Quick answer: ask for roadside assistance if the problem can be fixed where you are — a dead battery, keys locked inside, or a flat tire with a usable spare. Ask for a tow if the car won’t start after a boost, is damaged, leaking, overheating, or has a problem that needs a mechanic.
Not every breakdown needs a tow truck. Roadside help is often quicker and cheaper. Here’s how to tell which one to ask for.
When roadside assistance is enough
- Dead battery. If the car clicks or won’t crank but the lights work, a battery boost usually gets you going.
- Keys locked inside. A lockout service gets you back in without damage.
- Flat tire with a good spare. We can change the tire so you can drive to a tire shop.
When you need a tow
- The car won’t start even after a boost.
- Warning lights are red, or the engine is overheating.
- Fluid is leaking, or you smell burning.
- The car was in a crash.
- There’s no spare, or more than one tire is flat.
- You’ve run out of fuel. We don’t deliver fuel, but we can tow you to a station.
Not sure? Read 7 signs your car shouldn’t be driven.
Why a flatbed is useful even for a roadside call
If a boost doesn’t work, a roadside-only van has to call a tow truck and you wait twice. With City Tow Truck, the flatbed is already there, so we can load the car and take it to your mechanic straight away.
What it costs
Roadside calls are a flat call-out rate. Tows are a hook-up fee plus distance. We give you the total before we dispatch. See towing rates.
Call or text 604-265-5888 and describe what’s happening. We’ll tell you which service you need.