Car Safety for Kids

Wearing your seatbelt is the law, but what happens when you're a small baby or toddler? Do you know the rules for keeping your children safe when they are in booster seats, forward facing car seats, or rear facing car seats? At Bledsoe's Towing, we want to keep all of your passengers safe, from the largest to the smallest and everyone in between. Here are a few things to keep in mind when buckling your kids up for their next ride.

Quick Glance at Types of Car Seats

Every age requires a different form of safety for your child, so it's important to know what the requirements are before getting them in the car.

Infants & Toddlers - Rear facing or rear facing convertible car seats only
Toddlers & Preschoolers - Convertible car seat or forward facing with harness
School - aged Children - Booster Seats
Older Children - Seatbelts

Safety for Infants

The AAP recommends that ALL infants ride rear facing beginning with their first ride home. As surprising as it may seem, they should continue to ride rear-facing until they are at least two years of age, or until the reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car seat.

Before bringing your baby home, you will want to read the manufacturer's instructions for both the car and the car seat to learn the best way to get it secured in the vehicle. You can have them secured down with the Latch System, or with your seatbelt.

Safety for Toddlers & Preschoolers

When your child has grown too large for their rear-facing seat, you can then transition them into a forward facing seat. They should use a forward-facing seat with a harness, and you should keep them in that harness as long as possible, hopefully, four years of age.

Safety for School-Aged Children

Once your child outgrows the forward-facing car seat, it's time to upgrade to a booster seat! Most of the children will not fit in most vehicle seat belts without a boost until they are ten to eleven years old, and all children younger than thirteen should ride int eh back seat. There will be instructions that come with your booster seat to let you know what the height and weight limits are. You can get a high back booster seat or a backless booster seat. This all depends on what your child would like.

Safety for Older Children

After your child is at least eight years old, weighs at least 80 pounds or is taller than 4'9" they can upgrade to just a seatbelt. The should belt should lie across the middle of the chest and shoulder, not the neck or throat, and the lap belt should be low and snug across the upper thighs. Be sure that your child doesn't tuck the should belt under their arm or behind their back. 

Caring For Your Child's Safety

We care about your children's safety just as much as we care about your when you're out and about in your vehicle. Even small fender benders can make a huge impact when a child is not strapped in properly in their seat. Bledsoe's Towing is proud to be the best auto mechanic at the Lake of the Ozarks, so when you have a car problem, we are here to help. Do you need towing at the Lake of the Ozarks? We can help with that too, and we provide 24-hour towing so no matter what time you need us, we're there.

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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Safety at the Fuel Pump

Between work, school, and activities, we guess you probably spend quite a bit of time at the gas pump. While it may be a normal part of your routine, sometimes we forget how important it is to remain safe at the gas pump. After all, they're extremely flammable, and can be the cause of many injuries when you're not paying attention. At Bledsoe's Towing, we want you to stay safe around your vehicle, whether you're driving it, or caring for it. Here are a few things to remember next time you fill your tank.

Never Leave the Pump Unattended

This may seem like a no-brainer, but many times it can be an easy one to fall into. If it's either really hot or really cold, the first thing you want to do is jump back in that car and not have to stand out there. Or maybe you needed to run into the gas station and use the restroom. All of these seem like valid reasons, but if for any reason the pump malfunctions and doesn't stop pumping you could end up with fuel covering the side of your vehicle and spilling to the ground. This can be a hazard and a waste of money. If you're afraid of getting cold in the winter, just keep special "gas pump gloves" in your car, and if you need to go inside for any reason, do it after you're done filling the car up.

Turn Your Car Off

Sometimes you just want to get in and out, and it seems faster to not turn your car off. Plus, if you do,  the air conditioning is turned off, the heater is turned off, and you don't have a comfy place to run when you're done. Unfortunately, this is not safe for you or your car. Your gas tank is pressurized, and that pressure is what keeps your check engine light from coming on. If you open your gas tank while the vehicle is running, that causes your car to flash the light unnecessarily. Plus, a running vehicle with gas fumes provides more opportunities for a dangerous situation.

Don't Let Your Gas Tank Get Too Low

Not only is this a bad idea because it could put you in a dangerous situation - it's also bad for your fuel pump. When you get too low, you are risking running out of fuel while on the road, and in some cases, being too far away from a gas station to easily fill up. You'll then have to wait for our towing service at the Lake of the Ozarks to come out and bring you extra gas, which doesn't save you time (even though we are GLAD to come out and help you!).You're also stressing and straining your vehicle more than necessary. Come up with a routine that works best for you, maybe to fill up on your lunch break, or every Friday afternoon on your way home from school, or even when you hit the halfway mark.

