should be doing with your car. A car should turn on automatically when you turn your key. If you are struggling to start the car and have to jump start the car every time, that is a huge problem.

It’s Old

A car battery will usually last from 3-5 years. If you can’t remember the last time you replaced you car battery, it’s probably time to invest in a new one.

Odd Smells

Really this could be from anyone, but if you are smelling rotten eggs, that’s a sign for you to get a new battery in your car.

If you need battery charging service in Festus, MO, call Pippin Towing and Recovery today at (636) 937-0797.

When people think of towing services, they generally visualize a broken down car or truck. But what about cases in which towing a motorcycle is required? Pippin Towing and Recovery is a motorcycle tow service that provides roadside assistance to bike owners in Festus, MO. Call (636) 937-0797 if you require immediate towing services for your motorcycle. Here are 3 reasons you might need a motorcycle tow:

Battery Dead

If your bike will not start, and you are stuck on the road, a motorcycle tow is your only good option. We will tow your motorcycle to our garage and ensure its safety, so that you can get back on the road before you know it. Check your headlights and see if there is a noticeable dimness, if they seem weaker than normal, that is another indicator of a dead battery.

Flat Tire

Do you notice excessively worn out tread on your tires? Or perhaps, as you were riding along, you noticed an unusual vibration emanating from your tires. In either case, driving a motorcycle with a flat tire can be very dangerous. Losing control of your bike can have dire consequences for both you personally, and your motorcycle. If you are stuck on the road with a flat tire, have no worries, Pippin Towing and Recovery has you covered.

Moving Cross Country

Not all towing situations have to be nightmares. When motorcycle owners move cross country, they must find a way to get their bike to its new location. Our towing services include cross-country transportation. We will ensure the safety of your motorcycle, and make sure it gets to your new location in the same condition you left it in.

Be Prepared When Your Car Breaks Down In The Middle Of Nowhere.

Driving on vacation can be a fun experience; you can play car games, stop at scenic areas, and spend time with those around you. Although road trips are usually a fun experience, there are times when your car might break down in a place where there is no one around. So what do you do when your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere? Below are some tips to ensure you and your car stay safe.

Check You Car

While it’s easy to panic in a situation like this, it is important to stay calm and check your car. What kind of damage do you have? Is it something you can fix or does it require a mechanic? when your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, it’s important to know how bad your car is.

Make Your Car Visible

Even though you are in an area where a lot of people aren’t around, it is important to turn on your flashers, put out some flares if it’s dark, and make sure you are parked in an area of the road where people can easily see you.

Try To Get Help

when your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, it is important to get some help. Do you have cell reception? Try and call roadside assistance or maybe wave someone down. While it is important to get help, it is also important to stay safe.

If you are in the Festus, MO area and need roadside assistance, call us today at (636) 937-0797.

With summer nearly here and trips being planned, there is a lot of excitement going around. One of the biggest ways people find their summer plans brought to a halt is through an overheated engine. While service and maintenance can prevent this, sometimes coolant levels get low or your engine does not cool quickly enough. When this happens,  what should you do? We have compiled a couple of tips for how to deal with an overheating engine this summer season.

Tips For An Overheating Engine

#1 Let Your Car Rest

When your thermometer reaches the red zone it is time to stop your vehicle. Ease over to the shoulder and turn off your engine. Pressing your vehicle when it has over heated can cause excessive damage to head gaskets and the rest of your engine. This makes it crucial to stop when you overheat the engine.

#2 Do Not Remove Your Radiator Cap

You may want to open up your hood and radiator cap to let all of the steam escape. This is dangerous! Wait for your engine to cool before you open the hood. Your radiator and coolant within is both pressurized and very hot. If you remove the cap, you may receive severe burns to any exposed area from the coolant or steam.

#3 Get Your Vehicle Serviced As Soon As Possible

When your engine overheats, you may think getting it home is the best course of action. However, the more you drive a vehicle with an overheated engine, the more risk you run of damaging your car and causing the need for more expensive repairs. Your best bet to keep your car functioning is to have it serviced as quickly as possible. Having it towed will save potential damage from driving and get it to your destination.

Pippin Towing & Recovery provides towing services for your needs. We are always available to assist you. Give us a call at (636) 937-0797 for towing in Festus, MO and the surrounding area.

Long gone are the days of the fold-out map. We are fortunate enough live in the age of GPS and Google maps. And oh how much trust in these new age devices to get us to the right place, safely! But that isn’t always the case. Sometimes our mobile mapping devices can end up leading us down the wrong road, or maybe even off the road completely.  Fortunately, you have reliable towing services, like Pippins Towing and Recovery, here when you need us. Check out where these people ended up while following their GPS.

