Is it Time to Replace Your Timing Belt?

With the busyness of life, and often times lack of knowledge in regard to your vehicle, your timing belt can be forgotten. Unfortunately, the timing belt plays a bigger role in your vehicle than you may have realized, and if it fails, you could be stranded on the road or without a vehicle for a while. Here are a few important things to know about your timing belt, and how the best automotive center at the Lake of the Ozarks can help.

What is a Timing Belt?

A timing belt is a ribbed belt that can be found on the side of your engine. It's placed in such a way that it keeps the top half of your engine in sync with te bottom half. In a non-interference engine, it doesn't cause any issue when the timing belt breaks, but in interference engines, it's a whole different story.

What Does My Timing Belt Do?

If you have an interference engine, the valve's and piston's stroke take up the same space in the cylinder. The timing belt essentially keeps the pistons and the valves from smashing into each other. If the timing belt snaps, they run into each other. There are many things that can happen from bent valves to cylinder head or camshaft damage, maybe even piston and cylinder wall damage.

In a non-interference engine, the pistons and valves don't share the same space, and if the timing belt snaps there is no cylinder or valve damage. You can just add a new belt and the engine should typically be fine.

How Much Does it Cost to Change a Timing Belt?

It's not always as simple as just replacing the timing belt, because of this, the cost is not very straightforward until we can get under the hood and take a look. It is suggested to also replace the water pump, tensioner, and pulleys when you replace the timing belt, as well as any damage that could have occurred when the timing belt snapped.

Signs That My Timing Belt Needs to be Replaced

Occasionally, when the timing belt needs to be replaced, you'll hear a ticking sound from the engine. Sometimes you'll also notice that the engine misfires or doesn't even turn over at all. Sometimes you'll even notice oil leaking from the front of the engine. Unfortunately, in many cases, you don't realize the timing belt needs to be replaced until it's too late. You can check your vehicle's owner's manual to get a better idea of when the belt replaced. Many manufacturers say it should be replaced no later than 120,000 miles.

Vehicle Maintenance at the Lake of the Ozarks

From easy maintenance like tire changes and windshield wiper replacements to more complicated maintenance like having to replace a timing belt at the Lake of the Ozarks - we can help. Count on your local automotive shop at the Lake of the Ozarks to care for your vehicle and get you back on the road - FAST!

Serving the Lake of the Ozark with all towing at automotive 

needs - big or small!

www.BledsoesTowing.com

322 South Business Route 5

Camdenton, Missouri 65020

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The Best Times to Travel During the Holiday Season

As you pack up your vehicle and head over the hills and through the woods, there are a few ways you can help keep your travel plans less stressful. While practicing safe driving habits is key, you can also plan your trip around the least traveled times! 91% of holiday travelers are making their trek by personal vehicle, making a predicted 103 million Americans on the road, so it only makes sense to try and travel the road less taken. At Bledsoe's Towing, we want to help you have a safe holiday weekend, travel and all! Here are a few tips on keeping your travel safe and finding the best times to make the drive.

Driving To Your Holiday Destination

Try to pick times that most travelers wouldn't choose. Early morning and night travel are obviously the first choices, but be aware that night driving also has risks. You can expect to find the roads a bit more congested late in the day and late in the week. Try to choose travel times that are earlier in the day, as midday and evening traffic is normally heavier.

Also, remember that Hanukkah starts at sundown on Saturday, so traffic may be even busier than anticipated with the additional holiday.

Coming Home

Monday, December 26th is expected to be extremely busy with holiday traffic, as people start to make their way back home so they can be at work on Tuesday. While it may not be ideal, Christmas day is generally less busy. Otherwise, you can choose times that are later in the day to make your trek.

Friday, December 30th is also anticipated to be busy with the New Year's traffic. Choosing travel days that are midweek is a great way to help avoid the traffic.

Driving Safety Tips

As you're out on the road, be sure to remember safe driving practices. If you'll be traveling in snowy or icy conditions, prepare for them appropriately and don't go too fast. No matter the conditions, make sure that you allow plenty of room between you and the car in front of you to avoid incidents.

Keep Your Vehicle In Tip-Top Condition

Before you take your car out on the road, bring it out to Bledsoe's Towing! We can check your headlights, tires, oil, and other fluids as well as other automotive services at the Lake of the Ozarks. Our goal is to keep you safe out on the road. However, if you do find yourself in a pickle over the weekend, we offer 24-hour towing at the Lake of the Ozarks and would love to come to the rescue.

Serving the Lake of the Ozark with all towing at automotive 

needs - big or small!

www.BledsoesTowing.com

322 South Business Route 5

Camdenton, Missouri 65020

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Tips for Driving Safe in the Rain

The last few days have been on the dreary side of life, and with that, comes the chance for accidents and incidents due to the inclemate weather. Rain, fog, clouds, and now cooler weather all play a part in the driving conditions, and while we are the best tow company at the Lake of the Ozarks, we really don't want to see you in a position where you need us. Here are a few ways you can drive safely in rainy weather, and hopefully see less of us!

