Sometimes we take our cars for granted, at least until they break down. So much goes into them that a ton of interesting facts exist out there that we overlook. We’ve listed a few of them here for you:

Fact #1:

Did you know that your fuel gauge shows you which side of your car the gas tank sits? This applies only to newer cars; they have a “secret triangle” that points to your gas tank.

Fact #2:

A computer helps run your engine. It handles aspects of fuel intake by taking in signals from your catalytic converter, oxygen sensors, etc.

Fact #3:

The amount of gas it takes to start your vehicle only comes out to about a half oz; that would fill up half a shot glass.

Fact #4:

Driverless cars will require their own licenses; Nevada has already authorized them, and issued the first vehicle’s driver’s license.

We hope you found these new car facts interesting. Should you find yourself in need of towing services for your vehicle, Pippin Towing and Recovery can help. For more information, you can reach us at (636) 937-0797.

Tires are important; they are integral to maintaining control of your car while driving. Since they’re the only part of your car that touches the ground, braking and steering both come down to them in the end. To keep your tires in good health, it helps to know what trouble signs to look out for. Here’s a quick overview to help you out:

Sidewalls:

Inspect the sidewalls for either cracking or cuts. These will get exacerbated the more you drive on them.

Treads:

If your treads are wearing unevenly, your wheels might be misaligned, your tires not inflated enough, your tires may have sustained damage, or there might be a problem with your suspension. Also, if the tread is excessively worn on all of them, it’s time to get them changed.

Bulging/Blistering:

If you see either of these symptoms on the sidewall of your tires, it could point to weak spots that will cause trouble.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s a good idea to have your tires checked out. If you do find yourself in need of tire replacement, we can do that here at Pippin Towing & Recovery. We also offer a host of other services. For more information, please give us a call at (636) 937-0797.

We’re well into the winter season. There’s a slight chance of minor snowfall at night during the next couple of weeks. If you should find yourself in a wreck at this time, don’t abandon your car. You’re not going to want to be caught out in the freezing weather and it could obstruct traffic or snowplows.

Rain and freezing temperatures are a potentially hazardous combination for drivers out on the road. When the roads are covered in ice, your tires lose all traction and the amount of accidents skyrocket fast. If you do decide to drive on icy roads, ensure that your cellphone is on your person in case of an accident or other type of emergency. Keep in mind that Festus averages about 14 inches of snowfall annually.

Keep our number handy in your wallet or car if you decide to drive on icy conditions. If your car gets wrecked or stuck, give us a call at (636) 937-0797.

There’s something very refreshing about getting into a perfectly clean car every day; it’s too bad they’re so hard to maintain. It doesn’t have to be, though. Here are some basic tips for maintaining a clean car:

Keep a garbage bag in your car:

Don’t let trash accumulate all over your car; put it in a trash bag. Otherwise you’ll be scurrying all over to clean everything up later. If the trash contains food, it will probably end up staining your car and leaving a disgusting smell.

Avoid eating in your car:

The only reason you should break this rule is if you’re in a huge time crunch. Otherwise, use it as an excuse to find more relaxing surrounding to have a meal. Food spills are one of the biggest causes of dirty, stinky cars.

Keep shoes clean:

If your shoes have any dirt on them, rap them hard against the ground before getting in your car. Vacuuming the floors can take a lot of time; avoid it by keeping dirt out altogether.

Store vehicle in a garage:

If you live in an apartment, this will keep your car from getting scratched or dented. Leaves and wind debris will dirty up your car fast. Avoid the need for constant washes by keeping your car covered.

Wash and wax regularly:

The easiest way to get this done is to take your car in to the car wash. You can get it washed and waxed, and it’s an enjoyable visual experience. If you want to save some cash, do it at home yourself; it can be cathartic. You should get your car washed every 3 weeks or so, and waxed about every 4 months.

Follow these tips and your car will stay clean with no problems. For any towing-related questions, give Pippin Towing and Recovery a call at (636) 937-0797.

To Grandmother’s House We Go!

Are you gearing up for a holiday road trip? Any trip to see the family can be ruined by a breakdown on the side of the road. Check out these holiday road trip tips. By preparing ahead you can avoid a headache on the road. But remember, if you do find yourself stranded, call Pippin Towing & Recovery for fast tow services.

1. Tune up

Take your car in for a tune up before you head out on a long road trip. A good tune up should include replacing your spark plugs, air filter and other important maintenance services. Use this opportunity to check all your vehicles fluids too. Check your:

• Oil
• Transmission Fluid
• Brake Fluid
• Power Steering Fluid
• Windshield Wiper Fluid
• Transfer Fluid *when applicable*

2. Rest up

Make sure you get plenty of rest the night before you leave. Drowsiness can lead to serious accidents. In fact, according to a conservative estimate by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration approximately “100,000 police-reported crashes are the direct result of driver fatigue each year.”

If you have a fellow driver to share the trip with, make sure they are well rested too. Don’t plan a big event right before you leave and try to pack early so you can rest the night before.

3. Gear up

Get everything together the night before if at all possible. Having the car packed and ready to go can alleviate stress the morning you embark upon your trip. Make sure you have everything you need for the time you will be gone. It is also wise to have a first aid kit on hand. If you are driving somewhere cold store some extra blankets in your trunk. And have plenty of snacks and water on hand. Lastly, don’t forget to bring along some fun games for the little ones.

Happy holidays and be safe on the roads! Remember, if you need a tow, give us a call.

