As a car owner, you must take care of regular maintenance to keep your vehicle running. Unfortunately, accidents happen and you may need roadside assistance one day even if you take great care of your vehicle. How can you tell that your car is about to break down? The experts at OHS Towing, in Columbia Falls, MT, share three major indications you may need a tow truck in the near future.

Watch Out for These 3 Signs Your Car’s About to Break Down

1. Leaving Behind an Oil Patch

When you pull out of a parking spot, there should only be liquid on the pavement if you parked in a puddle or if you were recently running the air conditioning. If you notice a dark spot of oil beneath your car, you may have a serious engine issue that requires immediate mechanic assistance.

2. A Smoking Engine

The only place you should see smoke coming out of your vehicle is the tailpipe. Many engines are so advanced, they won’t emit visible exhaust. If you see smoke coming out from under your hood or any other area in your car, it’s time to pull over and call roadside assistance. You could have problems with your pistons, fuel lines, or any number of crucial mechanical parts.

3. A Too-low Gas Gauge

Just about everyone has forgotten to fill up their gas tank at some point. When you suddenly notice the empty tank indicator is lit up, you should stop at a gas station immediately. If there’s not one in your vicinity, give roadside assistance a call. They’ll show up shortly with gas in hand so you can get to a station and fill up all the way. Driving on empty can cause serious damage to your vehicle and leave you stranded, so avoid this issue by keeping an eye on your gas gauge.

When you spot smoke coming out of your car, leaking oil, or a near-empty gas gauge, it’s time to take action to prevent your vehicle from incurring serious damage. To call for roadside assistance from the timely experts at OHS towing, dial (406) 892-1600. Visit the website for information on their 24/7 towing services, jump-start assistance, flatbed tow trucks, lock-out service, and used cars and parts for sale. Save their number in your phone for those surprise breakdowns and they’ll send an experienced tow truck driver to pick you up and bring you to a garage.