Squeaky Clean: The Dos and Don’ts of Car Washing

There’s nothing better than hitting the road with a clean and pristine-looking vehicle, ready to make an impression. While you could easily wait in line at an automatic car wash, sometimes it is good to put in the elbow grease and put in the work yourself.
When that time comes to clean your car, you need to know how to do that without causing damage. If you are ready to get scrubbing, follow these tips to ensure you are doing everything as you should.

Not Every Soap Works

If you were to ask anyone what type of soap you should use to wash your car, chances are they’ll say dish soap. It’s advice that has been passed down for years. But it’s surprisingly really bad advice! While dish soap cuts right through grease to leave your pans spotless, the chemicals in it can wear off your car’s wax and even damage the paint. Avoid this issue by only using car-specific soap.

The One-and-Done Rule

No, this doesn’t mean you should wash your vehicle once and then never touch it again. This tip is specific to the items you use to wash your vehicle and the probability of dropping them on the ground: if you drop your wash cloth once, it’s done. If you fail to follow this rule and continue using your cloth, the small stones and dirt particles on it can cause havoc on your paint’s finish. Avoid the trouble, grab a different wash cloth, and move on.

Avoid Direct Sunlight

One of the best things you can do to have your car looking beautiful by the time you’re done is keeping it wet until it’s time to dry. When you wash your car in direct sunlight, you lose the ability to do so. This means you could end up with spotty, blotchy patches where the water and soap suds dried up with the sun.

Microfiber is the Way to Go

We understand it’s easy to use an old t-shirt or kitchen towel to dry your car. However, these items are way too abrasive for your car’s paint and could cause scratches. Do the right thing and get yourself some microfiber towels that will help keep your car looking pristine for years to come.
There are many ways to keep your vehicle maintained. At Pronto Insurance, we can help with the bigger concerns such as your insurance needs.

Running on Empty: How Much Should You Panic When the Gas Light Turns On?

No matter how careful, watchful, and responsible you are, there is a good chance you’ve experience the sudden dread that comes with a gas light turning on. Immediately you’ll panic and hope to see a gas station in your vicinity. The stress is real, but is actually validated? Will your car stop running within the next few minutes?

At Pronto Insurance we want to help you prevent and accident and stay safe on the road.

Hey, There’s Still Some Left

While the E indicator is extremely alarming, it doesn’t actually mean you’re out of fuel. In fact, if your car was made in the last 25 years, the E indicator simply means you have reached your vehicle’s reserves. Sure, this doesn’t mean you can go on a road trip and back, but you have plenty of time to fill up.

Surprisingly Plenty of Time

Now that we know what your gas light indicates, you might be wondering how many miles you actually have left. The truth is it depends. As you can imagine, gas mileage and the reserves of each vehicle vary, and when the gas light turns does too. However, in most cases, most vehicles have between 30 and 30 miles once you get to your reserves.

Making It a Habit Is Problematic

You may also be wondering if it’s a good idea to fill up every time you get to that point. The short answer is no. As your vehicle ages, impurities build up at the bottom of your gas tank. This is normal, however, if you let your car get to the point where it has no choice but to suck up that gunk, you may be harming your engine’s efficiency and longevity.

5 Lesser Known Driving Violations That may get you Pulled Over – Part 2

Pronto Insurance previously shed light on some of the not-so-common reasons why police officers may pull you over. The topic is vast, and the information we share with you may keep you from getting reprimanded by the law. So, to help prepare you, even more, we’ve decided to share additional insight into this topic.

Being Too Loud

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the rumble of your exhaust pipe as you sit at a stop sign. And there’s definitely nothing wrong with jamming out to your favorite hits when you get behind the wheel. However, when these situations get a little too loud, you may have some noise complaints heading your way. After all, it’s important to remember you share the road with many others, so being mindful is a must.

Overcrowded

Imagine pulling up to a traffic light, looking over to the vehicle next to you, and seeing upwards of ten people crammed inside it. At the very least, it looks a little off, doesn’t it? If police officers see this, they may think it’s suspect and outright dangerous, so pulling the car over is a must.

