Tow truck
The most reliable option if the car cannot move, the steering or brakes are damaged, or you suspect a serious engine or gearbox fault. The downside is the wait, especially at night and far from towns.
Reviews
Reviews of the ways to get help on the road
When your car stops, there are usually several options: wait for a tow truck, get a mechanic out, ask a friend to tow you or deal with it yourself. Each carries its own cost of getting it wrong, and the right choice depends on the fault, the weather, the location and your experience.
Good help is not the fastest kind, but the kind after which the car does not need another repair.
We review ways of getting help, not companies: there are no service names, rankings or prices here. For each option we describe when it makes sense, what you risk and what to think about in advance.
Ways to get help on the road
The five options you usually have to choose between.
Roadside repair
Suits a flat battery, a puncture or an empty tank. If the mechanic fixes it, you drive on under your own power. If not, you will still have to wait for a tow truck.
A tow from a friend
Convenient over a short distance in light traffic if both drivers are experienced. The towed car needs working steering, plus a reliable rope or bar and signals agreed in advance.
Insurance or manufacturer assistance
Some insurance policies and new-car programmes include roadside assistance or recovery. Terms vary, so find out in advance exactly what is covered and keep the details to hand.
Fixing it yourself
Sensible in simple cases: changing a wheel on level ground, topping up fluid, jump-starting from another car. If the fault is unclear or the spot is dangerous, it is better not to take the risk.
Catalogue of English-language articles
This is where standalone articles written for English-speaking drivers will appear. Each one is prepared with English-language readers and the roads they drive in mind; they are not translations from other languages.
- GTA 6 Gameplay Coaching and Skills: Player FAQ
Questions about GTA 6 coaching before launch: which open-world skills carry over from GTA V, what a coach can realistically teach and what to check first.
- A closer look at Final Fantasy XIV news, guides and game resources: Consumer Decision-Making
How to judge Final Fantasy XIV news, guides and service listings: official versus community sources, three common scenarios, and the risks worth weighing.
- ARC Raiders: Raids — Player Experience Analysis
A practical look at ARC Raiders raids: how the extraction loop feels, what to prepare before deploying, common mistakes, and realistic alternatives to carries.
- Aion 2 leveling: Useful Resources and Planning Tips
Planning Aion 2 leveling after the global launch: realistic sessions, which resources to trust, how flight and PvP affect routes, and account safety basics.
What the editors are working on
- What to do if you break down on a road with no hard shoulder
- Breaking down with children or pets on board: keeping everyone safe
- Driving abroad: what to carry and how to call for help in another country
- Waiting for roadside help in extreme heat or cold
Editorial rules
- Articles in this catalogue are written separately for each language version and are not translations.
- Some articles link to third-party websites, including gaming services; we do not control their content, prices or terms.
- We do not publish advertising for towing services or garages, rankings, prices or reviews.
Tow truck or towing
| Criterion | Tow truck | Towing by another car |
|---|---|---|
| Inoperative steering | Suitable | Prohibited by the rules |
| Car with an automatic gearbox | A flatbed is usually safe | Only if the owner's manual allows it |
| Driver experience needed | No, the operator loads the car | Yes, for both drivers |
| Distance between cars | Not applicable | Flexible tow 4–6 m, rigid tow bar no more than 4 m |
| Night, ice, heavy traffic | Preferable | Risky |
| Waiting time | Can be long | Depends on whether someone can tow you |
Read next
- Vehicles
The vehicles used for towing and roadside help: wheel-lift, sliding and tilt-bed flatbeds, crane trucks, on-the-spot repair and tow bars.
- Safety
How to behave on the hard shoulder after a forced stop: hazard lights, warning triangle, vest, where people should wait and what not to do.
- Questions
Answers to common questions about this guide, about tow trucks and towing, and about staying safe when you break down.
Sources
- Russian Road Traffic Regulations (sections 20.3, 20.4)
- Vehicle owner's manuals (general provisions)
Traffic rules are quoted from the Russian Road Traffic Regulations as in force on the date of preparation. Rules are revised from time to time and every car has its own quirks, so check the current text of the rules and your vehicle's owner's manual. If you drive outside Russia, check your local rules and emergency number.