What Is Roadside Assistance? Roadside assistance is a service that helps drivers when their vehicle has a problem while they are away from home.
A roadside problem can be something simple, such as a flat tire, dead battery, or empty fuel tank. It can also be a situation where the vehicle cannot safely continue and needs to be towed.
Knowing what roadside assistance covers can help you make a better decision when something goes wrong.
What Does Roadside Assistance Include?
Coverage depends on the provider, but roadside assistance may include services such as:
Before requesting help, ask what services are available and whether additional charges apply.
Jump Start Assistance
A dead battery can leave your vehicle unable to start.
Roadside assistance can provide a jump start when appropriate.
If the vehicle starts after the jump, remember that the battery may still be weak or another charging problem may exist.
A jump start gets the vehicle running; it does not automatically fix the cause of the battery problem.
Tire Change Assistance
A flat tire can happen because of a puncture, damaged tire, low air pressure, or another problem.
If you do not have the right tools or cannot safely change the tire where you are stopped, roadside assistance may be able to help.
Safety is especially important if the flat happens on a busy road or highway.
Emergency Fuel Delivery
Running out of fuel can leave you stranded.
Emergency fuel delivery allows a roadside provider to bring fuel to your location when you cannot safely reach a gas station.
Always confirm whether your vehicle uses gasoline or diesel before fuel is delivered.
Car Lockout Assistance
Locking your keys inside your vehicle is a common roadside problem.
Roadside assistance may include car lockout service to help you regain access.
This can be useful when keys are locked inside the cabin or trunk, lost, broken, or when a key fob is not working.
Towing
Sometimes a roadside problem cannot be fixed at the location.
For example, a vehicle may have a serious mechanical problem, accident damage, or another issue that makes driving unsafe.
In these cases, towing may be needed to move the vehicle to a repair shop or another safe destination.
When Should You Call Roadside Assistance?
You should consider calling roadside assistance when:
- Your vehicle will not start
- You have a flat tire
- You run out of fuel
- You lock your keys inside the vehicle
- Your vehicle has a problem that makes driving unsafe
- You need towing after a breakdown
Do not risk your safety trying to solve a roadside problem yourself.
Roadside Assistance vs. Towing
Roadside assistance and towing are related, but they are not the same.
Roadside assistance usually focuses on solving smaller problems at the vehicle’s location.
Towing is used when the vehicle needs to be transported because the problem cannot be safely fixed on the roadside.
For example, a dead battery may only require a jump start. A major engine failure may require towing.
What Information Should You Provide?
When you request assistance, provide as much useful information as possible.
Tell the provider:
- Your location
- Vehicle make and model
- Approximate year
- The problem
- Whether the vehicle starts
- Whether it can roll
- Tire condition
- Any accident damage
- Your preferred destination if towing is needed
Good information helps the provider understand your situation before arriving.
How to Stay Safe While Waiting
While waiting for roadside assistance:
- Turn on your hazard lights.
- Move away from traffic when it is safe.
- Avoid standing in active traffic lanes.
- Keep your phone available.
- Share your location if needed.
- Follow instructions from emergency or roadside professionals.
If your vehicle is in a dangerous location or there is an immediate threat to life, contact emergency services.
Final Thoughts
Roadside assistance gives drivers a way to get help when common vehicle problems happen away from home.
Whether you need a jump start, tire change, fuel delivery, lockout assistance, or towing, the right service can help you handle the situation more safely.
The most important thing is not to put yourself or other road users at unnecessary risk. When a problem is beyond your ability to handle safely, contact a professional roadside service provider.