Get your car out of traffic if you can, turn on your hazard lights, move yourself away from moving lanes, then call for help. If anyone is hurt or you are in immediate danger, call 911 first. For a tow, call O’Hara & Sons Towing at (267) 377-3246. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What are the first steps when my car stops working?

  1. Stay calm and keep moving if the car still rolls. Steer to the right shoulder, a parking lane, a side street or a parking lot. A few extra yards to a safer spot is worth it.
  2. Turn on your hazard lights. If you carry flares or reflective triangles, set them out only if you can do that without stepping into traffic.
  3. Set the parking brake and shift to park. Leave the wheels turned away from the road if you are on a slope.
  4. Decide whether to stay in the car. On a busy road or highway shoulder, many drivers stay buckled in until help arrives. If the car is in a travel lane or you smell smoke, get out on the side away from traffic and move well clear of the road.
  5. Call 911 if there is an injury, a fire, or the car is stuck in a lane where it can be hit.
  6. Call a tow company or your roadside provider and describe where you are.

Why does it matter that I stay away from moving traffic?

Pennsylvania’s “Move Over” law requires drivers to pass a clearly marked disabled vehicle in a lane that is not next to the disabled vehicle when possible; if they cannot, slow to no more than 20 mph below the posted speed limit. For the law to apply, the disabled vehicle must show at least two markers, such as hazard lights, caution signs or road flares. Turning on your hazards is the simplest of those. Do not count on other drivers to follow the law, though. Stay clear of the road.

What should I tell the tow company?

Dispatch will want a few things, and having them ready makes the call quick:

  • Where you are: street and nearest cross street, highway and direction, nearby exit or landmark.
  • What the car is and what happened: make, model, whether it starts, whether it rolls, any warning lights, any crash damage.
  • Where it needs to go: home, a repair shop, or our yard.
  • How to reach you: a mobile number that works at the roadside.

We keep a longer checklist in what to tell a tow truck dispatcher.

When is a tow better than a jump-start or a quick fix?

If the problem is a dead battery, an out-of-gas tank, a flat tire or a lockout, roadside help may get you moving without a tow. O’Hara & Sons lists roadside assistance for jump-starts, lockouts, fuel delivery and tire changes. If the car will not move, is leaking fluid, has crash damage, or the warning lights suggest it is not safe to drive, ask for a tow. A flatbed is often the safest way to carry a car that cannot roll normally.

Does this apply on I-95 and other highways?

The safety steps are the same, with more urgency because of speed. On a limited-access highway, stay out of the travel lanes and call 911 if the car is not fully on the shoulder. In Philadelphia, towing from a disabled vehicle on a limited-access highway shoulder is handled through the city’s rotational towing system, so the police may arrange the tow. Tell the dispatcher if you are on a highway, and follow any instruction from police on scene. We cover the I-95 corridor and tell you plainly what we can arrange.

Sources and notes

A little clarity goes a long way

GOOD QUESTIONS.STRAIGHT ANSWERS.

Should I call 911 or a tow company first?

Call 911 first if anyone is hurt, there is smoke or fire, or your car is in a lane where it could be struck. For a vehicle that is safely off the road, call a tow company or your roadside provider.

Is it safe to wait inside the car?

It depends on where you are. On a quiet side street, waiting inside with your hazards on is usually fine. On a highway shoulder or in a travel lane, many drivers prefer to wait outside the vehicle, well away from the road. If you are unsure, call 911 and follow the operator’s instructions.

Can O’Hara & Sons Towing help me at night or on a weekend?

Yes. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and you can call (267) 377-3246 at any hour. See our 24/7 towing page.

What if I am not sure what is wrong with the car?

You do not need to know. Describe what you saw, heard or felt: a noise, a warning light, a smell, steam, or the car simply not starting. Dispatch can work out whether you need a tow or a roadside fix.

Where will you take my car?

Wherever you tell us within our service area: home, a repair shop, or our yard. We serve greater Philadelphia, South Jersey and Delaware. O’Hara and Sons Automotive, our sister company on the same property, is one option if you want a repair shop, but you choose.

Need a tow now?

Call O’Hara & Sons Towing at (267) 377-3246, open 24/7. Based in Northeast Philadelphia and serving greater Philadelphia, South Jersey and Delaware. See emergency towing or contact us.