Caring for Your Car

There are only a few things your car really needs to continue to run, and fuel is one of them. Whether you use gasoline, diesel, or another form of fuel, it's important to always keep the appropriate amount in your vehicle. Of course, should something happen, and you need the best vehicle maintenance team at the Lake of the Ozarks to come out and get you, we would be glad to. Our 24-hour towing service at the Lake of the Ozarks is always here to help!

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 Fun Facts About Tires

There are four, sometimes more, but they always get you where you need to go. The tires on your vehicle have a HUGE impact on where you go and what you do because if they're flat, you're not going to get very far! At Bledsoe's Towing, we know how important it is for your wheels to be rolling, so we work hard to provide the best tires at the Lake of the Ozarks. Before you give your tires a little TLC, here are some fun facts you may not have realized about those rubber donuts you've been riding on.

Fun Facts About Tires

1. In 1961, Goodyear experimented with an illuminated tire. Lit from the inside by glass incandescent bulbs, the softly glowing white tires never left the show circuit.

2. The natural color of rubber is white, not black. Manufacturers of tires add carbon black to rubber to increase various qualities that prolong the life of the tire. The carbon black increases road-wear abrasions of the produced tire by as much as 100-fold. It also improves the tensile strength by as much as 1,000 percent to rubber left untreated. Carbon black helps conduct heat away from troubled spots, such as tread and belt areas. Considering heat is one of the tires biggest enemies, this is a great advantage.

3. The World’s Largest Tire is in Allen Park, Michigan. The tire is a 12-ton, 80-foot-tall tower of rubber that was built to withstand hurricane-force winds. It served as a Ferris wheel at the 1964-1965 New York’s World Fair. The tire was later moved to Allen Park in 1966. Urban legend has it that the tire broke loose and rolled across I-94. But, there’s no evidence of such a thing ever happening.

4. More than 250 million tires are discarded each year. Recent recycling programs melt the rubber for asphalt or shred them for garden mulch. Some companies even make new tires out of old ones.

5. Despite their seemingly simple construction, tires are actually a highly engineered piece of technology. Tires use an advanced blend of rubber and polymers to maximize traction and minimize road noise in all weather and road conditions. However, developing this kind of technology takes time – two to four years of development to be precise! Who knew tires were so advanced?

6. Don't have a spare tire in your car? Turns out they may become a thing of the past. In an effort to make cars lighter and more compact, they are including tire repair kits and even a can of air so you don't have to carry a spare around

7. Because tires are filled with air, the outside temperature can affect your tire’s pressure more than you might expect. On average, experts say that for every 10 degrees (Celsius) of temperature shift, your tire’s pressure can fluctuate by up to 1.5psi. So as the seasons change, be sure to check your tire pressure!

Best Tire Company at the Lake of the Ozarks

Who knew that those little rubber wheels had so many unique and fun details about them! It's important to always take care of your tires, because when you take care of them, they take care of you. At Bledsoe's Towing we can not only come out and change your tire when you find yourself stranded with a flat, you can bring them out to us for tire rotations at the Lake of the Ozarks, repairs, and replacements. Visit our website to learn more about our services and don't hesitate to give us a call at (573) 346-7050.

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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4 Things To Know When Choosing A Mechanic

Choosing a mechanic shop doesn't have to be complicated, and we certainly expect that you'll come away with a wonderful experience. There are many who don't, and that's why we've provided the best auto mechanic shop at the Lake of the Ozarks, so you can trust that there is a company out there who cares about your experience even more than you do.

Ask Around

One of the best things you can do to find the best auto shop at the Lake of the Ozarks is to ask the people around you. You can ask co-workers, parents of your kid's friends, or friends on social media. When someone has had a great experience they love to share it.

Shop Before An Emergency

One of the best things you can do is find the auto shop before you actually need them. If you ask around and determine that you want to go to Bledsoe's Towing before you have a flat tire, go into the ditch, your car starts smoking, or you've locked your keys in your car, then you won't have to worry about who to call. Do yourself a favor right now by grabbing your phone, opening up your contacts, and creating a new one. Put the name Bledsoe's Towing, and then add our phone number, (573) 346-7050. Now you have the peace of mind of knowing that if you ever have an auto emergency, you can call the towing company that operates 24/7.

Don't Choose Your Mechanic Based On Price

While price can be a very strong factor in who you choose, it shouldn't be the top reason you choose an auto company. What you really want is quality, a service that gives you exactly what you need at the level of experience that keeps it working longer. Our mechanics are all well trained in their field and you can be certain that you and your car are in good hands. Our company has been providing quality service since 1964, and you can trust that when you bring your car to Bledsoe's Towing, you're bringing it to a family-friendly company that has been based at the Lake for over 50 years.