• In Northbridge, MA, a woman found herself interrupting a quiet afternoon of golf by getting herself stuck in a sand trap. The police report said that the woman’s malfunctioning GPS told her to turn left…directly into a cornfield. After driving through a bit and then attempting to get out, she ended up driving onto the putting green and into that sand trap.
• A Swiss van driver found himself driving on a footpath near the peak of a mountain. Unable to turn around because of the narrow path, the man was forced to call for help. Luckily, he was able to reach someone and was airlifted to safety.
• In Bellevue, WA, three women followed their GPS right into a lake. They were in town on business and rented a vehicle with a navigation system. While in search of their hotel, the woman driving was driving down a “dark road”, so she thought. In actuality, the GPS was leading them down a boat launch and right into the lake in Mercer Slough Nature Park. All the women made it out safely.

So if your GPS ends up landing you in a sticky situation, depending on how sticky the situation is, the experts at Pippin Towing and Recovery has you covered. And because recognize that a towing emergency can happen at absolutely any time, we offer services around the clock. Give us a call at (636) 937-0797. We’re always here for you.

Get Yourself Out of a Sticky Situation with a Car Emergency Kit

As a driver, you should always be prepared for a breakdown or accident. Sometimes these incidents are unavoidable, but others can be easily remedied—or at least made a little less terrible—with a few supplies. Here’s everything you need for a car emergency kit!

The Essentials

No matter when or where you are driving or who is in your car, there are some items you should never leave home without. Keep these car emergency kit essentials in your car at all times!

• Tire Changing Supplies (Tire Iron, Tire Jack, Spare Tire)
• Jumper Cables
• Flashlight
• Bottles or Jug of Water
• Emergency Food (Energy Bars, MREs, etc.)
• First Aid Kit
• Car Manual
• Car Insurance
• Emergency Information (such as AAA, towing company, etc.)
• Blanket

In addition to keeping these items in your vehicle, it is equally essential to keep them in good repair and know how to use them. Consider keeping spare batteries for your flashlight, and keep these tools within easy reach.

Personalize Your Kit

There are many other items you could include in your kit, but some might be more relevant to certain people. For example, if you are driving in the winter, it’s smart to keep an ice scraper, gloves, and maybe an extra jacket in your car. Parents should keep extra food and water for their kids and pets who ride in the car. Traveling to an area you are unfamiliar with? Bring a current paper map of the region, as your GPS and cell phone could fail. Other great items to include in your car emergency kit include a change of clothes, umbrella, tissues, flares, a weather radio, and more.

If you break down and need a towing company in Festus, MO or nearby, call Pippin Towing & Recovery at (636) 937-0797.

Looking for a good towing company can be tough, especially when you’re in a dire situation. When you’re stuck on the road, the last thing you need is to have a less than reputable towing company attempting to provide you with assistance. This can actually land you in more trouble than what you started out with. That’s why the experts at Pippin Towing are here to provide you with a few pointers on what to look for in a quality towing company.

• Availability: A roadside emergency can happen at absolutely any time and this is something that good towing companies recognize. That’s why it’s important to check the availability of their towing services. A good company, such as Pippin Towing, will be available around the clock.
• Customer Service: Professional companies should always provide quality customer service. That means being able to provide you with assistance in a timely manner at a fair price all while having a positive attitude.
• Modern Equipment: A good towing company should be equipped with up to date machinery to ensure that they are capable to handle any situation that is thrown at them. That means having a flatbed truck, current jumpstart equipment, etc.

When you’re in need a tow or any type of roadside assistance, you should be confident that someone will be there for you a lot sooner than later. Luckily for you, Pippin Towing is right in your backyard and with more than 60 years of experience, you know that we’ll get the job done right the first time. So whether you find yourself stranded needing a quick refill or for someone to tow away that eye sore on your front lawn in Festus, MO, we’re the company that you can depend on. Give us a call today at (636) 937-0797. We’re here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

We’ve all been there before. Getting ready to start our day just to realize that we’re running late. So what do we do? We hop in the car, crank it up, and immediately speed off. Now you could probably get away with something like this during the warmer months, but now that we’re in the midst of the winter and those temperatures stay quite low, it’s vital that your take the time in warming up your vehicle. Why you ask? The pros at Pippin Towing are here to tell you some of the most important reasons why you should!

• Begins the circulation: Your oil is vital in the proper operation of your vehicle and helps to reduce the rubbing of metal on metal. If your vehicle has been standing in one spot for a while, maybe overnight, the oil has a tendency of settling at the bottom of the pan. It can take possibly 30 seconds to get it flowing properly again. Warming up your vehicle gives the oil a chance to lube up your engine before you pull off.
• Thermal expansion: When metal becomes warm, it begins to expand. This is the reason why, when designing vehicles, engineers have to have the correct spacing that will allow for size changes. If you pull off without warming up, your vehicle is still cold. And if it’s still cold there can be components in your engine that are potentially the wrong size which can cause some major and unnecessary wear and tear.
• Your tires: Most may not think about this component needs to be warmed up, but it’s true. Tires that are cold and hard have less traction and driving on tires with lowered grip can be very dangerous.

If you have any other questions about why warming up your vehicle in Festus, MO is so important, especially during the colder months, contact Pippin Towing at (636) 937-0797.