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Dr. Hook #1 at United Way Truck Pull

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Dr. Hook in United Way Truck Pull

Congratulations to our team who participated in the 2nd Annual Manitoba Trucking Association sponsored United Way Truck Pull.

Six companies had entered the fundraiser -Bison Transport, Beaver Trucks, Dr. Hook, Maxim Truck & Trailer, Payne Transportation and Sysco Foods. Each had a team of ten team members who exhibited their spirit by pulling a 20,000lb truck 150 feet.

Out Dr. Hook team showed incredible heart and pulled their way to a #1 victory! More importantly, the event raised $3000 for the United Way.

Join Us at the United Way Truck Pull

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Last year we were proud to be involved in the first ever “Industry Related” Truck Pull event in support of United Way. It was a huge success and we had a great time!

This year the event will be held at Polo Park Shopping Centre parking log (facing St James) on Thursday, October 13, 5:00pm. The Dr. Hook team will be participating again and hope to make this year an even bigger success!

As part of the 400 for-hire trucking companies in Manitoba, we feel it’s important to participate in events which showcase the industries commitment to community support for worthwhile causes in the communities we operate in.

Be sure to join the fun!

Picking A Road Service Program

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Deciding you need a roadside assistance program is not a decision to make while stranded, out of gas, or with a flat tire. Before you end up locked out or your car, make this protective decision and add some insurance to your peace of mind. You insure your car from accidents and your home from floods, but what about nails in your tire or dead batteries? Who can solve make those problems easier on your peace of mind? Dr. Hook has the solution for your roadside fears.

When deciding on a roadside assistance program in Winnipeg, be sure to browse our checklist of what you should consider.

(1) Check you vehicle warranty. Some companies offer a roadside assistance program that terminates with the vehicle warranty. Be sure to shop around for another program before your warranty runs out. If your manufacturer does not offer a roadside assistance program or doesn’t offer service in Winnipeg, start your comparison-shopping immediately to prevent unforeseen events.

(2) Be sure to compare the prices per year and beyond. Some companies may offer discounted pricing the first year or a free first month, then double or triple the price in the coming years. Be aware of these deceitful sales tactics. Dr. Hook is a reputable towing company with no sales tricks up our sleeve.

(3) When comparing cost, be sure to compare benefits. Some companies offer only lockout protection, while others offer the entire package. Some may be 9am to 5pm and others, such as Dr. Hook, are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

(4) Find out how many towing vehicles and what the estimated response time is. Dr. Hook has an entire fleet of heavy, medium and light duty trucks, as well as GPS dispatch and many more benefits.

(5) Call Dr. Hook and see exactly how we can compare to your current roadside assistance company. We will certainly meet and exceed the currant roadside assistance program you are with.

It’s Important To Maintain Tire Pressure

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At the onset of each Winnipeg winter and spring, many drivers may notice a change in the air pressure of their tires. “Check tire pressure” lights flash for many due to the change in weather and the cooling or heating of air pressure. Other than the changing of months, many people ignore their tires, until they hear the flap of a flat.

Luckily, many cars are outfitted with an information valve that will report the air pressure in the tires directly to their instruction panel. Although this is a time saving device, air pressure should still be checked and appropriately filled or released with every gas fill-up.

Benefits of Maintaining Tire Pressure

1.  Maintaining proper air pressure helps slow wear and tear and increases the life of your tires.

2.  Having equal air pressure in your tires ensures fuel savings and increases gas mileage.

3.  Cars with proper tire pressure are proven to have better handling and steering control.

4.  Properly filled tires prevent car accidents caused by improper handling, tire blow-outs, and improper tire wear.

How to Maintain Tire Pressure

1.  Find the recommended air pressure for each of your tires. This information can be found in your owner’s manual, or the informational label on the doorframe of your car.

2.  Check the pressure of each tire with an accurate tire gauge.

3.  If the pressure is too low, locate an air-filling station at the closest gas or service station. Add air pressure accordingly. Add air in 5 second spurts and check with the tire gauge to be sure not to overfill.

4.  If the air pressure is too high, or you happen to overfill, gently press the valve stem and release the appropriate amount of air.

Caution

-Never overfill your tires. A drastic overfill will result in the tire exploding causing potentially deadly harm to yourself and damage to your automobile.

-Make sure all tires have the same air pressure. The only exception to this rule is if the front tires and back tires are recommended to have different values of air pressure.

If you have the misfortune of a flat tire, our Roadside Assistance team can help.

What To Do After A Car Accident

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Eventually, the majority of drivers will, at some point, be involved in an automobile accident. When, and if, a car accident occurs in Manitoba, the first priority is to assess any injuries and attend to the hurt and injured. This means checking in both cars and for injured bystanders and calling emergency services if required. Some injuries may not be apparent when still under the influence of adrenaline, be sure to have any pain checked out by a medical professional.

After the proper medical assessments, the damage sets in and steps must be taken to appropriately report a claim. There are situations that require reporting to the police. Accidents that involve injuries, collisions with an combined damage amount of more than $1000, and any vandalism, theft, hit-and-run or other criminal collisions.  The driver has 7 days to report the incident to the police.

The next step in reporting is reporting any claims for damages, losses or injuries. When safe, move the vehicle from traffic. Report the claim immediately to the Manitoba Public Insurance. Even if the cars do not have serious damage, Manitoba Pubic Insurance should always be notified as a precaution to future injuries or claims that resulted from this accident. Manitoba Public Insurance suggests reporting any and all claims to the police department.