Check Online Reviews

While it's always better to get information right from the source, like your friends, sometimes online reviews can help you know whether to trust a company. Keep in mind, though, that while they can be a good depiction of the company, sometimes they are just a place for throwing tomatoes. If you have had a great experience with Bledsoe's Towing, we invite you to head over to our Facebook page and leave us a shining review! If you have questions or concerns about your experience, please, give us a call. We would love to address them personally and make the situation better!

Auto Shop at the Lake of the Ozarks

Are you looking for the best car mechanic at the Lake of the Ozarks? We would like to invite you to give us a call and let us help you get back on the road. From minor maintenance needs to major incidents like needing a tow, we're here for you. Don't forget to follow our social media channels for great information on taking care of your vehicle and more!

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 Ins and Outs of Your Engine

Have you ever been curious about what exactly happens when you start your car? Or how your car even propels you down the highway as you head to work in the morning? At Bledsoe's Towing, we take great pride in keeping your engine running smoothly and correctly from the time you start your car in the morning to the time you shut it down at night. We have been the best car mechanics at the Lake of the Ozarks for over fifty years, and we aim to continue providing the same quality work you've loved every since. Because knowledge is power, we wanted to give you a little inside knowledge about how your engine works so that you can accurately describe problems that may arise or even just know for fun facts around the dinner table!

First Things First

While you may have thought that the description of a vehicle was that it is just a metal box with wheels, from a scientific point of view it's really an energy converter. The machine that you know as your car releases energy that is locked in a fuel, like gasoline, and then turns it into mechanical energy which is what causes your wheels to turn and you to move down the road.

Many moving vehicles are powered by fuels that are made from petroleum. The "crude oil" became an important source of energy during the 20th century, and while there are a few other ways to power a vehicle, this one remains the most prominent.

How Does Our Fuel Power Our Vehicle?

Petroleum fuels are made from hydrocarbons, which are mainly carbon and hydrogen atoms - with a few other elements.While you commonly burn hydrocarbons to make useful energy, like wood, paper or coal in your fireplace, grill, or fire pit, these are uncontrolled sources of energy.  While the combustion does occur from the hydrocarbons releasing energy, in a camp fire it can be hard to control that energy because the heat shoots off in all different directions.

In your car, those hydrocarbons are burned in closed containers that capture most of the heat energy the fuel releases, and then it turns it into a mechanical energy that can drive your car.

What Are the Main Parts of A Car Engine

Now that we know how a car engine is powered, it's time to learn some more about what actually happens when it's powered. The closed containers we mentioned that capture the energy are known as cylinders. In most cars, you'll find four cylinders (also know as a four stroke engine) but in many powerful cars, you'll find six or even eight. The cylinders are sealed shut, except for two valves that open and close like a bicycle pump. There are pistons (think of them like plungers) that slide up and down inside the cylinders. There is an inlet valve that allows fuel and air to enter the cylinder from the carburetor and the outlet valve that lets the exhaust gasses back out. There are also spark plugs (you may have heard this term at one point from your Lake of the Ozarks car mechanic), and these are electrically controlled devices that make a spark and cause the fuel to catch fire. At the bottom of the cylinder, you'll find a piston which is attached to a crankshaft, and this powers the car's gearbox which is what drives the wheels.

Whew! Did you catch all of that? If you need a visual to help you understand what happens, this video can give you a pretty good idea of how this inside of your engine works.

Engine Repair at the Lake of the Ozarks

After seeing all of the moving parts that go into JUST your engine, now you can see why it's so important to have an expert work on your car. While it may seem like basic science there are so many small details that can go wrong, and you want a mechanic who not only knows how your car works but knows how to deduct what could actually be happening to it. If you think that there could be something wrong with your engine, or it's just not making the right sound, bring it out! We'd love to have one of our skilled Lake of the Ozarks car mechanics take a look and help you solve the mystery!

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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Decoding the Lights On My Dashboard - Part 2

Have you ever been driving down the road only to realize that there is a light on your dashboard that you don't recognize? It happens to everyone, so that's why we want to provide you with the information you need so you can easily recognize what the light stands for. At Bledsoe's Towing and Automotive, we realize that there are many things that happen while you're out on the road, and we want to make it as easy as possible for you to get back out there, whether you need towing at the Lake of the Ozarks, or simple vehicle maintenance at the Lake of the Ozarks. Here is part two of our Decoding the Lights on My Dashboard, and we hope it can help you out!

