Auto Towing Plans Fineprint

Tiny
DOBEDOO
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 175,000 MILES
Hello:

I'm confused about the fine print of my towing plan. It's a national company but I'm trying to remember what the restrictions are without having to call them and ask. They tend not to put these details in writing 'cause they don't help the marketing. The plan I have is 4 calls per year. I remember last time I towed months ago they told me they don't do "pre-existing" situations. So now I don't know whether I'm covered or not. I had them tow the car from the street to home. Now I need to tow from home to a mechanic maybe 20 miles away (friend-of-a-friends shop). The distance shouldn't be a problem but the home-to-shop might be a problem. Does anyone know whether this type of tow is usually covered by most plans or not? It's not a dealer plan.
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Tuesday, May 14th, 2013 AT 5:09 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Whatever it is, you still need to call them to confirm.
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Tuesday, May 14th, 2013 AT 5:19 PM
Tiny
DOBEDOO
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  • 13 POSTS
Is it industry standard not to tow disabled cars from a home address? The text says I'm covered on a roadway or a driveway (among others) but don't know it that includes MY driveway.
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Tuesday, May 14th, 2013 AT 9:34 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
I don't know about that but I don't see any problem with towing from home. If your vehicle breaks down at home why would you think the towing company has any fine print saying they would not tow it to the shop? A car can break down anywhere.
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Wednesday, May 15th, 2013 AT 5:00 AM
Tiny
DOBEDOO
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
OK. Thank You.

One more thing. Is there a solvent that will disappear the carbon tracks off the head mating surface (valve cover gasket) without having to scrub. I'm trying to do this fast before my mechanic comes to access the car and I don't want him to have to make a second trip. Already tried carb and choke cleaner on a rag, a nylon brush and a brass brush. Not working. I had to scrub hard with brass brush to clean the valve cover and I'm afraid to scrub that hard on the head.
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Wednesday, May 15th, 2013 AT 5:49 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
There are chemicals specifically for cleaning anything and what you need depends on what are the compounds you wish to remove. Check with the parts store, they might be able to show you something.
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Thursday, May 16th, 2013 AT 7:11 AM
Tiny
DOBEDOO
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Let me rephrase. When you have done this the hundreds of times you have done it, what did/do you use to easily get the carbon tracks off the head to make sure it is really clean? I know garages/pros have a fast and easy method because they are not going to spend hours on this. (If you were telling your favorite nephew/niece how to do this, what would you tell them.)
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Thursday, May 16th, 2013 AT 12:19 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
There are no easy way to clean engines except with the aids of chemical removers.
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Friday, May 17th, 2013 AT 8:04 AM

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