How To Jump Start A Car.

It happens... You try to start your car and...  well... nothing happens...  Now you need a jump start to get your car running.  Here is how to get that jump start you need to get back on the road fast.  Locate some jumper cables and follow these steps.

1. Turn You Car Off.
   
     You have tried to start your car, and you know you have a dead battery.  If you keep trying to start your car your battery will only be drained even more.  Turn it off.

2.  Find A Friend Or Family Member

     To get a jump start you will need another car.  Locate a friend or family member you know who can give you a jump start.  Most places with security patrols (college, malls, and theme parks) will give you a jump if you ask.

3.  Get Your Cars Closely Together

     The jumper cables will need to be able to reach both batteries from the cars.  Most jumper cables are short so get as close as you can.

4.  Make Sure Both Cars Have EVERYTHING Off.

     Make sure that you have everything in the car turned off.  This includes the radio, a/c, heater, radar detector, GPS, hazard lights, --- you get the picture.  If it night time, keep your hazards and headlights on  only with the good car.  You need all the juice you can get!

5.  Connect The Red Cables To The Positive Terminals

     (Before we proceed - do not touch the cables together.)  The red cable stands for positive energy!  The red will need to be connected to the "+" terminal of the battery.  Connect the good car battery first, and then connect the dead car battery next.  To do this, squeeze the clamp of the cables and connect it to the metal terminal.  Make sure it is tight.

6.  Connect The Black Cable To The Negetive Terminals

 The black cable stands for negetive energy!  The black will need to be connected to the "-" terminal of the battery.  Connect the good car battery first, and then connect the dead car battery next.  To do this, squeeze the clamp of the cables and connect it to the metal terminal.  Make sure it is tight also!

8. Start Your Engines!

     It is time to see if it really is just a dead battery...  Start the engine of the good battery first and then start the engine of the dead car battery last.  They should start, but if not check the connections again.

9. HIT THE ROAD!

     If your car starts, then you will need to drive it a while (about 15 minutes) in order to charge the battery back up.  If this happens again soon it may be time for a new car battery.  Take it to a close auto part store and ask them to check it.  They will check it for free in most cases, and help you install a new battery should you need to purchase one.

Written By Paul Brown - Owner of EZ Lockout & Roadside Service
EZ Lockout & Roadside Service
2819 Woodcliffe Dr.
Suite 100/204C
San Antonio, Texas, 78240
www.ezlockout.com
(210) 598-7300

Keys Locked In Your Car? Call A Professional... Here's Why!

You close the car door and suddenly you feel odd.  It strikes you...  "Where are my keys?"  Then it really tackles you - the keys are locked in the car.  It happens like this to thousands of people everyday.  As embarrassing as it may be, you need to call a professional to help unlock your car.

I. Why You Should Call A Professional To Unlock Your Car


     In the past, it was widely known that using a coat hanger could unlock your car.  Not anymore.  Auto makers have taken it upon themselves to combat easy car unlocking techniques.  Not even the slim jim works anymore.  Wait before you stick something down your door or even around the window.  This is where people choose to do the most damage to their car.  Personally, I have seen people use the most oddest items to unlock their car from spoons to roofing shingles (yep... your read correctly).  This does nothing more than cause damage to your car.  Let me explain...  A gentleman locked his keys in hi 2011 Chevy Traverse, and acquired a "slim jim" to unlock his car.  No only is this an improper tool, but it causes costly damage.  When I arrived the gentleman took a last effort shove with the Slim Jim into his car door.  When he pulled the cable up, it brought up many important wires from within the door.  Expensive lesson....

     Let me discuss another scenario to call a professional.  A lady had a newer auto and wanted to avoid paying a professional to unlock her car.  Upon speaking to another co-worker, that person said that they could unlock the car because they have done it before.  This person took a screwdriver to pry the car door open, and tried using a coat hanger to unlock the car.  The result?  The lady had severe damage to the structure of her car that only several hundred dollars and a body shop could repair.  Also, as it turns out, the co-worker was still unable to unlock the car despite all the damage that was done.  Should this person called a professional in the first place, she would not have such a damaged car and would have saved hundreds of dollars in repairs.  The lesson learned?  Paying about $45 to have your car unlocked by a professional will keep your car in excellent condition.

     Addition to experience to unlocking vehicles, professionals (true professionals) are insured against any damage they may cause in the process whereas you or your friends are not.  If your friend damages your car, they will most likely say they are sorry and walk away.  If you damage your car you will be very upset and wish you would have called a professional to begin with.


