Signs You Need a Tow vs. When You Can Drive

When something feels off with your vehicle, one of the first questions is whether it's safe to keep driving or if you need a tow. Making the right call protects you, your passengers, and other drivers — and it can prevent a small problem from becoming a major repair.

When You Should Call for a Tow

You should call for a tow if: your engine is overheating and the temperature gauge is in the red, you see smoke or smell burning, your brakes feel spongy or aren't stopping the vehicle properly, your steering suddenly becomes stiff or unresponsive, or you hear loud grinding or knocking noises from the engine or transmission. Any of these could indicate a serious mechanical issue that makes driving unsafe or could cause catastrophic damage to your vehicle.

When It's Safe to Keep Driving

You can likely drive carefully to a repair shop if: a warning light is on but the vehicle feels and sounds normal, your air conditioning has stopped working, a power window or lock has failed, or you have a minor fluid leak but levels are still within range. In these cases, drive gently, keep an eye on gauges, and head straight to your mechanic — but you don't necessarily need a tow.

Roadside Assistance Instead of a Tow

For roadside issues like a flat tire, dead battery, lockout, or empty fuel tank, you don't need a tow at all — you need roadside assistance. Roadside Heroes can change your tire, jump-start your battery, unlock your car, or bring you fuel right where you are, getting you back on the road without the cost of a tow.

When in Doubt, Call

When in doubt, call us. Our operators can help assess the situation over the phone and recommend the right service — whether that's a tow, a jump start, or simply advice on whether it's safe to drive. We'd rather you call and not need a tow than drive when you shouldn't.

The Cost of Getting It Wrong

Remember: the cost of a tow is always less than the cost of a major engine repair, a traffic accident, or a roadside emergency. When safety is in question, err on the side of calling. Roadside Heroes is at (671) 864-HERO, 24 hours a day, anywhere on Guam.