What To Do When Your Car Breaks Down And Towing Is Necessary
Breakdowns on the road can be frustrating and take some planning to deal with. When your car won't start or stops running unexpectedly, a 24/7 towing service may be necessary to get the car to the shop for repairs.
Selecting A Towing Service
Breakdowns do not always happen close to home, so finding a 24/7 towing service in the area is not always easy. If you have roadside assistance, the membership may include towing, and the company will often assign a tow company for you.
However, if you do not have a roadside assistance membership, you may need to search for a service in the area and call them directly. If you have a smartphone or connected device that allows you access to the internet, you can search for 24/7 towing services and look at the reviews to decide which one to call.
If you are in a remote area or small town, the options may be limited, but the goal is to get the car off the road and into a repair shop, so you may have some limitations and have to choose a service that you might not know much about. You can call ahead and get pricing information and find out how long you will have to wait for the service or find that information on their website if you found the company online.
Waiting For A Tow
When you have a breakdown and are waiting for a vehicle towing service to arrive, stay with your car if it is safe. Walking along a major highway or busy road is more dangerous than staying in your vehicle most of the time. If you feel uncomfortable in the area, lock the doors and only roll down the window a small amount if someone approaches the vehicle to talk to you.
Call a friend or family member and let them know where you are and what the situation is. If something happens, it is vital that someone knows where to find you, and you may want them to come and give you are ride home when the tow truck arrives.
Place a set of warning triangles behind the car to let other drivers know you are there. If you do not have warning triangles in your car, it is a good idea to get some, and there are commercial kits available that include jumper cables, a few tools, warning flags, and a variety of other items you may need if you break down.
You can put the hood up on the car to signal a breakdown, but if the weather is bad, it is often better to leave it closed to protect the wiring and electrical components under the hood. Waiting for a 24/7 towing service to arrive may take some time, so try not to use up the batteries in your phone and watch for the driver so you can flag them down when you see them approaching.
For more information on 24/7 towing, contact a company near you.