Out of the Bar, Into the Car

This seems like an obvious one, but just in case it doesn’t, walking out of a bar and into a vehicle may look outright wrong to a watchful officer. At the very least, the officer will pull the car over to ensure the person behind the wheel is the designated driver. At the worst, the driver is in heaps of trouble.

Litter Bug

Throwing trash out of your car window is not only an environmental wrongdoing but is also a significant hazard and could potentially cause a crash. If a police officer sees you littering, you should expect flashing lights immediately.

The Bad Kind of Tailgating

There’s a big chance you’ve been on the wrong end of a tailgater. You’ve glanced at your rearview mirror and gone from “what is this person doing,” to “cut it out!” In all fairness, tailgating is a huge safety hazard that can cause serious accidents. It’s the reason why, if officers see it, they’re sure to pull over the driver at fault.

5 Lesser Known Driving Violations That may get you Pulled Over – Part 1

Drivers around the nation are expected to operate their vehicles safely by abiding by Texas state road laws. For the most part, everyone driving on the road knows what they should and shouldn’t do. Speeding is bad, texting while driving is a no-go, and getting behind the wheel while under the influence is never a good idea. But, ask yourselves, are there other not-so-common issues that can get you pulled over? Without a doubt! Pronto Insurance is ready to give you the answers you need.

Tint Woes

We all deserve a bit of protection from the sun, but some drivers take their window-tint use overboard. Most states in the nation limit the amount of tint on windows, and some even outlaw its’ use completely. In fact, many police officers carry devices that gauge the level of tint on windows, allowing them to fine drivers.

Too Filthy

Your car is equipped with components that make life easier for you and other drivers. Things like your windows, windshield, lights, and even your license plate, keep you and others safe! However, the purpose of all these components can be hindered if your car is filthy. If an officer concludes that your visibility, signaling, or other road essentials are affected by your car’s uncleanliness, you can expect to be pulled over.

Lights Off

Today, most vehicles include automatic lighting functions that allow you to drive at night without turning on your headlights manually. However, it’s not uncommon for drivers to forget to turn on their headlights at night, even on well-lit roads. If this happens to you, keep in mind that officers will pull you over, and at the very least, give you a warning.

Pull a U-Turn

U-turns are one of the most debated subjects for driving on the road. On the one hand, some streets have very clear signage prohibiting the action. But does that mean it’s OK to make a U-turn if there is no clear sign on the road? Ultimately, police officers make the final call, and if they determine you did something illegal, you’ll likely be pulled over and receive a fine.

Car Damage

Much like driving around with a filthy car, driving a damaged one can potentially affect your vehicle’s major functions. We’re talking broken tail lights, headlights, plate lights, smashed windows, and even dragging a damaged bumper behind you. If you want to avoid getting pulled over, it’s in your best interest to be damage-free.

5 Items You Should Always Keep in Your Car During the Cooler Months

The fall and winter months are the perfect time to stay home, cuddle up, and relax without a worry to be had. However, realistically, most of us will still need to head out into the slippery roads no matter what. To help you stay safe in these hazardous conditions, Pronto Insurance has a list of the five essential items you should always keep in your vehicle during these cooler months.

Portable Phone Charger

In today’s day and age, a smartphone can be a lifesaver. It’s the reason why keeping a fully-charged portable charger in your vehicle is a must. While most vehicles today are equipped with charging ports, this could prove useless if your car battery is dead. With a portable charger, you’ll be able to contact family or friends, a ride share service, or even emergency services.

Jumper Cables

Almost every driver out there knows their car battery will give out sooner or later. But despite this, every day, a large part of drivers still climb into their vehicles without a set of jumper cables! To avoid any issues, make sure you have your pair in your car at all times.

Sand and Litter

You may have never been stuck in a patch of ice, snow, or mud before, but know this: if that moment ever happens, you can always trust in sand and cat litter. Sure, this is about the oddest couple of items you could ever have anywhere, but the traction they provide to stuck tires can get you un-stuck from a tricky situation.

