Some people refuse to call for a tow truck. They keep driving their automobiles even though there are problems. In some cases, continuing to operate the car, SUV, or truck could actually damage the engine beyond repair. It can also put you in a dangerous situation. We are going to talk below about some of the instances when you should pull over to a safe place and call for a tow truck no matter what.
Difficulty Controlling the Automobile
You may not be able to control your automobile if something goes wrong with the steering or suspension. For example, your vehicle may not respond when you turn the steering wheel if the power steering pump has died or you have a crack in the steering column. A broken axle can also make it difficult to control your automobile. Call for a tow truck if you cannot control your vehicle’s motion.
Excessive Engine Exhaust Smoke
If you glance in the rearview mirror and see a ton of exhaust, your engine is hemorrhaging fluid. We recommend you avoid driving the vehicle because you could start an engine fire if the engine is hemorrhaging fuel. You can also damage the engine irreparably if the hemorrhage is an oil hemorrhage. Finally, the engine will overheat and refuse to cool down if there is a severe coolant leak.
Overheating Brakes/Brake Problems
We mentioned in the introduction to this post that you may end up in a dangerous situation if you keep driving your vehicle. Being unable to control your automobile, as discussed above, is just one thing that puts you in danger. You may also end up unable to stop your vehicle if the brake system is overheating. Do not take chances with brake problems, as the brakes could fail and you could cause an accident.
Overheating Engine/Blown Head Gasket
Let’s talk more about an overheating engine. If your engine overheats all the time, call for a tow truck. Driving the engine when it runs above 220 degrees Fahrenheit can cause additional and expensive damage. An engine that overheats all the time may have a blown head gasket. This mixes the coolant with the motor oil and dilutes the motor oil. The mixture can destroy your engine quickly.
Finally, leaking motor oil isn’t the only oil problem that can damage your engine. If you check your motor oil and see metal shavings in it, do not drive your vehicle. The engine is disintegrating. If the oil light turns on and stays on, there’s an issue with the oil level or pressure. Depending on the severity of the issue, you could damage your engine. Call us for a tow instead.
