CAR TROUBLES
Tow Truck for Flats
When you have a flat tire, you may not want to fix it yourself. You can call most tow truck companies to have someone come out and change the tire for you.
What to know about towing a flat
Spare tire change-out
The tow truck driver will use your spare tire and possibly your car jack to replace the flat tire. If you don't have a spare, you may be facing a tow to a service station or car repair shop.
Wrecker and wheel-lift trucks
A wrecker uses a winch and chains hooked to the underside of your car to lift two wheels. A wheel-lift uses a hydraulic arm to scoop up and secure the wheels. Both work well when only two wheels need to leave the ground.
Flatbed tow trucks
A flatbed lifts the whole car onto its bed. This is often a better way to transport your car and is necessary in many situations.
What the dispatcher should ask
What year, make and model? What problem (accident, flat, stuck, breakdown)? Where are you? Can the car roll? Automatic or manual? Front-, rear-, or all-wheel drive? Do you need a flatbed?
Tow truck scams
If YOU DIDN'T CALL for a tow truck, be careful — unscrupulous operators may seem helpful but will cost you a ton of money.
Watch the Tow Truck Scams warning on YouTube.
Watch on YouTubeCost note
Final cost for a tow truck can be pretty expensive. Even with insurance, you may pay $50–$100 or more if you exceed the allowed towing distance or have a co-pay for changing the tire.
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