Tire Pressure Monitoring System

This light is a warning that there has been a drop in air pressure in one or more of your tires. Some vehicles have it where they will show you which tire is low, others just give you a warning that one is and you can bring it to us to figure out. If any of your tires are low, it's important to get them filled up as quickly as possible. If you have to keep adding air on a routine basis, then you may have a leak in your tire.

Oil Pressure Light

This could indicate one of two things - either your sensor that activates the oil pressure has failed, or your engine has low oil pressure. We figure it's better to assume the pressure is low and bring it out to Bledsoe's Towing and Automotive. If the light is just disconnected, we can try to fix that for you and you'll be on your merry way! Otherwise, if the oil pressure really is low, than we've just saved you from being stranded!

Fog Lamp Indicator

This just alerts you to the fact that your fog lights are lit up. If you aren't having issues seeing, and there isn't any fog, you can turn these off.

Low Fuel Light

This is one of the more important lights on your dashboard, because if it shows up, you need to make your way to the nearest gas station and fuel up. If it shows up while you still have a full tank of gas, you should bring it out to us and let us see where the error is. We would hate for you to be stranded because of a dashboard malfunction. Every vehicle has a different amount of miles you can go when the light comes on, but it's best to not wait that long.

Headlight Indicator

If you were driving late last night and you turned your car off with your brights still illuminated, then this light will let you know that you need to turn them off and back down to your regular head lights.

The Best Auto Mechanics at the Lake of the Ozarks

Are you looking for a trustworthy company to do repairs on your vehicle, or come out and get you when you need a tow? Trust Bledsoe's Towing. We've been located at the Lake of the Ozarks since 1964, and we've been providing the best service ever since then. Bring your car out and let us take a look at it to help you deduce what errors you may be having before they get worse!

Did you miss the other blogs in the series? You can read them here:Decoding the Lights on your Dashboard - Part 1
Decoding the Lights on your Dashboard - Part 3

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 Rainy Weather Driving

While summer is commonly known for the high heat indexes, and making sure that you don't lock your pets and kids in a hot car, it can also be known for random and severe thunderstorms. Rain always provides an element of surprise, as with any weather changes. As the best automotive shop at the Lake of the Ozarks, we want to make sure that you and your car stay safe on the road through every season, rain or shine. Here are a few things to remember when a sudden storm pops up.

Don't Use Cruise Control

While cruise control may seem harmless in the rain, it removes the control you have over driving, especially on roads that may be dangerous. Excess water on the road can a loss of traction, and when you aren't correcting for it as it happens by letting off the accelerator, you could find yourself somewhere you didn't want to be. Remember that if something unexpected does happen, be sure to call the best towing company at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Keep Both Hands on the Wheel

If there are large gusts of wind or chances of hydroplaning, you'll want to have both hands on the wheel and be entirely focused on what's happening. If you are driving a large vehicle or towing a trailer, this is especially important.

Treat Your Windshield

It's always a good idea to use a windshield protecting formula on a regular basis so when it does rain cats and dogs you are prepared and can easily see. There are many products on the market that are made for keeping your windshield waterproof, and they can make driving in the rain a lot safer. Here is a video to show you the difference between having a rain shield product and not.

Turn Your Headlights On

It is Missouri law to turn on your headlights when your windshield wipers are required. While you may feel like you can see your surroundings and that your headlights aren't necessary, having your lights on does make it easier for other people to see you. When the weather is dark, dreary, cloudy or even foggy, this can make a huge difference in visibility for others seeing you.

Give Other Vehicles More Space

While it's important to give other vehicles plenty of space on a beautiful day, it's also incredibly important when the weather is somewhat dangerous. The Missouri Driving Guide from the Department of Revenue says that you should follow the Three Second Rule (and no...this is not the same rule you follow when you drop food on the floor!)

"THREE SECOND RULE
A good way to measure your safe following distance is to use the “three second rule.” Choose an object near the road ahead, like a sign or telephone pole. As the vehicle ahead of you passes it, count slowly, “One thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three.” If you reach the object before you finish counting, you are too close to the vehicle ahead."

When driving in rainy weather, add one or two more seconds to that to create a safe space between you and the car ahead.

The Best Car Maintenance at the Lake of The Ozarks

No matter what the weather conditions, accidents can happen, even if you are a safe driver. At Bledsoe's Towing, we want to keep you on the road longer, and that starts with safe driving practices. If, however, you do find yourself in a position where you need a car mechanic at the Lake of the Ozarks, we would be glad to help you fix the problems and get back on the road!

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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