Roadside guides you can use.
Each short guide walks San Diego drivers through a breakdown job they should know how to handle, with clear steps and a plain note on the point where you should stop and call for a tow.
Which roadside fixes can you do on your own?
How to change a flat tire
Start by checking that your spot is safe, firm and level. If it isn’t, keep your seatbelt on unless you see fire or smoke, and call for help.
What to do when stuck in sand or mud
Ocean Beach, Fiesta Island, and the Carrizo Badlands swallow vehicles every week. Your first job is to keep the situation from getting worse.
Prepare your vehicle for a tow
Spend a few minutes getting ready before the truck shows up, and you’ll save time, prevent damage, and keep the whole call moving.
Car will not start - what to check first
Run through five quick checks before you call for a tow. Often the car is fine and only needs a jump, a fuse, or a key the transponder recognizes.
Flatbed vs wheel-lift towing: which is safer?
Both methods are accepted ways to tow, yet picking the wrong one can wreck your car. Learn which fits which vehicle and when to refuse a wheel-lift.
Is a tow truck allowed to turn down my car in California?
Sometimes, yes. California law and a tow operator’s own policy allow refusal in certain cases. Here’s when, plus your San Diego rights.
How to verify a San Diego tow company is licensed
Anyone can get a flatbed and a phone line. Five minutes spent checking an operator’s CA license, CHP registration and insurance pays off.
When is it time to stop and call for a tow?
Six signs the problem is beyond DIY. Shut the system off and call, since running it with these issues can turn a cheap fix into a costly replacement.
- You are on the shoulder of a busy freeway
The shoulders of I-5, I-15, I-8 and I-805 rank among San Diego’s riskiest places to stand. Stay in your buckled-up vehicle and call for a tow.
- The vehicle was in any collision
A minor collision can still harm the suspension, brakes, or steering rack, and you often can’t see the damage. Only drive the vehicle after a crash if law enforcement has cleared the scene and it looks intact.
- Ignition or dashboard is smoking
An electrical fire can go from smoke to flames in less than a minute. If you can, pull over, shut off the engine, step out, and call 911 and a tow.
- Smoke or steam from under the hood
Overheating or a serious oil or coolant leak? Keep driving and the engine can seize, a $4,000+ repair. Pull over safely, then call for a tow.
- The vehicle is AWD, 4WD, or electric, and its drive wheels can’t turn freely
A wheel lift can destroy the drivetrain on an AWD or EV, so flatbed only. Give the dispatcher your make and model when you call.
- Water, mud, or sand up to the door sills
Water-damaged electrical systems can spark fires without warning, so don’t try the ignition. Flatbed it out of the terrain to a shop for assessment.
Where can you find towing laws and safety resources?
Private property towing under California Vehicle Code 22658
This California statute spells out private property towing rights, the signs that are required, and how the release process works.
CHP.ca.govCalifornia Highway Patrol - San Diego
Use this for highway incidents and reports. Call 911 in an emergency, or dial #399 from your cell phone to reach CHP for non-emergencies.
CA DMVSan Diego DMV - Abandoned Vehicle Process
Guidance from the California DMV on how to report an abandoned vehicle on private property and have it removed.
AAAAAA Southern California - Roadside Membership
The main motor club in San Diego County for roadside coverage that stands on its own.
Still stranded? Request a referral.
Still need a hand? Call any time of day or night, holidays too, and we’ll connect you with an independent tow operator who quotes the price.