When reporting, have your vehicle registration, drivers license of the driver of your car, details of the accident and details of those involved, including witnesses. After arranging for towing, automobiles are estimated for damage and rental cars will be distributed accordingly.

If your car is not drivable and the office of Manitoba Public Insurance is closed, drivers are allowed to arrange for their own towing. Dr. Hook is a safe, reliable and reputable towing company that is honest and helpful when drivers are hit with surprises of the road.

Is Synthetic Oil Worth the Extra?

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Regular or unleaded? Cream or sugar? Low-fat or Skim? The choices we have during the day are endless. Some of these choices may not have a large impact on our lives, such as sugar or splenda, while others do. There are options that we know nothing about, take a stab in the dark and hope for the best. One of these “guesses” is our oil. Synthetic oil is an option given out at most oil-change service stations today. While we are aware the cost is higher, and of course, the salesman/mechanic is pushing the synthetic, what are the actual benefits or drawbacks of synthetic oil?

How does synthetic oil affect the seals in my engine?

The myth that synthetic oil damages the seals of an engine is untrue. Both synthetic and petroleum oils have obstacles to overcome with the seals in your engine. The additives of the oil are what control the seal’s shrinkage, wear, hardening, and swelling. Both synthetic and petroleum oils contain these additives.

Synthetic lubricants are not readily available?

When synthetic oils first were introduced, only two companies manufactured synthetic oil. Today they are readily available and manufactured by almost every major oil company in the world.

Don’t they create sludge?

Synthetic oils have been tested and proven to resist sludge more so than petroleum oils. Synthetic oils have a higher flashpoint and can withstand oxidation and evaporation loss better than petroleum oils. This makes them more resistant to sludge in extreme conditions.

Do they void the warranty?

No major automobile manufacturer has a ban on synthetic oils. Many automobiles with high performance engines come standard with synthetic oils in them. Some owner’s manuals are even suggesting the use of synthetic oils.

After addressing the major concerns and myths surrounding synthetic oils, the question left is: “Is it worth the extra cost?” That is for the consumer to decide. Since the risks are evaluated and determined to be none, the benefits must be evaluated. The benefits of synthetic oil include improving fuel economy, reducing engine wear and tear, higher engine reliability and increasing the prevention of breakdowns and mechanical problems. Is the higher cost worth these benefits?

‘Move over’ law protects tow truck drivers

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Winnipeg Free Press – ONLINE EDITION
By: Staff Writer
Posted: 07/18/2011 9:27 AM

Starting today, if you see a tow truck working on a multi-lane road, you must change lanes, reduce your speed, and proceed only if it’s safe to do so. Otherwise, you could face a fine of almost $300.

It’s been dubbed the “move over” law, to protect tow trucks from being smashed into by oncoming traffic.

Read full article:
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/Move-over-law-protects-tow-truck-drivers-125744193.html

Dr Hook Does Superb Job on U2 360°

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We want to extend congratulations to the Dr Hook team on doing a superb job on the organization, set up and operation of the U2 360° World Tour stop in Winnipeg, on May 29th. All of your hard work paid off in creating an amazing concert experience that will be remembered by the public for years to come.
The U2 360° World Tour noticed and appreciated your attention to detail and relentless determination to put on a first class event. We have received several compliments from the Tour staff on how “Text Book” the load-in and running of the concert was executed.
We would like to thank everyone for the part you played in stagin the highest attended event in the history of the Province of Manitoba.

Know How To Jump Start Your Vehicle

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When faced with the dilemma of a dead battery, drivers need not fret. If you, unfortunately, do not have roadside assistance and a jump-start is required, the first step that a stranded motorist need take is finding the assistance of a working car.

Hopefully, your automobile is well equipped with your essentials for this dilemma. A few things that should be kept in your automobile at all times includes jumper cables, heavy duty gloves for hand protection, a flashlight with charged batteries, and the manufacturer’s owners manual. The owner’s manual will likely have a summary of the steps to follow for a proper jump-start for your automobile.

The Jump

1.  Protect your clothing and hands with gloves that should be kept in the trunk of your car.

2.  Open the hood of your car. Most models have a button under or near the steering wheel. Press the button, and at the hood of the car, release the latch. Use the lever/stick near the latch to keep the hood open.

3.  Be sure the working (donor) car is off yet near the dead car.

4.  Consult your owner’s manual for specific information regarding your automobile.

5.  Most cars have a positive (+) and negative (-) terminal on the battery. Affix the clamps accordingly in this order: dead car positive (+), working car positive (+), working car negative (-), the last negative should be clamped onto a piece of metal on the engine of the dead car. This will create a proper “grounding” for the jump-start.

6.  Start the working car. Wait 1-2 minutes. Start the dead car.

7. Unhook the cables working in reverse order.

8.  If the car is started and the battery light is showing on the instrument panel, it is time to seek a mechanic. There may be additional problems with your alternator or other mechanical parts.

Caution:

-Never jump-start a frozen battery.

-Never jump-start a cracked, broken or leaking battery.

-Be sure that the battery has the appropriate fluid levels in the cells. If water is required, add it accordingly.

-Once contact has been made with the battery and the cables, do NOT allow the metal parts of the cables to touch. This will create a spark.

-After a jump-start, allow the car to run for 10-20 minutes (driving or idling) to initiate a proper battery charge.