Auto & Towing Blog

Battery Boost

Car Battery Replacement

Getting stuck on the side of the road is every driver’s nightmare. If you find yourself in need of speedy assistance, Bayview Towing is ready to respond at the drop of a hat – or the stall of an engine. Bayview Towing is fully insured and our exceptional uniformed staff are all WreckMaster trained. With 21 trucks available at any time, we provide a host of auto recovery services in Surrey and the surrounding areas – including battery boosts.

The battery in your car serves a very important function, and without it, your vehicle will not be able to start. That starting power is produced solely by the battery. Batteries normally have a maximum life expectancy of up to five years. Other parts and systems can affect its lifespan, including your alternator, your starter, the solenoid, the battery terminals (which need to be clean and free from corrosion), and its own cables (which need to be intact). The recommendation is to replace it before you have problems with it – here’s what to look for:

  • It takes a lot of power to get your car started. One of the first signs of a problem with the battery is a slow cranking engine. The vehicle will often just make a rapid clicking sound, signaling the available power is too low to crank the engine. A jump start from another vehicle or battery will usually be enough to get the vehicle going. Have the battery tested at once and replaced if needed.
  • Your car battery also powers the accessories including power windows, power seats, radio, windshield wipers, dashboard lights, headlights and more. If any of your vehicle’s electronic components start to function erratically, for example, if you switch on the radio while using the headlights and the headlights go dim, it might be time for a battery replacement.
  • Your dashboard warning light, usually in the shape of a battery, will light up if the battery is not being replenished properly or if there is an internal problem with the battery, a defective alternator, or some other part of the electrical system. The battery light will stay on until the battery eventually fails.

That’s the basics, but as Canadians with our increasingly hot summers and renowned cold winters, there are additional concerns with overheating and freezing:

  • When a car battery is exposed to excessive amounts of heat or cold, the flat sides of the battery case may swell or bulge. Freezing and swelling from excess heat often result in an electrically “dead” battery that cannot be recovered and will require replacement.
  • When a battery has been frozen, overcharged or is shorted internally its case may vent gas. This venting often smells like rotten eggs. Conventional acid lead automotive batteries are filled with a mixture of water and sulfuric acid – basically a chemical reaction contained in a box. As the battery wears, some of the acid and water may evaporate which will disturb the mixture. This may cause the battery to overheat or boil, which will produce an unpleasant smell and even smoking in more severe cases. If this happens, have your battery inspected as soon as possible because the sulfuric acid can cause corrosion on other engine parts.

If you have experienced any of these symptoms, see your mechanic before you get stuck in the middle of nowhere. But if you do get stuck – for towing, battery boosts, and other emergency car services in Surrey, Langley, White Rock, and Cloverdale – contact Bayview Towing’s toll free number at 1-877-538-2032 today for prompt assistance with our regional and cross-border towing services. We are proud to be a Tow and Recovery Plus vendor recognized by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia.

Car trouble

Quick Tips During Car Breakdown

Don’t be stuck in a sticky situation when your car breaks down. Take a look at some of these quick fixes to help you tackle your car problems today, visit our website to learn more.

Safety first

No matter the specifics of the situation, your first step should always be to maintain the highest level of safety possible. If your car breaks down on the highway, carefully pull over to the right-hand curb and bring your vehicle to a complete stop. Turn on your hazards. Pop your hood, and cautiously exit on the passenger side to avoid stepping into oncoming traffic. Then prop up the hood, as it will give other drivers an additional visual cue as to your situation. If you are unable to move your vehicle off the highway, turn on your hazards and call for assistance. As soon as it’s safe to do so, and exercising extreme caution, exit the vehicle and hasten to the right-hand curb. Never try to fix your car when it’s stuck in the middle of the road.

A visual inspection

There are a few things to keep an eye out for when you look under the hood. Take note of your observations; this information could be useful if you end up needing to relay your situation to a mechanic or towing service.

TOWING SERVICES IN SURREY AND SURROUNDING AREAS

  • Check for leaks. Is there water streaming out of the radiator? Is there oil pooling on the engine?
  • Examine the battery. Determine whether or not all the cables are still connected. If there is a disconnected cable, cautiously reconnect it, making sure the engine is off when you do.
  • Give the engine a sniff. Note if there are any suspicious odours, like that of burnt oil or gasoline. Excessive heat coming from the engine is also a red flag.
  • Check the fluids. If you think your engine is overheating, one possible culprit could be a lack of fluids. In any case, it’s a good idea to give them all a check to see if levels are normal. Inspect transmission fluid, engine coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid, and engine oil. You’ll likely have already noted your fuel levels, but if you haven’t, then take a quick peek at your gas gauge as well. Refilling any missing fluids (provided you have them available) could help get you moving again.

Wait 5 – 10 and try again

Try to restart the car. Wait a good five to ten minutes, turning off your car completely in the interim. You might get lucky and be able to get your car back on the road again without outside assistance. But when all else fails, you’ll need a tow.

Thankfully there’s Bayview Auto Towing. When you’re stuck in Surrey, Cloverdale, White Rock, or other nearby areas, just give us a ring and we’ll be there ASAP to tow you back to safety.

Car Trouble

The 6 Most Common Causes of Car Breakdowns

You count on your car to get you where you need to be day after day. To go shopping, to get to work or simply to visit all the places in Surrey you want to visit. You might not be expecting it, but a breakdown can happen to anyone. Read further to learn the six most common causes of car breakdowns, which may call for towing services.

  1. Flat or blown tire
    Many drivers have experienced a flat tire at some point or another but fortunately, it’s an easy fix. Always keep a spare, a tire iron and a jack in your car, just in case you get a flat.
  2. Out of fuel
    Fuel gauges aren’t always accurate and driving on an empty tank puts you at risk of running out, especially if you get caught in traffic for longer than you expected, or even while getting gas from across the border. Keep your tank topped up to avoid this problem, or call us for towing if you ever get stuck without gas in the Surrey area or across the border.
  3. Alternator issues
    Flickering headlights, electrical system failures, trouble starting the engine, battery failure, and strange noises can all point to problems with the alternator. If your engine dies due to an electrical failure, call Bayview Auto Towing for quick and friendly roadside assistance.
  4. Transmission failure
    Transmission failure is most often due to lack of regular maintenance. Keep the transmission fluid topped up and have your car regularly serviced to avoid putting stress on the transmission components.
  5. Engine overheating
    If your engine overheats while driving, you could end up stuck on the side of the road. Turn the heat on full blast to take some of the pressure off the engine and then pull over as quickly as possible. No matter where you are, you can count on Bayview Auto Towing for round-the-clock towing services in Cloverdale and beyond.
  6. Oil and lubrication problems
    Oil reduces the amount of friction on the moving parts of your engine. It also helps carry away heat. If you run out of oil, the increased heat and friction can cause your engine to seize. You can’t drive with a seized engine so you’ll have to call for towing and then get your car to a mechanic.

You can count on us to come to your assistance as quickly as possible. Whether you need towing in Surrey, towing in Cloverdale or towing across the U.S. border, Bayview Auto Towing is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our services or for 24/7 roadside assistance.