This post is sponsored by State Farm®, but all opinions are 100% mine.
Getting your vehicle ready for the road is a big job. You’re about to get inside a piece of metal and drive it around, in hopes that it keeps you safe. While the vehicle’s job is to get us from point A to point B, there are some things we can do to help it along and arrive safely at our destination.
Check All Fluids
Every few months, check the fluids in your vehicle, to make sure they are full. Your car needs fluids, just as your body needs fluid. If your vehicle is running low on oil, this could be a huge problem. This is just one tip to ensure you’re as safe as possible while inside your vehicle.
No Cracks
A lot of vehicle mishaps happen because there is a crack or a hole in a hose. Before winter hits, make sure you check every hose, pressure cap, or belt for a possible hole or snap.
Vehicle Checkup
Perhaps one of the most important things in vehicle safety is making sure your vehicle gets a proper checkup. From making sure your battery is good to go to testing your headlights and brake lights, everything must be looked over.Always make sure your car is in good condition.
Emergency Vehicle Kit
Another important safety tip for your vehicle is making sure you have an emergency kit on hand. Important items in an emergency vehicle kit might include:
• Jumper cables
• Flashlight
• Emergency flat tire repair
• Hazard triangle, road flares, brightly colored distress sign, or “Help” or “Call Police” flag
• Screwdrivers and wrenches
• First aid kit
• Cell phone and charger
HERO to the Rescue
Sometimes no matter what we do, our vehicles gives us trouble and most of the time it’s at the most inconvenient times. State Farm and state transportation agencies are teaming up to help those in need of vehicle help, just in time for the holidays. In Georgia, the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Highway Emergency Response Operators (HEROs) sponsored by State Farm is a free program in which a fleet of vehicles patrol the highways stalled vehicles and accidents, and work with drivers to get them back on the road. Keep in mind, they are trained to help with limited roadside assistance issues like minor mechanical problems, changing a flat tire, or jumping a dead battery.
Currently, similar State Farm sponsored programs exist in 14 states with 18 patrols that are sponsored. In return, that means Patrol State Farm is able to help around 700K customers each year. This program is known as Highway Emergency Response Operators—AKA—HERO’s in Georgia, but for my readers in other states, it is also called State Farm Assist Patrol. State Farm is incredibly committed to keeping all drivers safe on the road. Even if you have done everything you can to keep your vehicle safe, sometimes things happen, and that’s when your local HERO will be there to help you out.
I was reading through some of the testimonials on www.AssistPatrol.com and discovered some really cool stories. Here is one testimonial from Bruce and his experience:
“I had a tire blow out on my trailer. As I was getting ready to change the tire on the shoulder of 80/94 EB, the truck arrived to assist. The driver, Mr. Yates, had better tools, including a floor jack and power lug wrench. When we took off the tire, we discovered the fender was bent and was rubbing on the wheel. Mr. Yates produced a pry bar that we used to bend the fender to approximately the original position. Mr. Yates was very helpful, and I am convinced he and his truck made the entire process safer and faster. Mr. Yates is a credit to his agency and should be commended. I am a retired police officer from an Illinois municipal department, and I worked the road for over 20 years of my career. I understand and appreciate the assistance rendered by people driving those motorist- assistance trucks. They do more than change a tire or tow someone off the roadway. They increase the safety and convenience of the motoring public. Thank you, Mr. Yates.”
– Bruce B. assisted by S. Yates, Indiana DOT Hoosier Helpers Sponsored by State Farm – Northwest Indiana (near Gary) on September 15th
No more being stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire on the way to Thanksgiving dinner; State Farm and the DOT can assist you and get you back on the road safely! To learn more about the Assist Patrol/HERO program, go here. Remember, this is a FREE local service!
This is a sponsored post by State Farm; all opinions are 100% my own