II. Beware Who You Call To Unlock Your Car


     There are many people waiting for you to call them to unlock your car, but among those people there are scam artists.  Be very wary to advertisements online that have cheap prices like $14 or state they have 15 minute response(s) which only mean that they will contact you back in in that amount of time.  This is just a bait and hook tactic, and when the service provider shows up, the money due sky rockets up towards the amounts of around $150.00 or more without so much as an explanation.  Your call to these persons often go to a large call center out of the area where a unlicensed individual is dispatched out to assist you.  From that point on it only gets worse.  Look for a service provider locally who answers the phone not only friendly but with the business.name.  The scam artists frequently demand cash, and is unable to give you a complete total of costs until they see the car. A professional accepts multiple payment options, and can give you a total over the phone in almost every case. These are warning signs that you should not avoid...  Be forewarned...

I have been unlocking cars in my profession for quite some time.  I unlock an average of about 50 cars per week locally in San Antonio, Texas.  I offer this advice from my own personal experience.

Paul Brown - Owner - EZ Lockout & Roadside Service
EZ Lockout & Roadside Service
2819 Woodcliffe Dr.
Suite 100/204C
San Antonio, Texas, 78230
(210) 598-7300

Roadside Safety Tips. What To Do When You Have To Pull Over Because Your Car Is Disabled.

Ok...  So your car dies or you have a flat tire...  What do you do?  Well, most people know to pull over to the right side of the road (if possible).  But what if you can't?  What do you do then?  Well, from experience let us tell you how to stay safe (and remain in one piece).

San Antonio's roads are not very kind to motorists that have car troubles.  In fact, they are exactly the opposite in the way they are just down right dangerous.  Drivers, police, and those who provide assistance are hit every day on the side of the road.  The side of the road is something to fear certiainly, and the moment you lost fear - the 17 year old girl texting on her phone looks up just in time to see her car cross the line and hit you.  Now do I have your attention?

Texas has a law called "The Texas Move Over Act" which requires all drivers to either move over into a lane not near any official, emergency, tow truck, or disabled auto.  The fact is, not too many people pay much attention to this law - unless it is the police or a emergency vehicle.  Not too many people are going to move over if you have a flat tire, or even slow down while passing you.

Texas Transportation Code 545.157 defines the requirements of the Texas Move Over Act 

(TMOA).  It requires that drivers vacate the lane adjacent to a stopped, authorized emergency 

vehicle that has its emergency lights on, or slow down to 20 miles per hour below the posted 

speed limit when the posted speed limit is at or above 25 miles per hour (or slow to 5 mph when 

the posted speed is less than 25 mph).

1. When you have an emergency on the roadside, try to make it over to the right shoulder of the road.  This is not always possible, but if it is - do it.

2. DO NOT EXIT YOUR AUTO IF YOU ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY.  CALL POLICE!

3. Turn on your hazard lights (AKA flashers) and keep your car running.

4.  Call your insurance provider if you have roadside assistance.  They will ensure someone will help.

5. If you do not have insurance for some reason, or do not have roadside assistance search for a roadside assistance provider locally or call a family member.

6.  If it night time, turn on your dome light inside your car so that you can be seen better.  

7.  If you chose to work on your car - NEVER WORK ON THE SIDE NEAREST TRAFFIC.  Drive further down the road or further off the shoulder (slowly) so that you are our of the way.

8.  If you are not able to move your car and contact someone for assistance you can always call the police for assistance or even call a taxi to get you out of danger.

9. A car on the side of the road at night is a sitting duck waiting to be hit.  Call for help ASAP.

Remember, the road is not safe for anyone - not even police.  Respect it with your life, because if you don't you'll lost your life quickly.

Road Trip Tips

It's about that time of the year that the open road becomes a way out of the daily stress.  Yourself, some friends, or your family hop into the car to begin the voyage to a place to relax away from home.  Some people take time to plan out their trip while others just grab and go.  No matter where your destination is, or how much planning you put into your trip, here are a few tips to help lower your expenses along the way.

Some of the top expenses is food while rolling down the road.  One way to combat the price of food is to try to take some of your own.  Purchase an ice chest and pack it down with soda, water, lunch meat, snacks, and enjoy.   This will not only keep you stocked with things to eat and drink down the road, but will save you some cash!

