Stranded or Need a Tow?
Prioritize your safety and understand which roadside service may fit your situation.
Common signs and symptoms
- Vehicle disabled or unable to move safely
- Flat tire, dead battery, lockout or out of fuel
- Breakdown on a highway, shoulder or unfamiliar road
Try DIY or Find Professional Help
Start with safe, basic checks when appropriate—or get a professional involved. You can choose either path at any time.
What you can safely check
- If possible, move to a safe location away from moving traffic without creating additional risk.
- Turn on hazard lights and follow local road-safety guidance.
- Use your vehicle's roadside-assistance membership or insurer contact information if available.
- Record the vehicle location, direction of travel and nearby landmarks for a roadside provider.
Services you may need
- Flatbed or standard towing appropriate to the vehicle
- Jump-start, lockout or tire assistance
- Recovery or specialist transport when needed
CarHelpSOS is currently an information platform. Provider matching and request intake are not yet active; this page cannot dispatch or book a service.
Prepare for Professional Help ↓- For immediate danger, injury or a vehicle blocking traffic, call emergency services.
- Never stand between vehicles or in active traffic lanes.
- Do not attempt roadside repairs in an unsafe location.
If anyone is injured or in immediate danger, call 911. Do not rely on this website for emergency response.
What to tell a service professional
Have these details ready
- Exact location and nearby landmarks
- Vehicle make/model and whether it can roll or steer
- Nature of breakdown and any safety hazards
- Destination preference and roadside coverage
Questions worth asking
- Can you explain the inspection or diagnosis process?
- Can you provide a written estimate before work begins?
- What does the price include, and are there additional fees?
- What warranties or guarantees apply to the work?
- What are the expected timing and next steps?
Towing & Roadside: common questions
Should I request a flatbed tow?
Some vehicles, including certain all-wheel-drive and electric models, require specific towing methods. Consult the owner's manual and tell the towing provider your vehicle details.
Can CarHelpSOS dispatch a tow truck immediately?
No. CarHelpSOS is not an emergency dispatcher and does not guarantee provider availability.
Can CarHelpSOS arrange this service today?
Not at this time. This page offers information and preparation guidance. Independent providers set their own availability, pricing and service terms.