Latest news with #roadsideassistance
CTV News
30-07-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
What to know when you need a tow
Drivers can say 'no' to a tow. CTV's Alexandra Holyk takes a look at roadside rights when dealing with the towing industry. Police are urging drivers to know their rights when it comes to getting a tow. 'You have a right to choose your tow truck company,' said Const. Matthew Burton with Wellington County OPP. 'Don't feel like you're under pressure or duress to follow their direction.' The push comes after separate incidents involving tow truck companies in Cambridge, Ont., and Hamilton earlier this month ended in charges. 'You also have a right to know the cost of towing and any kind of fees included,' Burton said. 'And you have a right to your property at the time of retrieval of the vehicle, whether it's at the scene or at a later date.' Burton said the OPP works with several reputable tow truck companies, but there are still bad actors on the roads. 'There could be tow truck companies out there trying to solicit business,' Burton said. 'Again, the drivers have a right not to use them. They have a right to say no.' According to local tow truck companies, the signs of a sketchy service can sometimes be easy to spot, saying things like, 'Oh, we need to move you off the side of the road right now, you're in danger where you're sitting … you could get hit here,' noted owner Roy Loveless. Loveless, who owns Roy's Towing and John's Towing in Elora, Ont., also pointed out pressure tactics in high-stress situations. 'Having a big burly guy walk up to your door … that's knocking on your door and saying, 'I'm going to tow your car,' that could be scary,' he said. 'So lock your door and talk through the [window] crack.' 'Just remember, it's your vehicle,' said Tony Martin, co-owner of Buehler Automotive in Alma, Ont. 'It's your choice what happens to the vehicle.' That means the driver can also choose to say no. 'Protect yourself on the side of the road and do the right thing,' said Loveless. 'And if you're nervous or you're scared, call the police.' 'There's a lot of horror stories,' Burton said. 'We want to make sure you're safe. We're here to help you through this moment of crisis and help you out.' 'When in doubt, call us,' he continued. 'We'll be able to help you find a good tow truck company.' Burton added that if a driver finds themselves in a collision, the first step is to pull over and safely get out of their vehicle, or stay buckled up inside with their hazards on if that's not possible. If the vehicle is still operational, Burton said to avoid the tow and go to a collision reporting centre at the local police station. If there are any injuries or potential criminal involvement, call 911. What are my rights if I need a tow? The province of Ontario has set out laws governing how tow truck companies can operate and what protections are available to customers. Tow truck operators must have a certificate to do business within Ontario and must show the name of their company and certificate number of all vehicles, consent forms and invoices. Drivers must also be prepared to show a copy of their tow driver certificate upon request. Drivers must consent to a tow, unless the process is initialized by a police officer or other authorized person. For example, a tow truck could be called to remove an illegally parked vehicle. Tow companies must also provide their rates before towing a vehicle and all rates must be posted at their office and on their website. Tow truck drivers also cannot show up uninvited. They could face penalties for soliciting services that have not been requested. A full list of customer rights and tow regulations is available online.
Times
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Times
Can I change my car's wheel if I've lost the locking wheel nut key?
Q. Can I change my car's wheel if I've lost my locking wheel nut key? If not, what should I do if I get stranded at the roadside?S L-B, Bridport A. Locking wheel nuts aren't usually part of the manufacturer's original equipment. As a rule in the UK, they are fitted during the vehicle's pre-delivery preparation as a measure to combat alloy wheel and tyre theft, a problem that used to be widespread in Britain. A car left on bricks with its wheels missing was once a relatively common sight, but this practice has been all but stamped out since the introduction of wheel security devices. In fact, they are so effective that when the supplied removal device, or 'key', is misplaced, it can become a real challenge to get the wheels off. • Car Clinic: Help! The battery in my electric car is flat and I'm locked out All AA patrols are equipped with and trained to use specialist locking-wheel-nut removal tools. These kits contain a number of different fittings to get around the security devices, but it's a skilled job that takes time to master and execute at the roadside. It also usually results in irreparable damage to the locking nuts or devices. This is why we urge all drivers to check before a journey they have their locking wheel nut keys stored safely in their cars. • Car Clinic: Does a car's colour affect its resale value? There's another issue. While one of our patrols will endeavour to remove the locking device, carrying out that operation on the hard shoulder of a motorway or a busy A-road isn't usually possible, so the first course of action would be a recovery to a safe location, adding delay to the whole process. Car Clinic: How can I tell how old my tyres are? My advice, if you know you've lost your wheel nut key, is to visit a reputable garage or tyre retailer to have the locking devices professionally removed and replaced with new ones, complete with the removal tool or key. New security kits usually come with two keys, so you can keep one in the car and the spare at Carter, technical expert, the AA Post your motoring questions below or send to carclinic@
CNET
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- CNET
Prime Day Deals: Add a Portable Jump Starter to Your Emergency Kit With up to 36% Off Today
