Posted on 1/12/2025
Emergency, Emergency! Hey it's the Duke here and today we are going to bark about emergency items you should have in your vehicle.....besides extra dog bones of course. So let's get barkin' on this important subject today!
"I never expected it could happen to me." Countless drivers have said that after an emergency, they turn their lives upside down. So before that happens to you, let's think about planning for an emergency with a few things you should keep in your vehicle.
- Road flares. If you've ever driven by a disabled vehicle sitting at the side of the highway at night, you know how terribly hard it is to see, especially in bad weather like rain. If you are the one in that broken-down vehicle, you run the risk of being hit by a vehicle whose driver literally may not be able to see you. The best emergency signal includes one or more road flares. There's a reason police officers and firefighters carry them in their vehicles. When you see a series of burning red flares at the side of the road, you know something serious is going on. These are far more visible at a much longer distance than nearly any other portable signal device.
- Fire extinguisher. Thousands of vehicles catch fire every year. Most fires start small but can get out of control. Having a fire extinguisher in your vehicle is vital, and several small ones are designed especially for the job. Since many different types of vehicle fires can start, make sure the extinguisher you choose will handle every fire, from gasoline to electrical. Some have handy mounting brackets. And keep it up to date!
- Flashlight. Sure, your cell phone likely has a light in it. But you will need that phone for communication if there's an emergency. Plus, the light’s just not that bright. So carry an LED flashlight designed for automotive use. LEDs produce a lot of light with little power; plus, many of those designed for vehicles include a lantern, which will light up a wider area. It’s vital if you have to read your vehicle's jack instructions or tend to an injured person.
- Drinking water and snacks. If your vehicle breaks down during bad weather and you may be forced to stay with it for a long time, you'll need food and water to survive until help can arrive. These are simply the necessities of life, so have a small supply on hand, just in case.
Other things like basic tools, a first aid kit, a space blanket and jumper cables are also good ideas. Many service repair facilities offer these items for sale, and you can ask your service advisor for suggestions. While it's fresh in your mind, plan a shopping trip and put together your own emergency kit now. Sure, you can put it off, but you may find yourself stuck in a difficult situation, saying to yourself, "Only if…"
and for this week, here is your inspirational quote,
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do." - Steve Jobs
Duke
Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
http://alliedautoworks.com
Posted on 5/5/2024
Good day on this beautiful Spring day! Cayenne here, and with my spring bonnet on, I am ready to go for spring car rides and travel. However, you need to make sure your vehicle is ready and prepared for any unexpected emergencies on the road. So, today, we will bark about being prepared for your road travels.
Safe CA travel starts with preventive maintenance and good vehicle care at Allied Auto Works. But there are other things Los Altos residents can do to prepare for emergencies on the road. Here's some auto advice that can help you plan for emergencies, and just may save your life — or someone else's.
First, Los Altos auto owners should consider keeping an auto emergency kit in their vehicle. The kit should contain items that will allow you to deal with common emergencies on the road.
Some items you should carry in your vehicle include jumper cables (or a booster box), flares, a flashlight and some basic hand tools. Other useful items include gloves, two quarts of oil, some antifreeze, water and everything you need to change a tire. You might also consider a can of tire inflator, which is a great temporary fix for minor flats.
But taking care of your vehicle is only part of emergency preparedness. It is to take care of the people in the car, too. For this reason, you should carry a first aid kit, drinkable water and blankets. Other items to consider include high-calorie food items (like energy bars), toilet paper, a towel, a hat and boots. And, of course, when you travel in CA and out-of-state, you should always have your cell phone, some emergency cash, and a credit card.
Depending on where you live, you may need to add other items to this list. For example, sunscreen, sunglasses and extra water would be good to have on hand in a hot climate. For the cold and snowy CA season, some salt, a hand shovel, emergency blankets and matches might be in order. Also, if your area is prone to severe weather or earthquakes, you should check with your local Red Cross or disaster preparedness office for their recommendations on what to keep on hand in your vehicle for emergencies.
When you travel away from your Los Altos home, you should check the weather forecasts before you leave and pack appropriate emergency supplies. Also, do some research about the areas you will be traveling through so you can be prepared for the climate and terrain. Remember the basics: heat, water, shelter, light and food.
