Experiencing a car problem while on the road can be panic-inducing for anybody. The best thing to do is to try to calm down and consider your options. Some car problems, such as a flat tire, can be easily solved if you have the right equipment and knowledge. But if you are dealing with a problem that requires a mechanic or third party help, then the safest option is to call for a towing company.
Towing companies usually have the experience to deal with all sorts of car problems. Most tow trucks also bring with them basic repair kits, so you can expect some help on-the-spot as well. It is better to trust professionals to solve your car problems, rather than to risk endangering yourself or your passengers.
What do you need a towing company for?
Here are the top reasons why you need to call a towing company:
- An accident or collision
No matter how defensively you drive, accidents can still happen. You can hit a post or road fixture, or your can be the unfortunate casualty of another person’s careless driving. Whatever the case, a fender bender or a broken window and mirrors are troublesome to deal with.
Before you call a towing company, you need to assess the damage. If it is a big collision, the accident needs to be reported to a responding police or highway patrol officer. You also need to tend to any injuries.
Call a tow truck if your car is no longer drivable. For example, your car won’t start anymore, or the level of physical damage means it can’t be safely driven by anyone. It’s also important to remember that just because the car looks drivable doesn’t mean you should take the risk. There can be hidden or internal car problems that can be dangerous to you later on in the road.
- Overheating engine
Sometimes, your car’s engine can overheat for no clear reason. Whatever the case, overheating can quickly destroy your engine. So, your first response is to pullover and shut it off. This can leave you stranded in a place that’s unfamiliar to you.
If you don’t know how to fix an overheating engine, your best option is to call a tow truck to take your car to a good mechanic nearby. This will help your vehicle to be safely and efficiently managed.
- Out of gas
You may have overestimated the level of gas in your tank, or your gas reading was wrong. A low tank can leave you stranded in a place that’s far from the nearest gas station.
An option could be to walk to get gas. This, however, is generally not recommended, especially if your car will be left alone or with children. You can also call someone else to bring gas to your car.
In these instances, the easiest solution would be to call a tow truck. Nonetheless, it’s still better to prevent this kind of stressful situation from happening by always keeping your car gassed up.
Make sure you have the contact number of a reliable tow truck
Other top reasons to call a tow truck include transmission failure, dead batteries, flat or spare tires, and falling into a ditch. If you don’t know how to fix a mechanical failure, or you simply can’t get your car to start, don’t take the risk of driving or doing an amateur repair. Call a tow truck to get you and your car to safety.
Written by the staff of Tiger Towing in Columbia, MO.