Category Archives: Roadside Assistance

Air Cushion Recovery – Protect Your Investment

When accidents occur, time is of the essence, and response time needs to be quick. Dr. Hook Towing makes provisions for speedy response to any type of incident by maintaining the right equipment for the job, and a professional staff of operators to get it done.

For jobs where standard towing equipment isn’t enough, we provide air cushion recovery. Using a self-contained trailer that can be deployed on a moment’s notice, our Air Cushion Recovery Unit and response team are equipped for all manner of vehicle and equipment recovery. Whether it’s up-righting an overturned tractor-trailer, RV, motor coach, sunken airplane, or even a small building, Dr. Hook has what it takes to recover your assets.

Our air cushion recovery unit allows us to perform the recovery safely, which reduces cargo loss; avoids further damage to vehicle and property, and expedites lane clearing by keeping site debris to a minimum. Air cushion recovery also permits us to operate at recovery sites that aren’t accessible to heavy equipment, and to do so in many cases without first having to unload cargo. For trucks or containers loaded with shock-sensitive cargo, air cushion recovery insures that your valuables aren’t jolted by more traditional recovery methods.

Dr. Hook air cushion recovery equipment is insured, and our operators are certified, to insure you that your investment is protected, by the professionals. Contact us today, and ask about our Roadside Assistance Corporate Program.

A Simplified Solution For Fleet Recoveries

Operating a fleet has enough challenges of its own without having to deal with stalled or disabled vehicles. When the unexpected comes your way, that’s when Dr. Hook can save the day. We understand that time is a commodity that you can’t afford to waste, and you need to get your vehicle back on the road as quickly as possible. At Dr. Hook Towing, we respect your time by guaranteeing rapid response to all of your calls, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.

With our Roadside Assistance Corporate Program, you can rest assured that your drivers have just one phone number to call when they need help. A trained customer service representative will be there to take that call and dispatch a uniformed, certified operator, to get them out of their predicament and back on the road. Whether your drivers get a flat tire, a dead battery, or stuck in a ditch, Dr. Hook’s Roadside Assistance Corporate Program will guarantee them priority service, a GPS-dispatched response unit with a specific ETA, and the peace of mind from knowing that your fleet will keep moving with minimal delays.

Winter Vehicle Equipment and Supply Checkup

Canadian winters can be challenging for even the most seasoned driver. Weather and road conditions can be unpredictable, which makes advanced driving skill vital. Drivers must have the ability to maneuver quickly and adjust their speed promptly. In winter conditions, this can be difficult. Without the proper equipment and control, it can be impossible.

The first rule is to be aware. Always drive a bit slower in winter conditions. Stay alert and aware of your surroundings and maintain control. This means maintaining control of your vehicle and your emotions.

To keep your car winter-ready, have your battery, belts, radiator, hoses, tire pressure, lights, brakes, exhaust system, heater, wipers and ignition system checked. Do this BEFORE the first storm.

Maintain enough washer fluid to last you through the winter. Washer fluid should be able to withstand -40 degrees Celsius.

Before your start your journey for the day, remove the snow and ice from your car. Skipping this step will ensure that ice goes flying into the windshield of the person behind you, possibly causing an accident.

Keep your gas tank above a quarter tank.

Check the tread on your tires. Be sure to check your spare tire with every oil change.

All season tires may be suitable in some areas, but winter tires are required in the northern-most parts of Canada. They improve traction on snow, ice and slush.

Be sure your car is equipped with: an ice scraper, shovel, traction sand, jumper cables, road flares, flashlight with extra batteries, fire extinguisher, extra blanket, non-perishable food items, candle and tin can and matches. These items will be required if you are stopped for more than an hour.

With holidays, family vacations and the warmth of a roaring fire, winter can be the greatest time of year. Being stranded on the side of the road is certainly not what we envision for ourselves. Be sure this doesn’t happen to you and always be prepared.

Roadside Assistance Essentials when Faced with Cold Temperatures

Chances are, at some point in your life, you will experience a breakdown. Cars are extensive machines that occasionally, and for some models not so occasionally, malfunction. This leaves you stranded, hopefully, in optimal conditions. For some, you may have a breakdown in the dead of winter, in an isolated location. Fortunately, a roadside assistance company can fix most “break-downs” on the spot. The most important thing you can do to speed along the process of roadside assistance is “be prepared.”

The first thing to prepare is a kit that remains in your car at all times. Aside from winter essentials, there are assortments of tools that can help you get out of a bind, quickly. You will first need a manual for your car. These typically give step-by-step instructions on easy repairs, tire issues and mechanical troubleshooting. You will also want a small tool kit, including a wrench, hammer and screwdriver.

Always keep a first-aid kit and essentials kit on hand. Roadside assistance personnel can be magical with automobile issues, but they are not medical professionals, nor are they boy scouts responsible for keeping you fed and warm while fixing your car. Every car should have a days worth of water on board as well as food bars for long waits. Extreme weather conditions may require you to stock a warm blanket and/or extra clothing. Waiting in snowy conditions, in a car that will not start can get cold, quickly.

Be sure to have your own set of jumper cables. This one tool can prevent even having to call roadside assistance. Periodic checks of spare tires, jacks and other tools to change a flat can be your saving grace on a long, winter trip.

Roadside Assistance Program

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We understand accidents can happen anytime and anywhere. That’s why our Roadside Assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days of the year. Join our Roadside Assistance Program today to receive priority service. The program is free to join and has no monthly fees. Give yourself a peace of mind this winter season.

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?