Roadside guides you can use.
Short driver-focused walkthroughs of the breakdown jobs every Houston driver should know. Each guide comes with step-by-step instructions and a clear line on when to stop and call a tow.
What roadside fixes can you handle yourself?
Change a flat tire on the side of the road
The difference between a 20-minute shoulder stop and an hour on the phone with a tow company is knowing where the spare and jack live before you need them.
What to do when stuck in mud or high water
Heavy rain turns low-lying streets, bayou crossings, and unpaved lots into mud and standing water fast. The first thing to do is stop making it worse.
Prepare your vehicle for a tow
A few minutes of prep before the tow truck arrives saves time, avoids damage, and makes the whole call go faster.
Car will not start - what to check first
Before calling for a tow, there are five things to check. Most of the time the car is fine and you just need a boost, a fuse, or a key that actually talks to the transponder.
Flatbed vs wheel-lift towing: which is safer?
Both are legitimate tow methods, but the wrong one can wreck your car. Here is the plain-English answer to which method belongs on which vehicle, and when you should refuse a wheel-lift even if the operator says it is fine.
Can a tow truck refuse to take my car in Texas?
Yes - but only in specific situations defined by Texas law and tow-operator policy. Here is exactly when an operator can walk away, what your rights are, and what to do if you are refused service in Houston.
How to verify a Houston tow company is licensed
Anyone can buy a flatbed and a phone number. Verifying a tow operator's TDLR license, USDOT number, and insurance takes 5 minutes and protects you from the predatory operators that make local news every year.
When should you stop and call a tow truck?
Six signs that the problem is past DIY. Turn the system off and pick up the phone - running a system with these issues turns cheap repairs into expensive replacements.
- You are on the shoulder of a busy freeway
I-10, I-45, and Loop 610 shoulders are among the most dangerous places to stand in Houston. Stay in the vehicle with seatbelts on and call for a tow.
- The vehicle was in any collision
Even light collisions can damage suspension, brakes, or the steering rack in ways you cannot see. Drive it after an accident only if law enforcement clears the scene and the vehicle is visibly intact.
- Ignition or dashboard is smoking
Electrical fires can progress from smoke to flames in under a minute. Pull over if you can, turn the engine off, get out, and call 911 plus a tow.
- Smoke or steam from under the hood
Overheating or a serious oil/coolant leak. Continuing to drive can cause a seized engine - a $4,000+ repair. Pull over safely and call for a tow.
- Vehicle is AWD, 4WD, or electric and the drive wheels will not spin freely
Dragging an AWD or EV on a wheel lift destroys the drivetrain. Always flatbed - no exceptions. Tell the dispatcher your make and model when you call.
- Water, mud, or sand up to the door sills
Water-damaged electrical systems start unpredictable fires. Do not try to start the car. Flatbed out of the terrain, tow to a shop for a proper assessment.
What towing laws and safety resources are available?
findmytowedcar.com - find a vehicle towed by the City of Houston
Search by license plate or VIN to find a vehicle towed within Houston city limits. Records update within about 2 hours of the tow. Houston has no single city impound lot - the vehicle is at whichever licensed vehicle storage facility (VSF) received it.
houstontx.govHouston Tow and Go (freeway assistance)
Free tow of a stalled or disabled vehicle to a safe spot off a Houston freeway, plus a flat-tire change with a working spare. Excludes tollways and the Katy Freeway HOT lanes; the tow must be authorized by law enforcement or Houston TranStar.
harriscountyso.orgHarris County Sheriff - Towing Information
Information on tows from unincorporated Harris County, plus findmytowedcar.org/harriscountytow, the around the clock lookup tool for Harris County (non-city) tows.
tdlr.texas.govTDLR - Tow Trucks and Vehicle Storage Facilities
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation licenses tow operators and vehicle storage facilities statewide, publishes the non-consent tow and storage fee caps, and takes license lookups and complaints.
statutes.capitol.texas.govTexas Occupations Code Chapter 2308 - towing and booting
The state law governing tow-operator licensing, signage requirements for private-property tows, and a vehicle owner's right to a tow hearing.
txdmv.govTxDMV - salvage and nonrepairable titles
TxDMV guidance on the salvage/nonrepairable title process required for a vehicle damaged to that extent, including vehicles flooded in a hurricane.
houstontx.govCity of Houston Municipal Code, Chapter 8 - non-consent tow rates
The city ordinance setting Houston's non-consent towing rate for tows that occur inside city limits.
Still stranded? Call dispatch.
If the guide didn't get you moving, call. The line takes calls around the clock.