Instances in Which a Towing Service Is Required
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Instances in Which a Towing Service Is Required
When Do You Need a Tow Truck? Situations Where Towing or Roadside Help Is Required
When to Call a Towing Service in Baltimore depends on your vehicle’s condition and safety. You need a tow truck whenever your vehicle is unsafe or impossible to drive. That includes accidents, engine overheating, transmission or drivetrain failure, a flat tire with no usable spare, and being stuck. For a dead battery, an empty tank, or a locked door, roadside assistance can often fix the problem on the spot without a tow.
You rely on your vehicle for work, errands and everything in between, so a breakdown rarely comes at a good time. This guide walks through the most common situations where drivers in Baltimore, MD call for help, so you know what to do. Not sure which one applies to you? Contact us and describe what happened, or call (410) 940-7999.
Common Situations Where Towing or Roadside Assistance Is Needed
When your vehicle breaks down, roadside assistance is available to help. These are the situations where you should call a towing service or roadside assistance provider.
Dead Battery
A dead battery is one of the most common reasons for a roadside call, especially in cold weather. You may not have jumper cables, or you may not know how to use them. Jump-starting a car without the proper procedure can damage electronics or cause injury. A roadside technician can jump start your car safely. If the car will not start after a jump, or the battery dies again soon after, the battery or charging system may need repair, and a tow to a shop is the next step.
Running Out of Fuel
Running out of gas is easy to do when you are busy, and it can leave you stranded far from a station. Instead of walking, call a roadside assistance service. Fuel delivery saves time and gets you moving again. If delivery is not an option, we can tow you to the nearest station or shop.
Locked Out of Your Car
Locking your keys inside is stressful, but it happens to everyone. Stay calm, move to a safe spot, and call for car lockout service. Trained roadside technicians open vehicles quickly and without damage to your doors, windows or locks. Never force a door open yourself, since that can damage the lock or weather seals.
Flat Tire With No Usable Spare
If you have a good spare, we can change your tire at the roadside. If you have no spare, or the spare is flat, we tow you to a tire shop. Do not keep driving on a flat. It can destroy the tire, damage the wheel and make the car hard to steer.
Accident or Collision Damage
After a crash, move to a safe place if you can, turn on your hazard lights and check on everyone. If the vehicle leaks fluid, the wheels or steering look damaged, or you are unsure it is safe, do not drive it. Call for a tow so the vehicle can be moved without further damage.
Other Mechanical Problems
Many technical issues can keep you stuck on the road, from engine overheating and a failed alternator to gearbox or transmission failure. In any of these situations, contact an emergency roadside help service. They can either repair a minor problem on the spot or tow your vehicle to a nearby auto shop. For all-wheel-drive and low vehicles, a flatbed tow is the safest choice.
Signs You Should Not Drive Your Vehicle
If you see any of these, stop driving and call for a tow rather than risking more damage or an unsafe trip:
- A red warning light, or a flashing check engine light
- Steam, or a temperature gauge climbing into the red
- Smoke, a burning smell, or visible fluid leaking underneath
- Grinding, clunking or loud knocking from the engine or drivetrain
- Brakes that feel soft or do not respond properly
- A car that slips out of gear, or will not move at all
- A damaged wheel, axle or steering after a collision
What to Do While You Wait for Roadside Assistance
- Pull over as far from moving traffic as you safely can, and turn on your hazard lights.
- Stay inside the vehicle with your seatbelt on if you are on a busy road or highway.
- Give us your exact location: a cross street, exit number or mile marker.
- Have your vehicle make, model and year ready, and say where you want it towed.
- Do not attempt repairs next to moving traffic.
Need a Towing Service in Baltimore, MD?
- Reach out to A&A Towing & Roadside Service for the job. Call us at (410) 940-7999 today. You get a real price before we dispatch, and no membership is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Towing and Roadside Assistance
When should I call a tow truck?
Call a tow truck when your vehicle is unsafe or impossible to drive: after an accident, a major breakdown, overheating, transmission or drivetrain failure, a flat tire with no usable spare, or when you are stuck.
Do I need a tow if my car battery is dead?
Not always. A jump start often gets the car running. If it does not start after a jump, or the battery or charging system has failed, a tow to a repair shop is the next step.
Can a tow company bring gas if I run out of fuel?
Many roadside services offer fuel delivery. Call (410) 940-7999 to ask about fuel delivery or a tow to the nearest station.
Can a tow company unlock my car?
Yes. We offer car lockout service and aim to open your vehicle without damage.
Is it safe to drive with the check engine light on or an overheating engine?
A steady check engine light may allow a short trip to a shop, but a flashing light, overheating or a red warning light means stop driving. Continuing can cause severe engine damage, so call for a tow.