Tesla Leads the Way

Tesla is a leading name in vehicle innovation. Known for their out of the box thinking, they are well on their way to changing the consumer market for alternative fueled cars. And now Tesla has made an announcement that further changes the playing field. They will be building their new “Gigafactory” near Reno, Nevada.

This is the design plan for the future Tesla Gigafactory in Nevada

This Gigafactory will be used to build automotive-grade lithium-ion batteries. This plan is going to be constructing these batteries on such a huge scale that they will be lowering the cost of the batteries drastically. This factory is expected to bring nearly $100 billion in economic impact to its new Nevada location.

The plant will be constructed in the shape of a diamond. And it will produce its own energy which Tesla hopes will demonstrate to the local community a sustainable business model.

The Bidding War

Landing this factory was no easy feat. Many states battled to offer Tesla tax incentives to build in their location. Because it will bring such a boost to the economy, the states in contention pressed hard to win the bid. California, Texas and Arizona were all large contenders in this bidding war.

To read more about Tesla’s new Gigafactory and the impact it will have on the consumer market, check out Tesla’s explanation of the project here: Tesla Gigafactory Details.

Your vehicle’s glove box is great place to store valuable information and tools. Here are some things that you should keep in your glove box.

Important Phone Numbers and Info

Always keep your emergency contact numbers in the glove box. It’s important to have for people to know who to call if you get in an accident. Also write down any critical medical information. Write down any medications, health conditions and allergies you have. Having that information in your glove box is vital in case you’re in an accident and can’t communicate. Keep your proof of insurance and your vehicle’s manual.

Tools and Chargers

A glove box is great spot to store tools and chargers for electronic devices. You should consider storing these things in your glove box.

• Cell phone car charger and regular charger
• A flashlight
• An Umbrella
• A small first aid kit
• A window break and seat belt cutter
• GPS charger
• Car charger
• Pen, pencil and paper

All these items can be helpful if you have car trouble and need a lifeline. If you need any roadside services in Festus, call Pippin Towing & Recovery.

Ways to Prevent Car Thefts

Car break ins and item thefts have a huge crime rate. Nationwide Insurance has reported that on average there is over one billion dollars of items lost each year from car thefts.  Here are some tips and advice that will help limit your chance of your vehicle getting broke into.

Always Lock your Doors

Locking your door is the most obvious and the first step in preventing a car break in. A quarter of all break ins that happen are because people leave their doors unlocked. Never leave your doors unlocked, even if you’re only going to be away from your car for a short time.

Never Leave Anything Valuable Out

This second tip is another obvious precaution, yet people still leave their valuables in plain sight in their vehicles. Leaving your valuable out in the open presents a prime opportunity for a break in. Hide your valuables where they can’t be seen to reduce your chance of a theft.

Park in Well Lit Areas

Parking in well lit areas is another precaution you can take to reduce your chances of a break in. If your vehicle can been well seen from all directions, there is less of a chance that someone tries to break into it. Never park in a secluded area and try not to park between vehicles that are bigger than yours, this will also reduce your chances of a theft.

You’ve probably seen a car commercial that totes a car as “Highest rated vehicle for initial quality by J.D. Power and Associates .” So what is J.D. power and how do they rank vehicles? J.D. Power is a global marketing research and survey company that is best known for researching and surveying motor vehicles.

J.D. Power and Associates will send out half-a-million surveys via email asking new-car owners to rate the first 90 days of them owning their vehicle. The questionnaire asks people to rate various elements of their new vehicle and report on any defects or problems that they have had within the first 90 days of ownership. Once all the surveys are collected, J.D. Power will analyze the data and make their rankings.

The problem with these ranking is the subjectivity. Some vehicles with the fewest defects did not score well with quality. How can this happen? Surely vehicles with little or no defects should score higher in quality rating.

J.D. Power measures quality of a vehicle by problems per 100 vehicles. A problem for them is whatever a consumer says is a problem. Problems used to be a production defect like a badly attached mirror or easily torn upholstery. Now problems are more designed based like a voice recognition system that gives a consumer trouble or difficulty connecting a phone to the vehicle’s Bluetooth system.

J.D. Power’s initial quality has very little to do with how well the vehicle was engineered or how well it runs. Be careful when you’re looking to buy a vehicle and it boasts a J.D. Power highest rated initial quality. Do a little bit of research before hand when looking to purchase a new vehicle.

Safety Tips When Car Trouble Strikes

It is a moment no one ever hopes to face, your car stops working and you are in the middle of a busy road. During these unfortunate events there are some important safety tips to keep in mind.

1. Move your vehicle out of traffic: If at all possible get your vehicle out of the way of traffic. First turn on your emergency flashers and then attempt to get your vehicle to the right side of the road. It is particularly dangerous to leave an inoperable car in the way of oncoming traffic.

2. Call a tow truck: It helps to have a trusted towing company programmed into your phone. That way if an emergency occurs you can call a tow truck immediately. If the situation is a serious emergency though you should of course dial 911 first.

3. Cautiously exit your vehicle: If you are stranded on the side of the road and you plan to exit your vehicle, exercise extreme caution. Ensure you have enough space to safely open the door of your car. NEVER open your door if there is oncoming traffic in your path. Although people should take note of your emergency lights and move one lane over when passing, this is not always the case.

4. Be prepared: Because situations can arise that are unexpected, it is important to prepare ahead. Some of the most important things to keep in your vehicle are the following:

• Flares
• Flashlights
• First-aid Kit
• Blankets
• Water

Remember, Pippin Towing & Recover is a 24 hour towing service, so call us if you find yourself unexpectedly stranded: (636) 937-0797