When you travel, it is important to leave your itinerary with a trusted friend or family member. Check-in periodically at prearranged checkpoints. That way, if something does happen, someone else will quickly know you are in trouble and will be able to send help. These checkpoints will also help rescuers find you quickly, as they will have a better idea of where you are.
The automotive professionals at Allied Auto Works want Los Altos drivers to be safe. Preventive maintenance, proper planning, and smart communication are the basics of safe travel.
I leave you with a travel thought for this week.
No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow. ~ Lin Yatang
Cayenne
Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
http://alliedautoworks.com
Posted on 6/27/2023
Hello, Cayenne here on a beautiful June day here in Los Altos. You know, some Los Altos drivers figure that anything they can attach to their trailer hitch can be towed by their vehicle, including my oversized t-bones. Well, that is not the case. If you're going to do any towing around Los Altos, you should be aware of safety issues, CA towing laws and potential liability. So you probably already figured it out, we are going to bark about towing limits around town. So let's get barkin'!
Understanding tow ratings is important for safe towing. A tow rating is the weight limit that your vehicle can safely tow. They calculate the tow rating for every vehicle, but different options on the vehicle can affect that rating. Los Altos drivers need to read the towing section in their owner's manual to get the specific tow rating for the vehicle they own.
Your trailer hitch also has a weight limit, and it may not match the tow rating for your vehicle. Your vehicle may be rated for 10,000 pounds (4,500 kg), but if you have a 2,000-pound (900 kg) hitch limit, you shouldn't be towing more than 2,000 pounds (900 kg). If you tow a 10,000-pound (4,500 kg) trailer on that hitch, it could break free and you would be liable for any resulting damages.
Another example is one popular pick-up truck that has a tow rating of 10,300 pounds (4,600kg). But the owner's manual specifies that a sway control device be used for trailers weighing over 2,000 pounds (900 kg) and that a weight-distributing hitch is required for trailers over 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg). If the vehicle owner tows a 6,000-pound (2700 kg) trailer without a weight-distributing hitch and ends up in an accident, the owner will be held liable for not complying with the towing requirements in CA.
Los Altos auto owners also need to keep in mind that tow weights include the weight of passengers and cargo inside the tow vehicle. So if your tow rating is 7,000 pounds (3,200 kg), and you're carrying 700 pounds (320 kg) of passengers and cargo, you can only tow a trailer weighing up to 6,300 pounds (2,880 kg).
Two numbers that Los Altos drivers should be aware of are the GVWR and the GCWR. These codes are usually imprinted on the inside of the driver's side door. GVWR stands for gross vehicle weight rating. Take GVWR and subtract the total weight of the vehicle, and you have the maximum weight the vehicle can safely carry in passengers and cargo. GCWR stands for Gross Combined Weight Rating. Take that number, subtract the weight of the tow vehicle and the trailer, and you have the maximum weight of passengers and cargo that the tow vehicle and trailer together can safely carry.
This may seem a bit complicated, but you ignore these ratings at your own peril. If you haul or tow loads over the maximum ratings around CA, you become liable in the event of an accident.
Local Los Altos laws require that safety chains be attached when towing a trailer. Some CA jurisdictions may require trailer brakes as well. Others mandate trailer brakes only in certain situations. If you are going to tow a trailer, you should find out the local Los Altos laws regarding trailer brakes and hitches, as well as weight and length restrictions.
To tow safely, CA drivers also need the proper tires on the tow vehicle. Tires need to be in good condition with adequate tread, and they need to have a load rating high enough to handle the weight of the trailer. Your trained Allied Auto Works tire professional can help you select the right tire to use when towing around Los Altos.
Your 's owner's manual is your primary source for auto advice regarding towing since it is specific to your vehicle. Be sure to read it carefully before doing any towing. And as always, keep your preventive maintenance up-to-date, and practice good car care to ensure the safety of your vehicle on the road—especially when pulling a trailer.
Here is my joke of the week, yes, tow related
If there was a film about a car towing a boat, would there be a trailer?
Cayenne
Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
650.968.7227
https://www.alliedautoworks.com/