Table of Contents Prime Day Deals: Add a Portable Jump Starter to Your Emergency Kit With up to 36% Off Today Amazon Prime Day deal: The Noco Boost Sport GB20 portable jump starter is currently discounted by 15%, bringing its normal $65 price tag down to just $55 bucks. The GB20 packs enough cranking power for most passenger cars and small SUVs, but owners of big trucks, V8s or diesel-powered vehicles can also find Noco's larger GB40 jump starter discounted to $80 which is 36% off. Either way you go, today's Amazon's Prime Day sale discounts make this a great time to add a little safety and security to your roadside kit. Few things are more inconvenient (or scary) than going to start your car at night only to find its 12-volt battery has gone flat, especially if there's no one around with cables to give you a jump start. That's why for years I've been recommending that drivers keep a small portable jump starter in their trunk or emergency kit to quickly get themselves restarted and back on the road. The Noco Boost GB20 is one of my most frequently recommended models due to its compact size, excellent build quality and reliability and, most importantly, its sweet-spot cranking power for most passenger cars. Here's why I keep recommending the Noco Boost The Noco Boost is extremely small, not much larger than an airline-sized USB battery bank. It ships with a set of clamps for attaching to your car's battery and a small bag to keep everything together. Ideally, you won't have to use the GB20 frequently, so its small size is a boon for tucking the jump starter out of the way in your car's trunk, glove compartment or console. The unit charges conveniently via USB type-C and, in my experience, does a great job of sustaining its charge for months in storage, so it'll always be ready when you need it. Using the Noco Boost GB20 is even easier than jumper cables. Simply connect the positive and negative leads to the positive and negative terminals on the car's battery, power the GB20 on and then start the car. Once you're up and running, disconnect the Noco Boost and toss it back into your emergency kit -- no worrying about crossed cables, no flagging down strangers for a jump. There's even a built in 100-lumen flashlight to help you see what you're doing at night. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. The Noco Boost can also be used to charge and power your phone or other small gadgets in a pinch thanks to its weather-sealed USB type-A port, which is a nice bonus if your emergency isn't a dead battery and you need to call for help. The right size for the right price Rated to deliver up to 500 amps of peak power at 12-volts, the Noco Boost GB20 claims to deliver up to 20 starts per charge for gasoline engines up to 4.0-liters. I've never needed to jump 20 cars before getting back to a USB charger and most of today's passenger cars and small SUVs sit handily under the 4-liter mark, making the GB20 the sweet spot for most drivers. Marked down by 15% today, you can add it to your cart for just 55 bucks. However, owners of big trucks, muscly V8s or diesel powered vehicles may find themselves needing more cranking amps. Fortunately, Noco's entire line of vehicle power products is on sale. For trucks, I recommend the 1,000-amp Noco Boost GB40 which is discounted to $80 or 36% off its regular price. This upgrade isn't all that much larger than the GB20, but claims to crank up to 6.0-liter gasoline or 3.0-liter diesel engines. For the ultimate in roadside readiness, Noco's Boost Air AX65 combines a 2,000-amp portable jump starter with a battery-powered air compressor for your car's tires. It's also deeply discounted today at just $210, a savings of $90 off the regular price. Why these deals matter Finding a good portable jump starter is an easy way to add peace of mind to your or your loved one's trunk, especially if they drive an older car or have a habit of accidentally leaving their vehicle's lights on. Taking advantage of these Prime Day deals at Amazon can also leave you with more room in your budget for the rest of your emergency roadside kit.
Motor 1
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
‘She Couldn't Even Get in Her Car:' Woman Goes Out With Friends. Then Someone Patrols the Parking Lot with a Key Fob Reader
A woman is going viral for demonstrating how to unlock a key-fob-equipped car if you're locked out or the battery's dead—and sharing a frightening near-miss with a suspected fob hacker. 'What just happened to me and my friends was insane,' says Jessica Hyde (@ in a recent TikTok. Hyde explains that the incident occurred after she and her friends went out to dinner. When they returned to the parking lot, one of them couldn't get into her car. Fortunately, Hyde knew a trick. She used it to open the door and decided to share it online. As of this writing, her video has received more than 1.7 million views, with users thanking her for the quick and practical hack. What's the Hack? If your car's key fob battery dies, you're not out of luck—you can still unlock and even start your vehicle. Start by locating the physical key hidden inside the fob. Most have a button or sliding latch to release them. Use that key to manually open the driver's side door. According to Hyde, some cars have a small hidden notch under the door handle, accessible only with the physical key. The exact location varies, so look carefully. Once inside, if your car uses a push-button start, she says to try this: Hold the dead fob against the start button while pressing the brake. This might be enough for your car to detect the fob and start. If it doesn't work, check your owner's manual or call roadside assistance or a locksmith. But here's the catch: This maneuver could trigger your car alarm. (That's exactly what happened to Hyde's friend.) Capital One warns that some vehicles will sound the alarm unless the car is started within 10 seconds of mechanical-key entry. To avoid causing a scene, consult your manual or look up your car model online. Some cars have a hidden override button, while others allow you to bypass the alarm by starting the engine quickly. If your fob is completely dead and your car requires it to start, the good news is most models have a designated spot—often inside the center console or near the cupholders—where placing the fob will still allow you to press the ignition button and start the vehicle. If your alarm goes off and you need to silence it, there's always the last resort: Open the hood and disconnect the car battery by removing the black (negative) cable from its terminal. Did the Content Creator Narrowly Avoid a Scammer? Part of why Hyde was so shaken by her friend's car trouble is that she believes they may have narrowly escaped a scammer. After using the manual key to open her friend's car, Hyde says the alarm immediately went off, just as several police officers happened to be patrolling the restaurant parking lot. Naturally, they approached to investigate. Hyde explained the situation. That's when she says an officer revealed a disturbing detail: Someone earlier had been seen tampering with a key fob reader. 