First-Aid Kit

Winter is cold, wet, and slippery. The perfect recipe for falls, scratches, and scrapes. A first aid kit can make the difference if you experience any of these while out on the road. It can help you treat minor injuries effectively, or at least until you’re able to seek professional help.

Insurance Information

Your car insurance is important year-round, but it’s especially necessary during the hazardous conditions usually attributed to the fall and winter months. Even if you have your insurance information on your phone, we strongly suggest you keep a physical copy in your vehicle at all times.

Items You Should Never EVER Leave in Your Car – Part 2

In a previous blog, we shared information on some of the worst items you could ever leave in your vehicle. They can potentially burst, cause damage, and go up in flames! Pronto Insurance wants to provide you with even more information about other items you should always avoid leaving in your vehicle.

Forgotten Food Is Bad News

As you can imagine, items like chocolate, ice cream, or ice are going to have a rotten time in your vehicle. However, the situation can get even worse with forgotten groceries or leftover food! Harmful bacteria can quickly cultivate in unrefrigerated food and can lead to you or your loved ones becoming sick. If you end up leaving food in your car for more than an hour, we suggest you dispose of it to avoid illness.

Sunscreen Isn’t Heat Proof

Protection against the sun’s harmful rays is never a bad idea. However, leaving sunscreen in your vehicle could mean bad news. For starters, high temperatures can add intense pressure to your bottles and make them burst, which leads to big cleanup jobs for your vehicle. More importantly, the heat can eventually shorten the life of your sunscreen and decrease its effectiveness.

Batteries are No Joke

Batteries tend to leak or burst when exposed to high temperatures. If this were to happen in your vehicle, you and your loved ones could accidentally inhale those harmful battery acids and fumes. If you carry battery-powered items such as chargers or flashlights, make sure you keep them in the trunk of your car, away from the interior.

Items You Should Never EVER Leave in Your Car – Part 1

Life comes at you fast. One minute you’re at home, relaxing, without a care in the world. Then – bam! You’re speeding down the road because you remembered you had to be somewhere. We can lose our train of thought during these times and can leave items in our car for hours, days, or even weeks! However, there are certain items you should never forget and leave in your vehicle. Pronto Insurance is here to let you know why.

The Obvious One: Electronics

Electronics like your smartphone, laptop, or tablet, are expensive and delicate, especially if left exposed to hot temperatures. Many electronics companies display warnings to remind you of the consequences you can face if you leave those items in your car. You can avoid damages or theft by simply checking your vehicle before you exit.

Lighters Are a No-Go

It’s not difficult to imagine the kind of mess an exploding lighter can make inside your vehicle if it busts. When temperatures rise, the lighter fluid expands and can leak and potentially burst the lighter. Whether an automobile fire occurs or not, you don’t want to risk experiencing one.
Instead, avoid leaving lighters in your vehicle at all times.

Aerosol Dangers

If you ever take the time to look at the recommended storage temperatures on the side of any aerosol can, you quickly realize leaving them in a car is not a good idea. Pressurized cans can expand with high temperatures, and they’re more likely to crack or explode in the confines of your vehicle. Do the right thing and check twice before leaving your car at the mercy of an aerosol can.

Can I Be Pulled Over for Having a Dirty Car?

There’s something to be said about driving a spotless and shiny vehicle down the road. After all, who doesn’t want to cruise around in something so immaculate! However, life can get hectic, and it can become challenging to find time to clean and maintain a vehicle. We have to wonder, do police officers have something to say about dirty vehicles? You may be driving around with potential ticket targets. At Pronto Insurance, we want you to take mindful steps while driving on the road, including caring for your car before being potentially ticketed.

Ticket Potential

There are several components in your vehicle that ensure you drive safely and help others identify your vehicle. However, that can be inhibited if your car is beyond filthy and may lead to a potential ticket:

As you can imagine, if any of these components keep you from driving your car safely or make it difficult for law enforcement to identify you, you could risk getting pulled over, getting a warning, and even being penalized for having an equipment violation.