Did You Know

While you probably assumed driving in the rain was dangerous, did you know that it's more dangerous than driving in the snow? Research has shown that 46 percent of weather-related crashes happened during rainfall, but only 17 percent while it was snowing or sleeting. Of course, this is in part because drivers tend to stay home when the weather gets bad, but it does also show that drivers as a whole don't acknowledge the dangers of driving in the rain.

Rain Ready

The tread on your tires makes a huge difference in your ability to keep control of your vehicle. One way you can check is by grabbing a quarter (some say to use a penny, but some researchers say a quarter is more accurate). Insert the quarter in your tire and if Washington's head is always covered by the tire than you should have more than 4/32 of an inch of tread remaining. If the top of Washington's head is exposed, you need to get new tires. At Bledsoe's Towing and Automotive we have the best tires at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Tire pressure is also important. Check your pressure once a month, using a tire gauge. You also want to check your windshield wipers to make sure they are ready to function properly when you're out on the road. Finally, check your headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals and make sure they are all in working order. 

Keep It Slow

In order to stay safe out on the road, be sure to keep a safe distance between you and the other drivers. A good way to know how far to stay back is by staying about 3-4 seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. When the vehicle in front of you passes a fixed marker, like a street light, count three seconds. Add more time if it's raining, like five seconds, and then add another second per driving challenge.

Beware of Technology

There is some technology that is safe to use in bad weather, others that are not - the key is knowing which is which. Cruise control is not safe to use while you're driving in the rain because you lose some early weight transfer as you let off the gas. Traction-control, however, is made for rainy days and can prevent the wheels from slipping on wet pavement.Your antilock braking is also meant to prevent the loss of steering control during hard braking, especially on wet and slippery roads.

Stay Safe on the Roads

Whether you're driving on a bright and sunny day, or a wet dreary day, the Bledsoe's team hopes you have a safe time on the road. Whether you find yourself with a broken windshield wiper or stuck in a ditch, our automotive company at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to help. Give us a call at (573) 346-7050 for 24-hour towing at the Lake of the Ozarks!

Serving the Lake of the Ozark with all towing at automotive 

needs - big or small!

www.BledsoesTowing.com

322 South Business Route 5

Camdenton, Missouri 65020

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7 Things You Should Know About Your Car

Your car may seem like a complicated piece of machinery - or even technology at this point, but just like any other piece of equipment, you need to know how it works. While you can hire the best auto maintenance company at the Lake of the Ozarks to make repairs or give you a tow when you're stranded, there are some situations where you may need to know how to find your way around your vehicle on your own. Here are a few things you'll want to know when you operate your vehicle.

Know the Mechanics

If your car overheats and needs some coolant added, but you don't know where the radiator is - this could make for a challenging situation. Take a few moments to put out your owner's manual and pop the hood of your vehicle. Whether you want to find the windshield wiper fluid or the oil dipstick - it's easier when you know where to look.

Inspect Your Parking Spot

Keeping an eye on your parking spot can give you a heads up for any issues before they become big problems. Leaking oil, radiator fluid and more can be seen when you are aware of what's being left on the concrete while your vehicle sits there.

Pay Attention to Detail

The problems are in the details. When you notice your vehicle making a strange noise, reacting differently to starting and stopping, or even smelling odd - Bledsoe's Towing and Automotive can help. Pay attention to the details so you can explain it to our mechanics, this can make the diagnosis faster.

Know the Levels

Do you know how to check the levels of water and oil in your vehicle? If you don't, you may want to pull out the manual of your car and learn. This won't seem necessary - until you need it.

Don't Tailgate

Tailgating not only puts you too close to a vehicle (especially if it brakes) but it doesn't allow you to see and react to things in the road. If there isn't enough distance between you and the car ahead and something happens to be in the middle of the road, you don't have time to react, and you're only option is to either hit it, or dodge around it - which is dangerous.

Learn Some Simple Maintenance

Learning how to change a tire is one of the most important. While we offer 24-hour towing at the Lake of the Ozarks, and would love to come to your aid, sometimes you just need to know how to do a few things. Checking your oil, and being able to add new oil is also a good thing to know.

Keep it Clean

Finally, keep your vehicle clean. Not only will this help it last longer, but it can make it easier to perform certain maintenance tasks.

Automotive Maintenance at the Lake of the Ozarks

From quick fixes to lengthy repairs, Bledsoe's Towing is here to help. We have been located at the Lake of the Ozarks for over 50 years, and when you're looking for a trusted mechanic - we're the place. Do you have questions about your vehicle? Give us a call! Even if it's as simple as the check engine light, we can offer some troubleshooting before you bring your car out.

Serving the Lake of the Ozark with all towing at automotive 

needs - big or small!

www.BledsoesTowing.com

322 South Business Route 5

Camdenton, Missouri 65020

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