One of the most costly expenses when traveling is gas.  It seems fuel prices are a constant worry as the costs sky rocket around high demand (peak) times of the year.  Summer, of course, is no exception to the jump at the pump.  The best way to combat this is to check gas prices online before and during your travel(s).  Applications for your cell phone can assist with finding out gas prices along the way (or even where you live).  One of the most used applications is Gas Buddy which is free.

Just these two small tips can save you quite a bit of money while on the open road.....

Aggressive Driving

Our daily commute on the road has surely brought us in contact with others with aggressive driving if not our selfs. Remember, we all want to get to where we're going... safely...

Speeding is considered an act of aggression when driving. Today, in San Antonio Loop 410 has a speed limit that was raised to 65 MPH not too long ago. It may as well say 70 or 75 the way those actually obeying the speed litmus are tailgated then passed. Bottom line? Slow down.

Excessive lane changing is next on the list. This happens quite frequently for those few that are impatient when driving so as to zoom in and out of lanes around everyone. Also to be added to this issue is failure to properly signal for a lane change or turn.

One major issue is Tailgating. Not only is this dangerous, but it aggravates other drivers. If you tailgate another auto in Texas and you hit the car in front of you - you are at fault! Keep distance from other cars on the road.

Most of these issues are common sense and are from the lack of courtesy. Remember, share the road with kindness and respect. Drive safely!

Is Your Spare Tire Ready?

Keep Your Spare Tire Ready!

Sooner or later every motorist has a flat tire while driving.  The important thing is to have the spare tire ready for when you experience a blow out or a flat tire for one reason or another.  The spare tire (AKA Doughnut) is located in most cars inside the trunk, and sits there for a very long time (hopefully).  The problem is that all tires typically lose about 1 to 2 pounds of air pressure a month.  (Most tires need about 35 PSI and the small spare tire (AKA The Doughnut ) need 60 PSI).  That means your spare tire could be flat when you need it most.

To prevent having a flat tire and a flat spare tire also is to check the air pressure in your spare tire about once a month.  The best time to check the air pressure is when you go to fill up on gas.  You will need to purchase a tire pressure gauge from any major store (Wal-Mart, Target, Auto Zone, etc...) for about the cost of a dollar or two.  This will let you know how much air you have in the tire, and will come in handy when checking your other tires also. 

Follow These Steps:

1. Locate Your Spare Tire 

     (mostly located in the trunk in most small cars, or under the rear of the car in larger cars.)  You may have             

     to look under the carpet inside the trunk of your car.

2. Check The Tire Pressure MONTHLY.  

     The tire pressure should be 60 PSI for a spare tire/doughnut, and about 35 PSI for a large full size tire.  I

      If you have a full size tire for a spare, you will need to see the inside of your driver's side door to see 

      what the recommended tire pressure is.

3.  Fill The Tire With The Proper Air Pressure

     As discussed above

If you follow these steps regularly, when you have a flat tire it wont slow you down much.  You can change the tire our and keep rolling down the road!

Driving Tips For A Safer Ride!

A Few Driving Tips - Drive Safer & Smarter!

Driving anywhere today requires dedicated attention.  Locally, in San Antonio, Texas, due to our population it can become challenging to say the least.  We have numerous distractions of our own from cell phones, children, and other tasks that we can become an accident waiting to happen.  There are ways to better the odds in preventing an accident, and here are a few tips:

1. Take Your Time

The rule everyone should know and use is to take time to drive.  Plan your route, and give yourself plenty of time to safely arrive there.  All too often we become rushed to get to our destination and that is what causes most accidents.  Slow down.

2.Admit You’re Not The Best Driver

The worst driver is the person who believes they are the best driver.  Anyone can make an error, and we all need to pay more attention to our driving.

3. Give Enough Space!

When driving on the road, it is essential to give enough space between yourself and other cars around you.  This can almost cut your risk of an accident in half.  The proper amount of space to give depends on a lot of different factors.  Are your breaks working properly, are the roads slick, and how fast are your going can all play factors on how long you will have to stop before hitting that car in front of you.  How much should you give? While driving, find an object that when the first car passes you are anywhere from 5-7 seconds behind it.  This give you the time you need to react to an incident ahead of you.

4. Don’t Speed!

Speeding can only increase your risk of an accident.  It decreases the control of your car, creates an inability to react in time, and increases the damage in an accident.  Don’t just slow down to stop from getting a ticket, slow down to save your life.

To save money on your insurance, take a cheap online defensive driving course and brush up on your skills.  You can never be too careful!  Remember, we all want to get home safely.  If you find someone driving dangerously, pull off the road or contact 911.