'If your key fob is close enough to your car, they can copy your key fob encryption and get into your car and steal it,' Hyde warns. How Serious is This? In March, Fox 29 Philadelphia reported that three Hondas were stolen from residents' driveways overnight. They were all locked, with the fobs left safely inside the houses. Police believe the thieves simply walked by the homes and used a wireless key-cloning device to scan for key fob signals. Once they intercepted the codes, it was a high-tech version of hot-wiring. Most newer cars feature keyless or smart remote entry systems, allowing drivers to unlock or start the car just by having the fob nearby. But this convenience comes with risks. Police say thieves are using aftermarket scanners to detect signals, clone the fobs, and gain instant access. In some cases, criminals are placing devices under dashboards to extract vehicle data and program it into blank key fobs. The best defense is surprisingly simple: a steering wheel lock. Police note they are quite effective. Just seeing one can often scare thieves away. Meanwhile, Upper Providence police advise residents to review their home surveillance footage for any suspicious activity. Viewers Offer Tips to Keep Cars Secure A steering wheel lock isn't the only method to protect your car and its fob from potential thieves. Viewers shared additional suggestions. 'You need a Faraday key fob protector,' one commented. 'Get a small Faraday bag to keep the fob inside when you're not using it,' another added. They're referring to Faraday bags , signal-blocking pouches designed to block electromagnetic signals. By preventing the transmission of a key fob's signal, these bags help stop relay attacks, where thieves amplify and transmit the signal to unlock and steal a vehicle without touching the key. Others used Hyde's story to express frustration with modern car technology and long for simpler times. 'As a tow truck driver, please bring back keys for the ignition,' one person wrote. 'I already dislike push to start,' another commented. 'This just makes me dislike it more. They need to revert to keys in the ignition for all, or at least give the option.' 'They need to bring back cars that use actual keys,' a third agreed. Motor1 has contacted Hyde via TikTok for further comment. Now Trending 'It's an Added-In Feature, I Swear:' What Is the 'Toyota Camry Dent' and Why Is It Everywhere? 'Hours at a Time:' Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Driver Says He Loves His Car. Except for This One Thing Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Major road rule changes coming into effect across Australia from today
Several road rule changes are being introduced in Australian states and territories from today, July 1, with tougher penalties and new speed limits designed to crack down on dangerous driving behaviours. From increased fines for mobile phone use and speeding offences, to new obligations when passing roadside assistance vehicles, in some cases, non-compliance could cost hundreds and trigger licence suspensions. Drivers in multiple states are being urged to brush up on the new rules — or risk paying the price. From July 1, Victoria will require drivers to slow to 40 km/h when passing roadside assistance vehicles, including tow trucks, breakdown support and incident response units — as long as flashing lights are activated and workers are visible. The penalty: a fine of up to $961, but no demerit points. In high-pedestrian areas and school zones, there's also been a recent push to slash the speed limit to 30 kilometres per hour. Little-known road rule with $600 fine shocks Aussie drivers Drivers warned major road rule change with $961 fines 'weeks' away Road rule warning after driver cops $1,775 fine, 22 demerits in one go Starting today, NSW will apply average speed cameras to light vehicles — including cars and motorbikes — at two high-traffic locations. The cameras, already in place for heavy vehicles, will be active on a section of the Hume Highway in the state's south, and on a 15km stretch of the Pacific Highway on the Mid North Coast. A grace period with warning notices has been running since May 1, 2025, but enforcement with fines will begin from July 1. NSW is phasing out ticketless parking fines, addressing concerns over drivers unknowingly receiving fines without physical notices. As of July 1, Queensland is introducing a 3.5 per cent increase to fines across a range of offences, including speeding, seatbelt violations and mobile phone use. Distracted driving will be a particular focus, with enhanced enforcement tech and a tougher approach to infringement. Queensland is set to reduce speed limits from 50 to 40 km/h in select tourist and residential areas, including the Hervey Bay Esplanade and various urban neighbourhoods. South Australia's latest road rule change requiring drivers to slow down to 25 km/h when passing stationary breakdown service vehicles displaying flashing amber lights came into effect on May 19. The change extends the current protections for emergency vehicles and is part of a broader safety campaign. While no changes are coming in on July 1 in WA, road users in the state should be across some new initiatives recently launched. AI-powered cameras have begun detecting speeding, seatbelt non-compliance, and phone use, with enforcement to begin after a warning period concludes later this year. A three-year trial reducing speed limits on hundreds of roads in Augusta–Margaret River continues after it began in 2025 to improve safety in high-risk regional areas. Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that fines for some traffic offences in WA would increase from July 1. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
