- By Automadad Team
Signs your car needs towing, not a roadside fix
If the engine won't turn over at all, if there's visible fluid leaking heavily under the car, if a wheel is damaged beyond a tire swap, or if the vehicle was in a collision, it shouldn't be driven any further - even a short distance. That's when towing, not a roadside repair, is the right call.
By contrast, a dead battery, a flat tire, or a minor electrical fault can usually be fixed where the car is, without needing to move it at all.
Towing versus recovery
Towing is a straightforward transport of a car that can't be driven to a workshop of your choice. Recovery is the more involved version - a vehicle stuck off-road, rolled, or in an accident, that needs winching or specialised handling before it can even be loaded for transport.
What to have ready when you request a tow
Your location (or a landmark if GPS is unreliable), the vehicle's condition (won't start, won't move, was in an accident), and which workshop you'd like it taken to, if you already have one in mind. If you don't, that can be sorted once the vehicle is assessed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need towing instead of a roadside repair?
If the engine won't turn over at all, there's a heavy fluid leak, a wheel is damaged, or the vehicle was in a collision, it needs towing. A dead battery, flat tire, or minor fault is usually fixable where the car is.
Does Automadad handle accident recovery, not just towing?
Yes - recovery partners handle both straightforward flatbed towing and more involved accident recovery, with equipment matched to the vehicle's size and condition.
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